How can you continue to form panels on a job site effectively, even in extreme temperatures?
Metal roofing contractors and fabricators operate all over the world — and portable rollformers are utilized in extreme conditions, whether that be the blustering polar deserts of Antarctica or the beating sunshine of the American West. To continue to keep your business running smoothly and stay on schedule, sometimes you may need to operate in these extreme temperatures. To do it right, you want to make sure you have the right tips and best practices in mind.
Sheffield Metals International (SMI) is a leading supplier of metal roofing products, including coils, sheets, and accessories. We’re helped countless contractors and fabricators jumpstart their businesses and find success in the metal roofing industry, and we’ve seen what problems can arise on the job site and how to tackle them.
In this article, we’ll look at how to use a rollformer in extreme temperatures, including extreme heat and extreme cold.
Metal Roofing Rollforming Best Practices in Extreme Cold
Clean Off any Snow or Ice Buildup
In cold-weather conditions, especially if there’s blowing snow, you want to ensure your machine has a canvas cover over it and is stowed indoors when not in use. This will alleviate any buildup of ice or snow that gets on or in the machine.
If you’re traveling with your machine through snowy conditions, make sure it’s covered or within an enclosed trailer. If there is any ice or snow on your machine, be sure to clean this off before use and make sure the machine is dry.
Once on site, you can take the cover off and ensure all of the metal covers are in place, which will help deter any ice, snow, or water from getting into the machine and affecting functioning.
Get the Machine Warmed Up
In extremely cold temperatures, you’ll want to make sure that the machine is warmed up and working efficiently before use, including the engine, hydraulic system and fluid, drive gears, and drive chains. All of this should be at operating temperature before you start rolling panels. Turn the machine on and let it idle for ten to fifteen minutes.
In cold weather, the hydraulic fluid will be heavier, moving like syrup, and if you start using the machine immediately, it could cause the drive system to move slowly, putting extra wear and tear on the machine.
Likewise, in colder conditions the polyurethane drive rollers might have a flat spot — once you’re at the job site, be sure to run those rollers for a few minutes with the empty machine. The flat spots will work themselves out.
The controller, too, may be running slowly at first, so it’s a good idea to give this time to acclimate as well.
Once the rollers and the machine is warmed up, you can start feeding material through the machine. And remember to make sure that the material you’re feeding is dry as you put it in.
Metal Roofing Rollforming Best Practices in Extreme Heat
Keep Your Machine Out of the Elements Until Use
Similarly to extreme cold, your rollforming machine should be kept out of extreme heat until it’s ready for use. Make sure it’s running correctly before you bring it to the job site, and travel with the metal covers on and the canvas over top. In areas like Florida, for instance, it can also rain regularly, so keeping that cover on during travel will ensure you can keep dust, debris, and water out and also keep the machine cool.
Turn Off Machine When Not in Use
While in cold weather you’ll want to make sure your machine is warmed up for use, in hot weather you want to ensure that you’re not overheating it — hydraulic fluid tends to heat up faster and stay hotter in warmer conditions. If you’re not using the machine, be sure to turn it off to keep that hydraulic fluid temperature down.
Also, if possible, try to keep your rollformer in nearby shade — this will keep it considerably cooler than if it was in direct sunlight.
Tips for Operating Rollformers in Extreme Temperatures
Maintain a Reliable Service Schedule
Keeping your rollforming machine reliably serviced will give you confidence that it will operate as it should when you get in extreme conditions. Unless your machine is very old, it should operate in those weather conditions as it would in normal temperatures, and you shouldn’t have to do add anything external such as lubricant to make it run correctly. Be confident in the machine’s abilities and make sure you’re getting it serviced on a regular, consistent basis.
Contact Your Manufacturer if Issues Arise
If you do encounter an issue on a job site, it’s a good idea to contact your manufacturer or distributor sooner rather than later. You could spend hours tinkering with a machine in the blowing snow, trying to figure out what’s wrong, or you could get in touch with an expert who can help you diagnose the problem quickly.
Make Safety a Top Priority
Even though sometimes you may be able to get the job done even in harsh weather conditions, it’s important to keep safety in mind. If the conditions are especially bad, it might be a better idea to delay work and wait until things have cleared — this will help avoid any mistakes caused by abnormal weather conditions and promote safety during the project.
Where Can You Find Assistance for Operating Rollformers in Extreme Temperatures?
If you do have to operate a rollformer in extreme temperatures, it’s essential to follow best practices so that you’re still running quality panels. Remember to reach out to your provider if any issues arise — Sheffield Metals’ sister company, and one of the leading providers of rollforming machines, New Tech Machinery, is ready to assist.
Feel free to check out our other articles on metal roofing installation on the job site:
How to Install a Standing Seam Metal Roof from Start to Finish (youtube.com)
Roofing Contractor or Installation Problems: Top 5 Issues to Watch For (sheffieldmetals.com)
Or, contact the Sheffield Metals team today to get your questions answered and speak to our Technical Team.
