Newsletter: April 2010
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Four Spring Chores You Should Begin Today...(if you haven't already)
Ah! Springtime is officially here. If you're anything like us here
at Lucas Equine Equipment, you're dashing outdoors at the first sight of the sun,
eager to get your hands dirty.The start of spring is a perfect time to do some clean-up and repair for your horse stalls. There are four important chores that should top everyone's list to make sure your stalls are beautiful, safe and easy to operate all year long:
1. Clean, Clean, Clean.
Before you can really know what part of your stalls need repair or upgrades, you've got to clear out those cobwebs and layers of dust that have accumulated over the winter. Not only is this dirt just plain unattractive, it can also create a fire hazard and contribute to respiratory problems in both humans and our animals.
Remember, you should clean steel stall components with water and a mild dishwashing liquid, never abrasive cleaners. Never pressure-wash wooden stalls. The intense pressure can degrade the wood.
2. Inspect and Repair.
Bored horses cooped up in some of the worst winter weather can inflict wear and tear on even the most durable stalls. Take this opportunity to inspect and repair the interior of the stall.
You'll be looking for any cracked or broken
boards or exposed steel (if a horse has chewed off any paint.) Any
exposed steel should be immediately be touched up with paint. Contact
your stall manufacturer for touch-up paint to match your stall paint
color. Many manufacturers, including Lucas Equine Equipment, can provide
this.Hot dip galvanized stalls will likely need little maintenance on the coating. Powder coated or wet painted stalls may need to be touched up or painted every few years, depending on your environment.
You should also use this time to consider future prevention of this type of wear and tear. Stall design experts can offer many great solutions, such as chew guards or stronger types of hardwood.
3. Check Hinges, Tracks and Latches.
These items are the real workhorses (pardon the pun!) of any stall. Hinges, tracks and latches can make or break a stall. That's why it's important to invest in high quality hardware like this from the get-go.
Inspect each interior and exterior door and window. Are hinges operating easily? A little WD-40 can always work wonders. Replace any hinges or latches that show rust and adjust any of these items that need realignment.
Some sliding door tracks, like those from Lucas Equine Equipment, are self-cleaning; however, others may need to be freed of any built-up debris. The door carriers that slide along the track should move easily. If you have to use anything more than just a finger to slide open your doors, you likely need to replace the door carriers. Lucas Equine Equipment offers the highest quality carriers, made with durable Delrin rollers for long-lasting and easy use year after year.
4. Don't Forget
the Wash Stalls.
These areas can be breeding grounds for mold and clutter! Clean and unclog drains to help prevent standing water. Also, make sure cleaning supplies are organized and have proper storage cabinets or containers. Inspect the boards and steel in this area for cracks, mold and rust, and replace or touch up as needed.
These springtime barn chores are not only important for horse health and safety; a sparkling clean and well-maintained barn also makes your time in the barn more efficient and more enjoyable. Happy spring cleaning!
The
Anatomy of a Roller Track: What Makes Sliding Doors Roll So Well?
If you've ever had to really put your shoulder into moving a sliding barn door or stall door, you know that not all roller tracks are created equally. Read why - and how - to make sure your sliding doors are super smooth.
Carriers
This is the most important part of your track system! Look for:
- A Delrin wheel that stands up to years of constant use.
- Fully concealed ball bearings for easy movement. Requires no greasing!
- Easy height adjustment, to compensate for heaving ground.
- Spin those wheels! Check out how easily the wheels on the carrier spin - it's a key indicator for how effortlessly your door will glide. Click here to see our carrier wheels spinning in action.
Track
Tracks from Lucas Equine Equipment are designed to be maintenance-free. Here's why:
- A completely round track with no ledges keeps dirt, dust or moisture from settling in the track. Dirt, dust or moisture from settling in the track. Dirt, dust and moisture are prime suspects in tracks that stick.
- End caps keep large debris and birds' nests out of the track.
Mounting System
This often under-appreciated part of the track is vital to a well-operating system.
- Bracket
placement is the key to a long-lasting system that won't sag over time.
For doors of 400 lbs. and more, brackets should be placed every
12-inches on-center. For lighter doors, 24-inch on-center spacing is
acceptable.
- The brackets, which mount the system to the wall, must be made of heavy gauge material. We recommend mounting the brackets all the way through the stall header for extra strength.
Other Types of Track
Lucas Equine Equipment also offers a heavy duty flat track option. This track features old-world styling with bold details, coupled with the same durable and easy-glide benefits as our roundrail track.
Our stall design experts can help design your sliding track system. Click here to request a quote.
