/ By edd / spiral-freezers/ / 0 Comments

Feeding Your Pet Fresh Foods

[ad_1]

Okay, I admit it. I am fascinated, overly curious, not quite obsessed with the idea of “you are what you eat.” If you could see me, you’d say I need to lose more than a few pounds and certainly don’t seem to practice what fascinates me so. I know in my gut (literally), that my consumption of overly processed foods, restaurant lunches, sweets and chips are slowly but surely going to cause me major harm and very probably chop a few years off my life. To my credit, I am getting up early every morning and exercising in an effort to, freif not lose weight, at least stave off the diabetes that runs in my family. So, if my family needs to eat better, what about my pets?

Hopefully, you’ve all read my article on the horrible things that are found in commercial, pet foods. If not, check it out at the link below. When I found out what was in the kibble we were feeding both our dog and cat, I researched the alternatives and came up with a great all natural dry pet food. I’ve been extremely happy with the results of the switch with Annie, our cat, but for some reason, Dax just doesn’t go for it. In fact, he really isn’t crazy about dry food in general. He will eat it when he gets hungry, but let’s just say he doesn’t seem to enjoy his food. I’ve tried several brands and nothing flips his bippy. On the other hand, he jumps for joy when I give him a scrambled egg or chicken scraps. And salmon! Katy, bar the door!

So here we are. While I’m trying to convince myself to feed my human family better, maybe Dax would be better off, too, with a more natural diet of fresh foods. I’m not committing to anything at this point, but I’m willing to do some research and see how convincing it is. Want to go along?

You know, when I think back to visits at my grandparents’ farm, I never saw my grandmother feed their dog anything but table scraps. I don’t think I ever saw a bag of dog food at their house. Now, today, table scraps would mean pizza, French fries and other bad examples of human “food.” But not back then. My grandparents raised grass fed beef, which they slaughtered and ate. My grandmother had a huge garden and Papa had acres of corn. They grew what they ate and the scraps that Beau got were good, healthy, all-natural and pesticide free.

So, the first question that comes to mind is that of total nutrients. I know the premium dry foods I have been buying assure me that they are formulated to supply all the nutrients Dax needs. So how can I provide everything my dog needs in a homemade diet? Well, let’s see what the experts have to say. They tell me to aim for variety to ensure a balance of nutrients.

They tell me that my dog and cat are natural carnivores and that meat and other protein sources should be high on the list of ingredients in this new way of eating. They also tell me to feed the meat raw. Okay, now wait a minute. That just grosses me out. What about e-coli and salmonella and all those other nasties found in raw meat? Well, it seems that your dog’s stomach has a much higher acid content than your’s and can handle raw meat just fine. In fact, raw meat is much higher in nutrients that cooked meat.

Interchange lean meats such as turkey, liver, mackerel, chicken, tuna, heart, lean hamburger, duck, rabbit or fish. Try ground meats for convenience and ease of eating.

Meat alone should not be the only source of protein for our critters. There are lots of other ways to beef up the protein intake. Eggs are an excellent, low-cost source of low-fat protein. Again, experts recommend feeding them raw. Try cottage cheese, too. Whole grains are another cost-effective source of high quality protein as well as carbohydrates and an array of vitamins and minerals. Grains, however, should definitely be cooked before feeding to aid in digestion. The most cost effective sources of good grains are oatmeal, cornmeal, millet and bulgur (whatever that is).

The list goes on. Beans and other legumes such as split peas and lentils are great sources of protein. Cook them just like you would for your family. These are good to cook in larger quantities and freeze in meal portions.

Okay, we’ve got protein covered. What’s next? Vegetables. Veggies are vital for adding vitamins, minerals and roughage. Some can be fed raw, such as grated carrots, squashes, lettuce and other greens, and grated beets. Others like corn, peas, green beans, and broccoli need to be cooked. Please! No canned vegetables! Our focus here is on fresh foods. If the vegetables are not organically grown, be sure to wash them thoroughly, even use a little soap and then rinse thoroughly.

Now that the basics are taken care of, the next thing the experts say we need to consider is supplements. Evidently, both cats and dogs, but especially dogs, have a high calcium requirement. Calcium can be added to a fresh food diet in several ways. A common source of calcium is bones. This is where experts take very different paths. Some advocate feeding your dog raw bones. Others are opposed based on the fact that cow bones can contain high levels of lead or can splinter. Those that oppose raw bones recommend the use of bone meal. Now, let me stop and stress right here that they are not referring to the bone meal found at your local garden center. It’s toxic to animals. The bone meal recommended for feeding is that found in health food stores recommended for human consumption or some say, better yet, a bone meal made especially for animals. I’m thinking a large pet store might be a good source or maybe a good feed store.

A great source of natural calcium can be found in something we all through in the trash: egg shells. Who knew? In his book, Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats, Dr. Richard Pitcairn recommends washing eggshells right after cracking and letting them dry. Bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes and then crush into a fine powder. This can then be sprinkled on your pet’s food. If you prefer, you can even crush calcium tablets into a powder. Don’t give them to your pet whole.

Other recommended supplements include nutritional or brewer’s yeast for its B-vitamins, iron and other nutrients; oils such as fish oil and cod liver oil for Omega-3 and Omega-6 benefits; Vitamin E is a natural anti-oxidant and can be found in wheat germ or just puncture and squeeze a capsule over your pet’s food.

So, the last question that comes to mind is this: I’ve always heard that a dog needs dry, crunchy food to help keep his teeth clean. This is still true with a fresh food diet. A good, all natural, crunchy dog biscuit, fed once or twice a day will help exercise gums and clean teeth.

This is a very brief overture to the world of fresh food feeding for pets. I know I don’t feel guilty anymore for feeding Dax meat scraps and eggs. If you want to know more, please check my website often. I will be posting more in-depth articles on this topic. In the meantime, happy eating!

[ad_2]

Source by Sherry Massey

/ By edd / spiral-freezers/ / 0 Comments

These 5 Maintenance Tricks Can Help You Avoid Costly Refrigerator Repair

[ad_1]

Of all the pieces of technology in your kitchen, none has more utility than the trusted fridge. It not only stores all of your foods, beverages, and produce, but it keeps them safe to eat and lengthens their time before spoilage. Not only that, but if you decide to store foods for a substantial period of time, the freezer can store food for years. With all this utility it is easy to see why having any failures in this useful appliance can be seen as a massive inconvenience. One that can cost in time, money wasted, and repair costs. Fortunately, there are some maintenance tips you can use to make sure your fridge stays in top working order. Here are 5 maintenance tricks that can help you avoid a costly refrigerator repair.

1. Use it!

This may seem like a no-brainer, but fridges work best when they have food mass inside to keep cool. Once food is brought up to its proper temperature for storage it acts like a cooling element itself, creating synergy and helping the unit to continue functioning and cooling other items inside the fridge. Units that a sparsely stocked will work harder maintaining proper temps.

2. Set the thermostat

A fridge should be set somewhere around 37 degrees and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The goal is to have food chilled just enough so that bacteria cannot grow, yet warm enough so foods do not freeze unnecessarily. Sometimes a thermostat will be set above freezing however certain areas will still freeze soft foods with high water content. Be careful to adjust the temps so food does not get damaged.

3. Inspect the door seals

All the cool air that the unit works so hard to create needs to stay inside the unit! Make sure you check the door seals for breaks and leaks. Also, any damage to seals may make it harder for the door to shut causing cool air to spill out throughout the day or night. This could lead to food spoilage or sickness if you consume food unknowingly.

4. Clean condenser coils

A fridge has coils? Most do. In the back. If you haven’t inspected your unit in awhile, it may be useful to pull it away from the wall and inspect the back. You want to clean off any dust or debris from the unit and make sure all venting is clear of dust as well.

5. Keep the door shut

This also seems like a no brainer. However, sometimes people hold the door open and begin and end a conversation without realizing they are letting out all the cold air. Also, if the power goes out, make sure to quickly retrieve items in the unit and shut the door as quickly as possible.

Use these tips to keep your unit working at its best!

[ad_2]

Source by Christopher Rivera

/ By edd / spiral-freezers/ / 0 Comments

6 Refrigerator Repair Tips That Can Help You

[ad_1]

If you are on this page, chances are that your refrigerator is not working properly. In this article, we are going to share with you a few tips that will help you with your DIY refrigerator repair projects. With these tips in your mind, it will be a lot easier for you to perform the repair jobs without the help of a professional. Read on to find out more.

Freezer not Working at all

If your refrigerator does not work at all, your first step is to check if it is properly plugged in. You can also try plugging it in another outlet to see if it turns on. Apart from this, you can also check the circuit breaker and the fuse to make sure they are fine.

Runs Constantly

If the machine continues to run without tripping, you may want to check to find out if the condenser coils are free of dust accumulation. Besides, there should be plenty of space behind the machine for air circulation. The door of the machine should also be closed properly. If there are no problems of this sort, you may want to get in touch with the professional.

Temperature either too Cold or Hot

Generally, the temperature inside a refrigerator is between 36 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If the refrigerator section is too cold or too hot, the machine will continue to work hard. The compressor and freezer fan should be working properly. If one of these fans is operational, your machine will not be able to keep the stuff cool.

Door Seal Problem

If the door of the machine does not close properly, the problem may be with the gasket or door hinge. If you need to replace these items, you can buy them at a local hardware store or at an online store. But if these two items are not defective, keep the refrigerator door closed and contact a repair professional.

The Light doesn’t Turn off

If the light of your refrigerator remains switched on even after the door is shut, you may want to check the light to find if it is warm. If the light does not switch off, the problem may be with the switch of the refrigerator door. The good news is that you can purchase this switch online or at a local hardware store.

Leakage

If you see water under your refrigerator or around it, chances are that the water is not draining into the pan. In this case, the problem may be with the seal of the freezer door. You need to get it fixed to solve the problem.

Long story short, these are just some of the tips that will help you identify problems with your refrigerator and get them fixed on your own. But if you are unable to detect a problem and fix it yourself, we suggest that you hire the services of an appliance repair professional.

[ad_2]

Source by Shalini M

/ By edd / spiral-freezers/ / 0 Comments

Pizza Has All the Major Food Groups

[ad_1]

In this very hectic world, meal time can be such a hassle. It seems hard to squeeze in a balanced diet when you have to do so many things throughout the day. As such, people are always on the look out for quick meals that provide all the necessary nutrients in one bite. If this is the case with you, then you need not look further than the yellow pages. The complete meal has long been around that you are probably eating it more often than you notice. Still puzzled as to what this complete food is? It is none other than the pizza.

For many, pizza may just be a snack or junk food, a fattening substance of empty nutritive value. But contrary to this common notion, the pizza can potentially be a healthful meal that can be both filling and nutritious. While it is true that wolfing down six big slices of pizza in one sitting can definitely make one fat, eating it in the right amounts can just be as healthy as eating a serving of salad. What makes pizza so good is that it has all the food groups recommended by nutritionists and doctors for a proper nutrition.

Here is a run down of the types of food that can be found in most pizzas.

Pizza Has Grain

The basis of any pizza is the crust. It is the binder of the whole pie, where all the ingredients are situated. Crust is simply bread, which is usually made of flour. This is a rich source of carbohydrates which the body uses as fuel for its everyday function. The grain food group is also a good source of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for maintaining normal body processes. The pizza crust is also a source fiber, which is very necessary for maintaining the function of the digestive system.

Pizza Has Protein-Rich Foods

Pizza is rich in food products belonging to the meat group. The usual pizza can have pepperoni, Italian sausages, ground beef, ham and other meats. Some pizzas can even have chicken, veal, or lamb. These types of food are rich in protein, iron, and vitamin D, among many other vitamins and minerals. These nutrients are necessary for building muscle and developing tissue. These nutrients are also used for maintaining hair and skin.

Pizza Has Dairy Products

Aside from the crust, a typical feature of any pizza is the cheese. Nothing beats the chewy, oozing goodness of melted mozzarella on top of any pizza. Some pizzas even have other kinds of cheeses like cheddar, feta, and Gouda. Cheese, like other dairy products is rich in calcium and protein. Calcium is a necessary mineral for growing strong bones and teeth. It is also an important element for preventing diseases like osteoporosis.

Pizza Has Fruits

Another typical ingredient of a pizza is the tomato sauce. While most people would think that tomatoes are vegetables, it is basically a fruit. And like many nutritious fruits, tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, and other minerals. It is also a good source lycopene, which has been shown to help prevent cancer. Certain special types of pizzas also have other kinds of fruits. The Hawaiian style pizza has pineapple, which is another good source of vitamin C. Some Asian style pizzas have mandarin orange. There are even pizzas with avocado, which is a good source of essential fatty acids that increase the level of good cholesterol in the blood.

Pizza Has Vegetables

Pizzas also have healthy vegetables. Of course there is the vegetarian pizza that contains no meat and only vegetables. Such pizzas can very much be likened to salads and have almost the same, if not more nutrients. A pizza can have slivers of bell peppers. There can also be mushrooms. Some pizzas also have cabbage, lettuce, and other greens. Vegetables are rich in calcium, beta carotene, iron, and other vitamins and minerals.

Pizza has Oils and Sweets

Pizzas can be a good source of complex energy from fats. Authentic Mediterranean and Italian pizzas often have olive oil, which is known to be very good to the heart. Other types of oils may also be present depending on the type of pizza. Sweets can also be found in pizzas, especially those for kids.

Pizza Can Comprise a Complete Balanced Meal

If you are looking for a quick meal that is complete and healthy, then you may well be eating pizza. Of course like with any other food, it is best to keep everything in moderation. A slice or two would be fine for a meal, but a dozen may be too much. So the next time you order pizza for delivery, just be grateful for such a good and complete meal.

[ad_2]

Source by Susan Bell

/ By edd / spiral-freezers/ / 0 Comments

Once A Month Cooking Dropout Gets Over 50 Meals In Her Freezer

[ad_1]

Once a Month Cooking sounds like such a wonderful idea, but I was never able to get my act together enough to make it happen. Another thing that bothered me was that it didn’t make sense to spend the time preparing a meal and then only having one of those meals to put in the freezer. Here’s how I got over 50 meals in the freezer when I was over 7 months pregnant with 2 toddlers.

Getting these meals in the freezer happened without any conscious planning on my part and with very little extra effort. I just cooked a quadruple meal once a week for the last few months of the pregnancy. This was after 12 weeks of bedrest during the middle of my pregnancy.

Imagine my surprise when I counted the meals in my freezer one day and found such a quantity of meals available.

The beauty of this system is that you can do it as little or as much as you want to. You can cook two or three quadruple meals a week for a while and not cook at all during a time when you are not feeling well. You can also go without cooking any quadruple meals for several months if you so choose. This system is so adaptable to your needs.

I had been using this system early in my pregnancy but then had to rely on other people to bring meals when I was on bedrest. When I was able to get up and get around again, I was able to pick up where I left off.

So if you’re looking for a more simplified approach to Once a Month Cooking and want to multiply your meals quickly by using the time you are already in the kitchen, then I encourage you to try your hand at a few quadruple meals.

[ad_2]

Source by Heidi Johnson

/ By edd / spiral-freezers/ / 0 Comments

Beagle Training – The Correct Age To Start Obedience Training Your Beagle Puppy

[ad_1]

You’ve finally gotten that Beagle puppy you’ve been wanting. Now what? When does the training begin? Many Beagle owners start training at the wrong time. Some might start too early when the puppy isn’t quite ready to hold his bladder and is far from being ready to learn basic commands or obedience. Beagles are often characterized as being stubborn to train. That’s partly because some people wait until adolescence to start their training which is much too late. This article is about the when and how of your early Beagle obedience training.

What’s the best age to bring your Beagle puppy home?

Please keep in mind that a Beagle puppy should not be taken from its mother and siblings before 8 weeks of age. Your Beagle will learn many of the basic aspects of their social standing in those first few formative weeks. Puppies removed too early will often have aggression issues and may even become biters or have other social issues. It is very important that you highly socialize your Beagle with people and other dogs while they are young and as they age. Under no circumstances should a Beagle not have interactions with other dogs or people before they reach 15 months of age.

When should you begin housebreaking?

House breaking should not begin until your Beagle is between 10 and 12 weeks of age and only after your puppy has been acclimated to your home. He needs to be old enough to have the physical capability of holding it. Most trainers will tell you that crate training is the best method of house breaking your Beagle. Don’t let your human emotions make you think of a crate training as caging your Beagle. Beagles, like all other dogs, are a den type of animal and they come to regard their crate as a den; a safe place of his own where he will make a nest. Another nice thing about crate training is that it lessens the possibility of your Beagle suffering from separation anxiety. For instructions on crate training click on the link to my website below my name.

When is the best time to start basic obedience training?

Basic obedience training includes simple commands such as sit, stay, lie down, roll over, fetch, etc. This type of training should begin between the ages of 3 and 6 months. Start with the easy ones like sit and work your way up from there. This is also a good time for leash training your Beagle. Beagles are easily distracted while out walking so check out my website for good instructions on leash training your Beagle. You can train your Beagle at home or more preferably you both can take an obedience class. You can usually locate one through a local kennel club or even a local community college. Believe it or not, the human has more to learn than the Beagle when it comes to teaching him to heel and other obedience tasks. The basics are very easy and with the correct approach they can be taught in just a few days. To make the process even easier you may want to consider clicker training. Clicker training is a style of training where you first teach your Beagle that a click is equal to a reward. This can actually be done very quickly, in a matter of minutes. Once he thinks of the click as a reward the training process will be sped up drastically. Check my website for more information on this. The link is below my name.

By teaching your Beagle when he is young you instill into him that your role is that of pack leader. This is very important for a good long term relationship and a well behaved Beagle.

What comes next?

After your Beagle has completed his basic obedience training, you have a lot of time to train him in other ways. The old adage that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks is totally false when it comes to Beagles. Usually the basics are enough for most Beagle owners but other people want to go further with more complex tricks. Beagles are very adept when it comes to agility training. Agility is a sport where dogs are timed as they run through a variety of obstacles and Beagles are one of the favorite dogs for this. Check with your local kennel club to see if there are any agility clubs in your area.

One thing you won’t have to train your Beagle to do is to sniff out game animals such as rabbits. They are scent hounds and have been bred to do this naturally and that is why so many people use Beagles when they hunt. Not only do they have an incredible sense of smell but they also have a remarkable howl to keep in touch with the hunter and communicate their location and what is happening on the hunt.

If you decide to take your Beagle beyond the basics make sure that he is old enough to handle the physical stress. He should be fully developed before you have him jumping, sprinting, or diving.

For more information on training your Beagle be sure to visit my web site below. It not only contains information on obedience training but also how to handle problems such as aggression, biting, chewing, barking, etc.

[ad_2]

Source by Clayton James

/ By edd / spiral-freezers/ / 0 Comments

Air Conditioning Installation

[ad_1]

What Does Air Conditioning Installation Involve?

Tired of the oppressive heat? It seems as if heat and humidity levels break new records every summer. If you’re wondering about installing a cooling system in your home, keep in mind that newer air conditioners are quieter, more powerful, and more energy efficient than older models. Air conditioning even offers added value by reducing your energy bills.

Start at the beginning

The first step towards the installation of a cooling system in your home is to determine the size of the unit you need. An undersized air conditioner will not be powerful enough to cool your home, while an air conditioner that’s too big will make the air feel clammy from too much humidity. That doesn’t sound comfortable, does it?

The capacity of an air conditioner is measured in tons. Tonnage refers to the amount of heat that the unit can remove a home in one hour. A one-ton air conditioner can expel 12,000 BTU while a three-ton system will expel 36,000 BTU. The tonnage system of measurement is based on the fact that it takes 12,000 BTU to melt a ton of ice in 24 hours. For example, a house the size of 1,600 square feet could be well served by an air conditioning system of two and a half tons. A qualified contractor will be able to help you choose the capacity of your system according to your needs.

Installation requirements

For a house that has previously never had central air conditioning, installation often requires a new circuit breaker in your electrical panel, new wiring run through your foundation, and new ductwork, plus mounting of your new unit on metal brackets or a on concrete slab. Because work this crucial must be done properly, make sure to ask for a free quote from a reputable professional rather than wasting time trying to do it yourself. You will also avoid potentially injuring yourself.

Choosing a contractor

For your cooling system to be efficient and long-lasting, installation needs to be done correctly. Don’t take any chances. Make sure your contractor is qualified to install and maintain the equipment. The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) is a non-profit national trade association of contractors, wholesalers, and manufacturers in the industry. A section of their website is dedicated to helping you find a qualified contractor. It is also a good idea to check with your provincial authority to make sure your potential contractor’s licenses, qualifications, and insurance coverage are all up to date. Lastly, you can check with the Better Business Bureau online to find out if any complaints have been filed against the contractor.

All that’s left to do is to enjoy the cooling comfort of your air conditioning all summer.

[ad_2]

Source by Afef Ayadi

/ By edd / spiral-freezers/ / 0 Comments

Relocation "Treatment" for Seasonal Affective Disorder

[ad_1]

Moving to one of America’s sunniest spots may help those suffering from SAD

Seasonal affective disorder emotionally impacts millions of Americans every year (between 4-20% of the population, depending on who you ask), with women outnumbering men four to one. Also called “winter depression”, it usually begins in the autumn and last through the winter (although it can also occur during the summer). It frequently hits people in their early 20s and 30s, and will more often affect people living in latitudes north of 30°N, or south of 30°S (i.e. colder places with harsh winters and less sunshine). According to Wikipedia.org, “SAD is rare, if existent at all, in the tropics.”

People who find themselves losing interest in their usual activities, withdrawing from social activities, feeling sad or anxious, sleeping or eating more, or feeling irritability or heaviness in the arms and legs may have SAD. A variety of therapies exist to combat this disorder, including adding more vitamin D to a diet, using light therapy, and exercise. Another option may simply be to move to a sunnier city or town. If you’re just graduating from college or are close to retirement, why not consider moving to one of America’s sunniest spots?

According to Marcelle Pick, an OB/GYN nurse practitioner, getting outside every day “is one of the simplest ways to quickly ease the symptoms of seasonal depression.” Even spending as little as 15 minutes “connecting with nature” can be helpful, she says. Thus, folks who are not outdoorsy and typically don’t generally exercise outside, may find that if they move to the sunniest spot in the country, Yuma, Arizona, for example, they won’t need to change their routine that much—walking from the car to the office may offer enough exposure to offset winter depression. Direct sunlight through office windows is also beneficial. Or, if you’re an avid nature lover, you’ll find more opportunities to be outside if it’s sunny year-round.

To help you decide where the right spot is for you, the Internet relocation company, http://www.FindYourSpot.com, has come up with a list of 25 of the best sunny places to live in the United States. All excellent places to live and work, these top spots are ranked in order of highest percentages of sunny days for this article. Many of these cities and towns lie in the Southwest—Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado—desert regions, where annual precipitation is low. However, there are a few surprises, notably in California, Texas, and even Alabama.

Yuma, AZ: 90% sunny days;

Las Vegas, NV: 85% sunny days;

Phoenix, AZ: 85% sunny days;

Tucson, AZ: 85% sunny days;

El Paso, TX: 83% sunny days;

Flagstaff, AZ: 79% sunny days;

Reno, NV: 79% sunny days;

Sacramento, CA: 78% sunny days;

Albuquerque, NM: 76% sunny days;

Long Beach, CA: 73% sunny days;

Honolulu, HI: 71% sunny days;

Santa Barbara, CA: 85% sunny days;

Los Angeles, CA: 80% sunny days;

San Diego, CA: 73% sunny days;

Miami, FL: 70% sunny days;

Denver, CO: 69% sunny days;

Grand Junction, CO: 68% sunny days;

Salt Lake City, UT: 66% sunny days;

Cheyenne, WY: 66% sunny days;

Columbia, SC: 64% sunny days;

Boise, ID: 64% sunny days;

Rapid City, SD: 63% sunny days;

Little Rock, AR: 62% sunny days;

Charlotte, NC: 62% sunny days;

Topeka, KS: 61% sunny days;

Jackson, MS: 61% sunny days;

Birmingham, AL: 57% sunny days;

Resources

http://www.findyourspot.com

http://www.weatherexplained.com/Vol-1/Record-Setting-Weather.html

http://web2.airmail.net/danb1/usrecords.htm

http://www.chemheritage.org/educationalservices/pharm/chemo/activity/percent.htm

http://www.psychologyinfo.com/depression/sad.htm

[http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/1400/1484.asp?index=6412]

[http://www.womentowomen.com/depressionanxietyandmood/seasonalaffectivedisorder.asp]

http://www.hbci.com/~wenonah/new/sadlight.htm

[ad_2]

Source by Lizzy Scully

/ By edd / spiral-freezers/ / 0 Comments

Lubrication of Lifting Chains

[ad_1]

The life of an adequately lubricated chain is estimated to be 60 times longer than that of a dry running chain. Even temporary dry running will shorted chain life considerably.

By correct and adequate chain lubrication the problems below are significantly reduced if not prevented from occurring at all:

  • Noisy operation
  • Surface rust
  • Joint rust
  • Stiff joints
  • Twisted pins
  • Loose pins
  • Broken link plates
  • Broken pins
  • Unacceptable chain elongation

60% of all chain defects can be identified as relating to incorrect lubrication. It is common for users to assume they have lubricated their chains well but nevertheless friction corrosion, twisted pins, metallic friction, stiff joints, noisy operation and pitting still occur. This is always the case whenever the applied lubrication product adheres to only the exterior and does not penetrate into the chain joints. This situation occurs whenever the lubrication product is not capable of flowing between the link plates and pins. Ensuring that the lubrication is applied to chain when it is in a slack condition will avoid this problem.

Correct cleaning of chains – If a chain has become so soiled during operation that thorough penetration of the lubricant is not guaranteed then the chain must be cleaned. This must be done only with a paraffin derivative. It is not advisable to clean with cold cleansing agents or even caustic and acidic agents. These may lead to direct chain damage.

Chain cleaning using steam jet equipment – Substantial soiling of lifting chains may occur at short intervals under specific conditions of use. In these circumstances it may be necessary to clean the chains with steam jet equipment. This should be done exclusively without the use of aggressive or caustic cleaning agents containing chlorine. Pure water or steam is the agent that will be produce the least damage. It is necessary to understand that after such cleaning the chain has not only been thoroughly cleaned but also totally ‘degreased’. In this condition, particularly owing to the presence of water, the chain is subject to extremely rapid and dangerous corrosion. A film of water will remain longest in the chain joint, i.e. between the contact faces of the link bore and pin surface producing corrosion, stiffness and pitting. All experts generally accept that such corrosion is the principal cause of premature chain damage and lifting chain failure.

Suggested cleaning method when using jet equipment – The following procedure is suggested if such cleaning methods can not be avoided:

  1. Cleaning – Clean chain with steam or hot water, using no additives whatsoever
  2. Compressed Air – Immediately after cleaning, remove the water from the surface of the chain and from the inside of the joints using compressed air. Move the chain several times while doing so.
  3. Re-lubricating – Ensure that chain is in a slack condition and immediately spray or brush with preservative and lubricant. When doing so move the chain an adequate number of times to ensure the lubricant will actually be capable of penetrating the joint. It is recommended that the chain be fully immersed in the lubricant to give the most satisfactory penetration.

Products to be used – It is suggested that the following characteristics are required for a good standard of lubrication:

  • Adequate corrosion protection and lubrication ability
  • Ability to penetrate through water
  • Continuously viscous after application
  • Good adhesion properties
  • Layer thickness and protective film able to withstand later mechanical aggression – such as pelting rain and hail.

[ad_2]

Source by Peter C Church

/ By edd / spiral-freezers/ / 0 Comments

Metal Fabrication Processes and Equipment for Production of High Performance Products

[ad_1]

Metal fabrication refers to the process of combined operations that are used to make something out of metal. The equipment used to perform the operations are: metal shears, laser cutting machines, water-jets, turret punches, machining centers, press brakes, rollers, and welding machines.The most commonly used types of metals are carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Most metal fabricators buy metal in the shapes of sheet, bar, and tubing to begin the fabrication process.

Metal sheets are used as a starting basis for a very large variety of metal products and can be purchased in a variety of gauges or thicknesses. When the thickness of the sheet is 3/16″ or greater, it is then referred to “plate”. Sheets are fabricated into thousands of different types of items such as industrial machinery, augers, conveyors, electronic enclosures, brackets, machine components, appliances, food processing equipment, just to name a few.

The first process of sheet metal fabrication is often to either shear, laser cut, or punch shapes into it. The equipment used to perform these steps is a metal shear, a laser, and a turret punch. Sometimes all three of these operations may be used while the metal is still in a flat shape. Once the basic flat shape is achieved, the metal goes to the press brake machines to make the bends. This process is called forming. Dies in a variety of shapes are used in the press brake to make one bend or a series of bends to form the metal as specified on the prints. At this point, some projects may be complete and can then be shipped to its end use, but often it goes to the welding tables next.

Welding is a true art in itself. It is the job of the welder to take a pile of cut and formed shapes, read the prints, then weld the metal pieces together for the final product. There is a plethora of welding techniques that can be used and it is important for the welder to use the appropriate procedure in order to get a good penetrating weld that will not fail. Welders must know how to deal with the expansion and shrinking of metal as it is heated during the welding process, then cools. Many metal fabrications, especially machine parts, have narrow tolerances that must be met. Fixtures are widely used by welders to help them quickly put the pieces together and hold them in the right place while they are welding them together.

Metal tubing and barstock is another common item purchased by metal fabricators. Railings and machine frames are two very common places that metal tubing and bar is used. Tubing is made in square, round, or rectangular shapes with a common wall thickness of about 1/8″, referred to by the industry as 10 or 11 gauge, or schedule 40 pipe. The reason metal tubing is commonly used is because it provides a lot strength with less metal than solid bar. Large tubing, 2-4 inches in diameter is used to fabricate railings that are installed along highway bridges where a very strong railing is needed should a vehicle crash into it. Using tubing as opposed to solid bar translates to less weight and lower cost, both desirable to the end user of metal fabrications. However, there are still many cases where solid bar is preferred. One case would be the shaft of a screw conveyor. There is extreme pressure applied by a motor to turn the auger and solid metal is necessary for successful operation of the screw conveyor. Many railings are also made of bar stock or made of a combination of bar and tubing. Bar is used on applications where the railing doesn’t have to be super heavy duty and thinner bars are desired.One half to 1 inch bar is widely used for railings in both residential and commercial purposes. Metal railings when made out of galvanized, painted, or stainless steel fabrication can be expected to last a lifetime with little to no maintenance.

Strength, low to no maintenance.Long lasting. That’s the beauty of metal. That’s why so many products are made with metal. Metal fabricators have the machinery and knowledge of how to take base metals that are melted and manufactured by steel factories, and turn them in to very useful products that can last a lifetime.

[ad_2]

Source by Albert Right