DIPSTICK

046 987 08A DIPSTICK Keeping track of fluid levels is fundamental to the health of any heavy machinery, especially in underground drilling. A DIPSTICK provides a simple, direct method for operators and technicians to quickly assess the volume of essential fluids like hydraulic oil, engine lubricant, or even coolant. You'll typically find it integrated with a reservoir or tank, often on the hydraulic power unit, engine block, or a dedicated cooling system on the drill rig.

Operating a drill with incorrect fluid levels can have serious consequences. If the hydraulic tank runs low, for instance, the main pumps might start to cavitate, leading to reduced impact energy for the drifter or slower boom movements. Over time, this can cause significant wear and even catastrophic failure of expensive components. Maintaining proper fluid levels, as indicated by the DIPSTICK, directly contributes to the machine's overall reliability and ensures consistent drilling performance shift after shift.

While a DIPSTICK itself isn't a wear item in the traditional sense, it can become damaged or lost in the demanding underground environment. A bent or broken DIPSTICK makes accurate fluid checks impossible, and a missing one can leave an open port, allowing contaminants into the system. It's good practice to visually inspect the DIPSTICK for clarity of markings and physical integrity during routine machine walk-arounds. If it's hard to read or physically compromised, replacing it ensures you can always get a reliable fluid level reading.