• Filters, Filters, Filters: When getting called to help with a dehumidification issue, we are always amazed by how many times we find bad filters. We are not just talking about dirty filters; we are talking about clogged — haven’t been changed in six months or more — filters. Te type or brand of dehumidifier does not matter; if it can’t breathe, it can’t work. Also, the money wasted on energy with a poorly running dehumidifier will pay for the filters.
• Understand the Unit: Not all HVAC service people are good at ice rink- specific equipment. Many times, there is a learning curve because they do not see that type of equipment all the time. Occasionally, a factory person is worth the money if you are having dehumidifier issues. Perhaps getting this representative to spend time with someone on your staff to educate them on the units is money well spent.
• Have the right system: Unfortunately, many ice rinks do not have proper dehumidification systems. Of course, having a plan to get the proper equipment is key, but in the meantime, getting the existing equipment serviced and running the best it can is important. Also, in these cases, tighten up the building — fix all air leaks and work with staff to keep doors closed. Sometimes fixing a leaky building is cheaper than new dehumidification equipment.
“Boards and Glass Maintenance — Who does that?
Maintenance on boards and glass is not something we hear about very often. Instead, we hear about the rink that broke five pieces of glass this month, the rink where none of the player gates open without a crowbar, and the facility with the awful ice resurfacer gates.
“Keeping the boards and glass in good
working order does not take a lot of time or expertise; it takes remembering to do it. Companies that build boards and glass can certainly be used to come in and give the rink boards a ‘tune-up,’ and that is a good idea.
“No one on staff plays hockey or ice
skates. In this scenario, the person responsible for repairing the boards never uses them, so they are not sure what the
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issues are. In this case, it is best to have an adult hockey player and figure skater provide their perspectives.
“We usually see player gates that stick
or don’t close easily. We see thresholds so worn out that the figure skaters are afraid of damaging their blades, glass that is ready to pop out of the stanchion and, of course, the ice resurfacer gates that take three men and a small boy to open and close them.
“Most times these are easy fixes. If your
staff is not capable, try a local carpenter or portable welder person. If this doesn’t work, get one of the boards and glass companies to come and give your boards and glass a ‘tune-up.’
“Ice Resurfacer Maintenance — Tese machines are the lifeblood of the ice rink. Maintaining them should be a priority.
• Circle Check: All ice resurfacer manufac- turers recommend that each operator complete a check of the machine before their shift. We can tell the facilities that do this and the ones that do not. Anyone who has run out of fuel or battery while on the ice has not done a simple circle check beforehand. Each facility should create a simple
‘shift circle check’ that covers the fuel/ battery levels, fluid levels, function of moving parts, leaks and anything else the facility is comfortable letting the staff do each shift.
• ‘Joe Does Tat’: Most buildings we work with seem to have a guy that provides all the lubrication and maintenance on the ice resurfacer. Tis poor guy must conduct all the maintenance on the ice resurfacer because he is the only one they trust. At some point, Joe only does the easy things, and the tough things get forgotten until they break, and then it’s a crisis. Training a couple of people
to conduct maintenance tasks can really help. Having more than one set of eyes on things is always a better situation when it comes to maintenance.
• Lack of Lubrication: All the ice resur- facer manufacturers have a very de- tailed list of the items to lubricate on their machines and how often. If this protocol is followed, the machines have an amazing life span. Unfortunately, some of the lubrication points are hard to reach — steering and suspension, u-joints and items under the machine — and those are the ones that we find when a machine does fail. Oil levels, coolant and hydraulic fluid levels are not checked regularly.
• Battery Maintenance: More and more of our facilities are using battery- powered ice resurfacers and edgers. Tese machines require maintenance just like a fossil fuel machine. We have noticed a big increase in battery life by the facilities that do proper and timely maintenance on the batteries. Telling someone to put water in the batteries without proper training could be worse than not having them put water in the batteries — it’s dangerous as well. Checking the specific gravity, water level and voltage of each cell is very important. Te reason being is that one bad cell can bring down the rest of the battery. Also, one cell can be changed out. Safely perform the manufacturer’s recommended battery maintenance on your machines, and you will be happy with the results.
• Annual Service: More parts of the coun- ty than ever have factory ice resurfacer service people. Having your machines looked at even once a year by a manu- facturer service person can really go a long way toward a trouble-free year.”
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