How to check and solve a technical breakdown on a walking floor trailer
Your moving floor systems isn't working anymore? Let's have a look! Follow these 4 simple steps.
Step 1: Check the emergency switches
Are all emergency switches pulled? Check this carefully! If any emergency switches are still engaged, pull them out. This could solve the problem. No emergency stops engaged? Proceed to step 2.
Step 2: Electrical issues
To check whether the problem can be attributed to the electrical controls: check whether the side lights work. Do the lights work? Proceed to step 3. Are the lights not working? Then we have an electrical problem. But don’t worry, the moving floor system also has a manual override procedure. Before we continue, make sure the rear doors (doorhandles and pneumatic lock) are unlocked and the tarpaulin is opened. Now it's time to switch to the manual override procedure. First, switch off your PTO (hydraulic pressure pump). Locate the main hydraulic system valve block on the trailer and remove the yellow safety valve and turn the red button clockwise to overrule the electrical control. Remove the black cap next to the red button. Turn the screw under the black cap fully clockwise to unload or anti-clockwise to load. Activate the PTO, the floor should now immediately start the selected procedure. To stop the procedure, switch off the PTO and turn the red button back in counterclockwise. This manual operation is only an emergency solution. We recommend that you contact your STAS dealer as soon as possible to schedule the repair of the electrical circuit.
Step 3: Hydraulic hoses
Are your lights working, but the moving floor system is not? Then it is likely that the hydraulic hoses have been connected incorrectly. Check whether the supply hose (P) is connected to the supply valve and the return hose (T) is connected to the return. If there are no indicators on the hose or on the trailer, and if all components are original STAS parts, the thickest hose of the two is the return hose. If the hydraulic hoses were connected incorrectly, we strongly advise you to replace the oil filter upon your return home.
Step 4: Oil pressure
Have you gone through the previous steps and found no issues? Then proceed to the pump. Check the oil pressure of your pump. How? Make sure your pump system can handle a pressure up to a maximum of 250 bar. If the pump does not reach 250 bars, contact your pump supplier. Be careful: if the system is not working, turn off the pump immediately to avoid overheating.
Hydraulics checklist
- Is your oil tank full? The system needs at least 150 liters of hydraulic oil.
- Is the safety valve of the PTO correctly tuned?
- Does your PTO pump deliver enough oil at the right pressure (90-110 liters per minute at 225 bar minimum)?
- Are there any leaks or obvious damages in the system?
In case of frozen or sticky loads, it helps to partially unload your vehicle with other tools. When this doesn’t help, we recommend that you find a warm place for your walking floor trailer so that the load and the floor can thaw.
Is your moving floor trailer still not working properly? Contact your dealer or a local service point.