Taylor Machine Works’ heavy duty lift trucks are at use in demanding applications. Whether they are changing engines on jumbo jets, repositioning 12-foot concrete culverts, grabbing an entire truckload of logs in a single bit, transporting cargo on and off container ships, or moving materials within steel mills, they epitomize the saying “go big or go home.”
For nearly 100 years, they have been producing machines to tackle demanding material handling applications. While moving materials efficiently and safely is paramount, so is providing safe access to operators and maintenance personnel tasked with servicing the equipment. They use Flex-Tred Non-Slip Tape from Wooster Products, which ensures these surfaces have a high coefficient of friction, even when wet. Therefore, whether working in steel mill with oily mist in the air, rough terrain timber loading yards, or coastal shipping ports which are exposed to the elements, personnel working with or on equipment are assured of sure footing.
“Flex-Tred non-slip products improve traction in areas that do not contain dedicated step plate materials,” says Harley Hollingstowrth, product testing manager, Taylor Machine Works. “The are most commonly used on flat panel surfaces that might be utilized for servicing components of our machines, or areas that are infrequently accessed by personnel.”
VERIFIED PERFORMANCE
Flex-Tred is a flexible tape product which includes aluminum oxide particles to provide long lasting slip resistance. While a painted steel surface has a coefficient of friction of .77 when dry, and .69 when wet, Flex-Tred products increase these figures substantially to 1.33 dry, and 1.21 wet via coefficient of friction tests completed per specification Mil-D-17951 (ships) using rubber test vehicle. By nearly doubling the coefficient of friction, Flex-Tred provides increased safety and support. Taylor applies non-slip products to areas which might be stepped on or traversed.
GETTING THE RIGHT SIZE IS IMPORTANT
Taylor manufactures a wide range of equipment in a wide variety of sizes, so naturally getting the correct size and dimension of non-slip surface can be a challenge. Wooster manufactures Flex-Tred in rolls from ¾-inch widths to 24” widths, as well as standard or custom die-cut shapes. Although numerous colors are available, including photoluminescent (glow in the dark), Taylor buys die-cut and rolled product in basic black.
“We have a custom library of pre-determined part sizes that have been used for many years,” says Hollingsworth. “Often, they can find the size and shape they need from their inventory, but “if not, we can quickly cut one from bulk tape rolls. If the part that they cut themselves becomes one they need on a regular basis, Wooster can die-cut it for them.”
INSTALLATION IS SIMPLE – BUT PREPARATION IS KEY
Installing Flex-Tred is easily accomplished, but surface preparation is key, as it will directly impact the success (or failure) of the bond. A clean surface is needed as dust, dirt, and airborne particles can interfere with adhesion. Temperature is also important – applying at room temperature (roughly 70°F or 21°C) is ideal, as extreme temperatures can affect the initial adhesive bonding strength and result in complete adhesion failure in extreme conditions.
It is important to avoid applying the tape to freshly painted surfaces. All paints release chemicals when drying (could be a matter of minutes) and curing (days to weeks). Latex paints release water, while oil-based paints release solvents (like acetone). Spray paints contain solvents and can also have uncured solid particles leach from the cured paint.
Applying the tape to recently painted surfaces heighten the risk of a decrease in adhesion strength as these released chemicals come to the surface and interfere with the bond between the tape and the surface of the painted part. The longer a part is allowed to cure before application, the better the bond will form.
Surface preparation is recommended and can be as simple as an alcohol wipe. It is important to avoid strong solvents or xylenes that may damage the paint and to ensure that the surface is dry and residue free before applying tape.
Once the surface has been readied, installation of the die-cut shapes is simple, peel the protective liner from the underside to expose the thick layer of pressure sensitive adhesive and place the non-slip tape where it is desired to be used. The pressure sensitive adhesive backing has moderate adhesion which builds over time. This allows precision placement and re-positioning during installation. Final bond strength is attained after roughly 24 hours. Once the tape is in the desired position and placement, press or roll to eliminate air pockets. A weighted roller can help with removal of air pockets, which can lead to ingress of moisture and debris over time, resulting in bond failure.
Although all Taylor installations are on flat surfaces, the tape bends over sharp 90° angles without fracture. Repeated bending will not cause cracking or breakage of the bond.
“We’ve been using Wooster non-slip products for 30 years or more and their products are very easy to install,” says Hollingsworth. “We deal directly with them, and their customer service team is knowledgeable about all correspondence. Products arrive well packaged, clearly marked, and ready to be placed in our production inventory.”
While customer service is certainly important, having a long-lasting product that allows service technicians to easily and safely access important areas of equipment is vital. Applied Flex-Tred has a useful temperature range of -40°F to 220°F – and is unaffected by climatic exposure, making it ideal whether Taylor equipment is shlepping logs in the frozen tundra, toiling away in steel mills, or anything in-between.
It tolerates detergent cleaning and steam cleaning, as well as exposure to mild acid and alkali under normal operating conditions. With sure footing service technicians can easily access all areas of the equipment thus keep it operating efficiently and smoothly, wherever in the world it is operating. Long lasting safety and responsive customers service are just a few reasons why Taylor has partnered with Wooster for over three decades.
