Why Maintenance Matters for This Machine
The Bartell Global MS20 and MS40C material spreaders work in demanding conditions, distributing powdered materials and trap rock across concrete slabs and bridge decks. The hydraulic system, drive chain, distributor bar, and engine all run under load every shift. Skip routine service and you risk clogged distribution veins, chain failure mid-pour, or seized bearings that shut the job down. The maintenance steps below come directly from the Bartell Morrison service and operation manuals and apply to both the walk-behind MS20 and the bridge-mounted MS40C.
Daily and Pre-Operation Checks
Run through these steps before every shift and at the end of every workday:
- Empty the hopper completely at the end of every day. Material left overnight can harden and bond to the veins of the distributor bar. Once that buildup sets, you will need to remove the material gates and scrub the veins with a wire brush to restore flow.
- Clean the engine air filter daily. Spreaders operate in dusty, material-heavy environments. A clogged air filter starves the engine and causes inconsistent speed, which directly affects material flow rate.
- Check all fittings for leaks. Inspect hydraulic fittings and connections before startup. Leaks that go unnoticed lead to hydraulic fluid loss and unpredictable valve behavior.
- Inspect the drive chain. Look for wear, slack, or dry links before each use. A broken chain during operation stops the distributor bar and wastes the material load already in the hopper.
- Confirm material gate adjustment. If you are spreading trap rock, verify the curved gate at the bottom of the hopper is adjusted so material flows freely. Loosen the bolts along the hopper bottom, slide the gate to the correct position, and retighten before loading.
Periodic Maintenance Schedule
| Interval | Service Task |
|---|---|
| Daily | Empty hopper of all material |
| Daily | Clean engine air filter |
| Daily | Check all hydraulic and mechanical fittings for leaks |
| Periodically | Clean and lubricate the drive chain |
| Every 50 hours | Grease the four bearings on each side of the hopper (8 total) |
| Every 500 hours | Change hydraulic oil |
| Per engine manufacturer specs | Change engine oil |
Key Service Items
Hydraulic Oil
Change the hydraulic oil every 500 hours of operation. The MS40C uses a hydraulic flow control valve mounted on the side of the hopper to regulate distributor bar speed. Degraded hydraulic oil affects valve response and causes uneven material distribution. Use the fluid type specified in your engine and hydraulic system documentation.
Engine Oil
Change engine oil according to the engine manufacturer's service schedule. Engine speed directly affects material flow rate on the MS40C because the hydraulic valve and distributor bar speed are both tied to engine RPM. An engine running on old oil is harder to hold at a steady speed, which makes consistent spreading difficult.
Engine Air Filter
Clean the air filter every day without exception. The spreader operates in environments with airborne concrete powder and aggregate dust. A restricted filter causes the engine to hunt for speed, and any RPM variation changes the material flow rate mid-pass.
Drive Chain
Clean and lubricate the drive chain regularly to prevent breakage during use. To access the left-side bearings and chain, remove the chain guard. Apply chain lubricant to the full length of the chain. Do not lubricate any components while the engine is running.
Bearings
There are grease fittings at the ends of the hopper for the agitator and distributor bar bearings. Grease all four bearings on each side of the hopper every 50 hours. Remove the chain guard to reach the left-side fittings. Use a standard grease gun and apply until fresh grease appears at the seal. Never lubricate bearings with the engine running.
Distributor Bar Veins
After heavy use, material builds up inside the veins of the distributor bar and restricts flow. To clean them, remove the material gates from the bottom of the hopper. Use a wire brush, either hand-held or drill-mounted, to scrub built-up material from every vein until it is fully cleared. After cleaning, apply a coat of glossy metal paint to the distributor bar. The smooth surface slows future buildup and extends the time between cleanings.
Material Gates
The MS40C ships from the factory with powder gates installed. If you switch to spreading trap rock, you must swap the gates. Remove the two angled gates from the underside of the hopper and install the curved blade in the pre-drilled holes on the correct side. The angle-shaped blade installs on the opposite side. Getting these reversed will cause poor material distribution. Also remove one layer of wire mesh from the shaker attachment when running trap rock.
Signs It Is Time to Replace Parts
- Uneven or reduced material flow despite a correctly adjusted flow control valve. This usually means clogged distributor bar veins or a worn material gate that no longer seals properly.
- Chain skipping or visible stretch. A chain that jumps under load or shows obvious elongation needs replacement before it breaks during a pour.
- Bearing roughness or noise. If greasing the bearings at the 50-hour interval does not smooth out the operation, the bearing itself is worn and should be replaced.
- Hydraulic valve that does not hold position. If the flow control valve lever will not stay set after you tighten the knob, the valve seat or lever mechanism is worn.
- Material gate that will not adjust cleanly. If you cannot slide the gate forward or backward freely after loosening the bolts, the gate or mounting channel is damaged and needs to be replaced to maintain accurate spread width.
- Engine that surges or hunts at steady throttle. Inconsistent engine speed translates directly into inconsistent material flow. If cleaning the air filter does not resolve the issue, the engine needs service or the carburetor requires attention.
Shop OEM Bartell Global Parts at CCE Industries
CCE Industries is an authorized Bartell Global dealer stocking OEM replacement parts for the MS20, MS40C, and the full line of Bartell Global material spreaders. Whether you need material gates, distributor bar components, bearings, drive chain, or hydraulic service parts, CCE Industries can source the correct part for your machine. Using OEM components keeps your spreader running to the specifications set in the Bartell Global service manual and protects your equipment investment. Contact CCE Industries to check parts availability and get your spreader back in service fast.
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