Unstable Power and High Oil Temperatures: What Nigerian Buyers Must Check in Hydraulic and Motor Specs for OCC Balers

In many parts of Nigeria, grid instability and high ambient temperatures are a fact of life. During peak hours, voltage often drops; outages are not unusual. Combined with high temperatures, a baler that was selected only on “tonnage and price” can quickly run into trouble: hard motor starts, persistently high oil temperature, frequent alarms and downtime.

1) Match motor power to your actual power supply

• Bigger motors are not always better;

• On unstable grids and limited lines, oversizing motor power can cause start-up problems and frequent breaker trips;

• A more sensible approach is to choose a motor size that meets compression needs yet fits your supply capacity, with a reasonable safety margin and a stable starting method.

2) Keep hydraulic working pressure within a comfortable range

• Some machines push system pressure very high just to claim more “tons” on the nameplate, forcing cylinders to run near their limit;

• Under high temperatures and continuous duty, this increases the risk of leakage and early seal wear;

• A safer design is to achieve the target compression force at around 25 MPa working pressure, with cylinders and pumps sized with some spare capacity.

3) Ensure cooling capacity actually matches tonnage and duty cycle

• For Nigerian users, the oil cooler is not an optional accessory; it is essential for sustained, stable operation;

• When choosing a baler, ask whether the cooler is air-cooled or water-cooled, and whether its capacity has been sized according to tonnage and expected duty cycle—not just added as a token feature;

• In most yards, air-cooled oil coolers are easier to install and maintain.

4) Look at hydraulic component standards and spare-parts channels

• Pumps, relief valves and valve blocks that operate at high pressure for years are sensitive to quality and standardization;

• It is wise to confirm that key parts use standard, widely available models and that you have a realistic path to obtain spares locally or via international logistics.