We have all heard the sayings “time is money” and “wasted time is wasted money.” The use of grinders to modify shoes and buffers to dress hooves not only improves time efficiency; it also reduces wear and tear on the body by eliminating the need for additional forging, hot rasping or the use of a finish file. Using grinders and buffers becomes inefficient when one does not care for them properly, causing a premature end to their usefulness.
Using grinders and buffers becomes inefficient when one does not care for them properly.
Improvements in abrasive component technology have greatly enhanced material removal rates and the life of the abrasive. However, without proper care, belts and sleeves can have their lives shortened, even with the new improvements. One of the primary reasons for shortened belt life is loading. Belt loading tends to occur most often when grinding or sanding non-ferrous metals such as aluminum. It can also occur when working with softer materials such as leather and urethane pads or, in the case of buffer sleeves, hoof wall material. In any of the aforementioned cases, the material being ground away becomes trapped in-between the abrasive particles to the point that there is no longer definition between the particles. Cutting performance is greatly reduced when this happens and it is often incorrectly assumed the belt has reached the end of its serviceable life.
Luckily, belt loading is easily remedied in seconds with the use of a rubber belt cleaning stick. With regular cleaning you can expect to see increased belt life and reduced working time. The steps below show the proper use of the rubber belt cleaning stick to save you time and money.
A zirconia belt with material loading present. 
To clean belt, place rubber cleaning stick on belt at a 45° angle. 
To clean belt, place rubber cleaning stick on belt at a 45° angle. 
Turn on grinder. Maintain contact with belt and sweep side-to-side to clean. 
Belt Comparison:
Dirty
Belt Comparison:
Clean
A hoof buffer sleeve loaded with hoof material. 
Hold buffer against rubber stick and run drill. Sweep buffer side-to-side until material is removed. Set drill direction to ensure rotation is throwing material down. 
A clean hoof buffer.
This article is from The Natural Angle Volume 18, Issue 3. For more Natural Angle articles and tips, click here.
