from the conferences organized by TANGER Ltd.
The environment of a free-stall barn is characterized by high humidity and the presence of aggressive gases, such as ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), generated during anaerobic manure decomposition. The combined effect of moisture, chemical agents, and intensive operation of steel hydraulic components promotes accelerated corrosion. This leads to material degradation, reduced service life, and increased failure risk, potentially threatening occupational safety. The aim of this study was to identify and assess the risk of corrosion damage to steel components of a hydraulic manure scraper and determine its impact on workplace safety. The Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) method was applied to systematically identify and evaluate risks. The analysis included key steel components: the scraper press body, left and right scraper blades, scraper track bar, hydraulic cylinder cover, and guide rails. These elements are in direct contact with moisture and manure, intensifying corrosion processes. Other components, such as the hydraulic power unit, hydraulic cylinders, and control box, are equipped with corrosion protection; therefore, their corrosion risk was assessed as lower, though not eliminated. For each component, potential failure modes, corrosion mechanisms, and consequences for system operation and worker safety were identified, and risk levels were estimated according to FMEA criteria. The results indicate that the highest risk is associated with the scraper press body and blades. Their progressive corrosion may cause structural weakening and sudden failure, posing direct injury hazards. Guiding elements present moderate risk, potentially leading to increased friction and indirect overloading of the hydraulic system.
Keywords: corrosion, hydraulic manure scraper, occupational safety, free-stall barn, FMEA© This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.