r/IndustrialMaintenance • u/Stunning-Chipmunk243 • 3d ago

Question Boot recommendations

I work in the stamping department and we are tasked with maintaining some +40 year old 3000 ton + stamping presses that leak hydraulic fluid. Walking on, around and under the presses is like walking on black ice with my current Ariat boots that are supposedly non slip and oil resistant. Has anyone found some boots that maintain at least a little traction on steel that has hydraulic fluid on it?

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9

u/Thurpno 3d ago

What arent you fixing the leak?

3

u/Stunning-Chipmunk243 2d ago

The press still runs so they don't want to shut down production long enough to let us really get in there and do what's needed. Eventually the press will schedule itself for downtime and then we will be able to repair the leak but in the meanwhile sliding around like I'm trying out for the Olympic figure skating team is getting old

3

u/mowgulcashmere 3d ago

Depends on what's causing the link, where I worked before one of the print presses leaked because they sealed vertically, the place wasn't going to shut the print press down for however many days/weeks to pull the presses apart and reseal

3

u/EntrepreneurSad7364 3d ago

Hydraulic fluid acts as a desiccant and dries leather very fast. So a good boot oil weekly. As for traction nothing works. So if you suspect fluid on steel keep kitty litter handy.

1

u/surewriting_ 3d ago

Get some mid tier off the shelf boots, then save some scratch and get some custom Wescos/Nicks/Whites boots made. 

1

u/Stunning-Chipmunk243 2d ago

I checked them out and I can see why you said to save up for them. It's tempting but I have a hard time believing they are truly that they are so much better it justifies that much of a price difference. Don't get me wrong, I can see why handmaking them to custom specifications with top quality materials would cost that much I just don't know if they are really that less prone to slipping in the aforementioned conditions.

2

u/surewriting_ 2d ago

It makes a difference over a long shift for sure.

As far as helping with slipping- ain't shit gonna help with that unfortunately.

2

u/Unknownqtips 3d ago

US made redwings.

2

u/Substantial-Load4204 3d ago

I have Keen utility camdens and they’re super comfortable. I had a different pair of Keenan that lasted about 4 years in the steel mill before I had to replace them

2

u/Deadz315 3d ago

I work in a stamping shop as well. I wear redwing ironflex. They're pretty good slip resistant. I have returned many boots because they weren't as slip resistant as they claimed.

2

u/MCpoopcicle 3d ago

Red Wings