Pontoons are popular for waterfront homeowners across Australia as they offer a convenient way to enjoy the water without the pitfalls of a timber jetty.
Pontoons consist of a floating dock connected to a gangway, providing water access, and while not all pontoons have piles, those that do, require pile rollers.
Pile rollers are an important part of the pontoon dock construction and functionality. They play a role in keeping the pontoon in place and preventing it from floating away. Over time, pontoon rollers can wear down, which can cause problems with the stability and functionality of the dock.
In this article, we will discuss what pile rollers are, why it’s so important to replace worn pile rollers and how to replace them.
What are pile rollers?
Pile rollers are a necessary component of any piled pontoon construction. They help the pontoon dock move up and down the pile with the changing tide, which is important for maintaining the dock’s stability. A series of rollers are housed in pile brackets attached to the pontoon dock. As the tide changes, the pontoon dock moves up and down the pile, which causes the pile rollers to spin. This helps smooth the transition between the dock and the pile and prevents any damage from occurring.
Why is it important to replace worn pile rollers?
Pontoon pile rollers are essential for a pontoon’s safe and efficient operation. Damage and wear to the rollers will invariably disrupt the operation of the pontoon, resulting in significant damage that could have easily been avoided.
When the rollers are worn, they cause the bracket to bang on the pile instead of rolling, which over time, can damage the lugs, resulting in entire bracket replacement, and is much more costly than simply replacing worn rollers. So it is important to catch any signs of wear and tear as soon as possible to avoid more expensive repairs in the future.
Read our post, ‘How to Replace Broken Pile Brackets on a Pontoon Dock‘ if you need to replace an entire bracket.
How to know when to replace worn pile rollers?
The appearance of worn pile rollers can indicate when they need to be replaced. If the rollers have a concaved appearance, then they should be replaced. Otherwise, if the rollers are cylindrical, then they may not need to be replaced yet.
Pile rollers should be visually inspected at least once a month for signs of strain and wear to ensure that they are performing optimally and are not putting undue stress on other parts of the pontoon. If worn pile rollers are identified, they should be replaced immediately to prevent further damage.
The image above shows the difference between a new roller (left) and a worn roller (right) that needs replacing.
How do you replace worn pile rollers?
Thankfully, replacing worn pile rollers is both easy and affordable. Rollers are simply held in place by a pin and bolt that is placed through the centre of the roller.
Removing a worn pile roller
Removing a worn pile roller is as straightforward as dislodging the bolt pin that holds the roller in the bracket housing. Once the pin is dislodged, you can glide the bolt out of the hollow centre of the roller to remove it from the bracket.
Adding a new pile roller
To add a new pile roller, you simply repeat this process in reverse. So, start by putting the bolt through the centre of the new roller and then placing the roller in the bracket housing. Secure it in place with the addition of the pin you previously removed.
Repeat this process for each of the rollers to ensure they wear at the same speed.
Read our post, ‘How to Find Pontoon Dock Replacement Parts‘, for more information on getting replacement parts.
Conclusion
Pile rollers are an important pontoon dock construction component. They keep the pontoon in place and help it move up and down the pile with the changing tide. Over time, pontoon pile rollers can become worn, which can cause problems with pontoon stability and functionality.
If you notice any signs of wear on your pontoon pile rollers, it is important to replace them as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
Replacing pontoon pile rollers is easy and affordable and can be done in a few simple steps. Simply remove the old roller, add the new roller and secure it in place. Repeat this process for each of the rollers to ensure they wear at the same speed.
If you’d prefer to leave it to the pontoon maintenance professionals, then get in touch with the experienced team at Micks Marine Maintenance. We will be happy to inspect and replace your pontoon pile rollers as required.