Why should clippers be serviced?

Keeping horse clippers in good working condition is essential.  Not only to give longevity and best performance, but from a safety aspect as well.  With some styles of clippers being operated from mains power, this is even more important, minimising the risk to the handler or horse.

We recommend having a regular service booked in on an annual basis.  With any technical products with moving parts, this should be a sensible and well planned option, particularly when clipping multiples of horses throughout the winter season.

We have a set procedure for servicing and repair at Clippersharp, this ensures our engineers systematically fault check and find as well as service.

• Once on the work bench the clipper is turned on to check if it is running.  If it is, we can then tell by the sound, whether there is a significant problem, or whether it will be a standard service and clean.
• Then we strip the clipper down to its component parts – this ensures all working areas are checked for wear, replaced if necessary, or cleaned.
• The main component parts are the motor, gears, head assembly and circuit board.
• Once inspected, all damaged or worn parts are replaced.
• The inside of the clipper is thoroughly cleaned, we use a high pressured air line to blow out any remaining hair and then carefully re-assemble.
• Finally, we bench test the machine.  This will allow us to double check the clipper is running correctly and at the right speed and noise level.

Most full-size clippers will have parts that need regular replacement due to wear and tear, some are very quick and simple jobs that can be done from home – for example replacing air vents, drive blocks, tension sets and comb pegs and pins.  Its always worth contacting us before sending in, or trouble shoot us by email with photos.

Out top 5 suggestions to help you out!

1. Most mains clippers will have an overload switch – this is designed to pop out to stop the motor when it gets hot, is under pressure, or has experienced trauma (ie been dropped or kicked).  If your clipper suddenly cuts out, that’s probably why.
2. Blocked air vents – an easy part to remove and clean after clipping.  If the vent is filled up with hair and gets blocked it will cause the motor to heat up.  In turn this will cause heat to the handpiece and in time the motor will fail.
3. Tensioning – Too much tension will cause excessive heat to the blades and strain the motor.  As well as distressing the horse with hot blades, it will also affect the performance of the machine.
4. Comb pegs and pins – these are associated with Lister clippers. Over time the plastic distorts due to wear and allows the blade to wobble – this causes an uneven, tramline finish as well as the blades being noisy.
5. Drive blocks – these are generally made of a hard plastic and distort over time causing the blades not to cut as efficiently and will give a chewed finish.  This can often be misinterpreted as having blunt blades.  Worth checking, particularly if blades have just been sharpened.

 Please do check out our Clipper How To's for more detailed advice on all brands of clippers.  If clipping is part of your work it is even more important to learn as much as you can about the operation of clippers and be particularly mindful to ensure all equipment is well cared for and serviced on a regular basis. 

We are always exceptionally busy leading up to and during the winter clipping season, with wait times extending to several weeks or months; forward planning is key to ensuring seamless operating.