A used roll former keeps making good panels when you look after a short list of wear items, drive rollers, forming rollers, chains and gears, shear blades and dies, the length encoder and the hydraulics, on a schedule counted in cuts, hours and weeks, and when you know who to call before something breaks. New Tech Machinery’s own schedule asks for shear lubrication about every 30 cuts, weekly checks of gears, chains and hydraulic oil, and a yearly hydraulic oil and filter change. Factory service is available from the larger makers; NTM bills $125 an hour plus parts and travel. Independent mechanics also advertise on this site. This guide covers each wear item, a maintenance schedule and where to find help.
The wear items and what failure looks like
| Part | What goes wrong | What you see | First fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyurethane drive rollers | Dirt, glazing, cuts, separation from the hub | Slipping, length errors, marks on panels | Clean with soap, water and a scouring pad; recoat or replace |
| Forming and rib rollers | Paint and debris buildup, scoring, rust | Streaks, scratches, seams that do not fit | Clean, inspect, replace damaged stations |
| Chains, sprockets and gears | Dry or slack chain, worn teeth | Noise, jerky feed | Tension snug but not tight; lubricate on schedule |
| Shear blades and dies | Dull or chipped edges, burrs, misalignment | Ragged cuts, tearing, crushed seams | Lubricate, remove burrs, realign, replace |
| Encoder and measuring wheel | Dirty or worn wheel, lost spring tension, crash damage, bad cable | Panels repeatedly short or long | Clean the wheel, check tension and cable, recalibrate |
| Hydraulic system | Old oil, clogged filter, worn hoses | Slow drive or shear, heat, leaks | Change oil and filter, replace damaged hoses |
Drive rollers
The polyurethane drive rollers pull the strip through the machine, so their grip decides length accuracy and finish. NTM tells owners to clean them only with soap, water and a scouring pad and never with solvents, and lists harsh chemicals on drive rollers among the things that void its warranty. When the urethane is cut or worn, rubber and urethane shops can recoat the original steel cores, burning off the old coating, blasting and inspecting the core and casting new urethane, or you can buy new rollers from the maker. Get a quote against the serial number before you decide.
Shear blades and dies
NTM recommends lubricating the shear blades and dies about every 30 cuts, or 30 to 50 cuts in another of its articles, and realigning the shear whenever a blade or profile is changed. Dull blades leave ragged ends and tear the seam. Small burrs can be dressed off; chipped or rolled edges mean a new blade. Keep a spare set for each profile you run, because a shear problem stops the whole machine.
Encoders and length accuracy
Length control depends on an encoder with a measuring wheel riding on the strip. The encoder sends a fixed number of pulses per revolution, and the controller fires the shear when the count for the programmed length is reached; Encoder Products Company’s example is a wheel with a one-foot circumference at 96 counts per revolution, which resolves 1/8 inch. Anything that makes the wheel slip, skip or misread shows up as length error: dirt or coating on the wheel, too little spring pressure, a damaged cable or a bump that knocked the encoder loose. NTM’s fix for repeated short or long panels is to clean the wheel and recalibrate, and on the SSQ II the encoder tensions itself. Too much spring pressure wears the encoder’s bearings, so set it to the maker’s figure.
Hydraulic hoses
Parker’s hose safety guidance says to replace a hose at once if its cover is cut or worn through to the reinforcement, blistered, soft, hardened or heat-cracked, if a fitting is cracked, corroded or slipping, or if the hose leaks, kinks or has been crushed. Never feel along a pressurized hose for a pinhole leak; use a piece of cardboard and keep hands clear.
A preventive maintenance schedule
This schedule follows NTM’s published maintenance routine for its SSQ3 MultiPro, which suits most hydraulic portables. Always check your own machine’s manual first.
| When | Task |
|---|---|
| About every 30 cuts | Lubricate shear blades and dies |
| Daily | Clean drive rollers as needed; clear debris from rollers and guides |
| Weekly | One pump of grease to the main drive gears through the external line; check chain tension; check hydraulic oil level; look for loose hardware and wear; grease rear bearings and arbor nut as needed |
| About every 30 operating hours | Lubricate the gears |
| About every 40 operating hours | Lubricate chains with a dry motorcycle chain lube |
| Yearly | Change hydraulic oil and filter; sooner in dusty or outdoor use, or when the filter’s red indicator pops up |
| Gas engine | Follow the engine maker’s schedule for oil, air filter and spark plugs |
Storage matters as much as grease. NTM advises against long-term outdoor storage and recommends a breathable cover if the machine must sit outside; a sealed tarp traps moisture against the rollers and controls. Our power pack guide covers engine and motor upkeep.
Finding service
Manufacturer service
- New Tech Machinery offers phone support for parts and technical help, paid repairs at its facility in Aurora, Colorado or on site, controller service, and training for owners of new and used machines. A 2025 NTM article put labor at $125 an hour plus parts, with the customer paying travel. Have the model and serial number ready.
- Englert runs a mobile service fleet with factory-trained technicians. Outside warranty, on-site repairs are billed at its hourly rate plus expenses, and its catalog asks for 10 business days’ notice.
- Roper Whitney and Tennsmith service the machines they build and offer yearly preventive maintenance agreements on their folders.
Check warranty status before you pay for repairs. NTM’s warranty is three years on parts and in-house labor, counted from the build date in the serial number, for the original purchaser, plus lifetime limited coverage against drive roller separation; its page is not consistent on what transfers to a second owner, so ask with the serial number. Non-NTM parts, unauthorized modifications and towing accidents void it. Englert gives five years of limited parts and labor coverage on the roll formers it builds.
Independent technicians
Much of the work does not need the factory. A hydraulic shop can rebuild a pump or make hoses, an industrial electrician can trace a control fault, a machine shop can regrind blades, and a rubber shop can recoat drive rollers. Roll former mechanics list their services in our mechanic classified ads, and posting an ad, including a wanted ad for a mechanic in your area, is free. When you call anyone, send the model, serial number, controller version, hours and a short video of the fault.
When to repair and when to sell
Get a written repair quote, then compare it with the gap between your machine’s value as-is and its value running. A worn but working machine with complete tooling usually justifies new drive rollers, blades or hoses; a machine with an unsupported controller and missing profiles may not. Our inspection checklist is a good way to take stock, whether you plan to keep it or list it.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I grease a roll former?
NTM’s schedule for the SSQ3 is one pump to the main drive gears weekly, gear lubrication about every 30 operating hours and chain lubrication about every 40, with bearings and the arbor nut as needed. Follow your own machine’s manual where it differs.
Why are my panels coming out the wrong length?
Most often the encoder: a dirty or worn measuring wheel, low spring tension, a loose mount or a damaged cable. Clean the wheel, check the tension and recalibrate. Slipping drive rollers can cause the same symptom.
Does the factory warranty transfer when I buy a used machine?
Usually not in full. NTM’s three-year warranty is for the original purchaser, though it describes its drive roller separation coverage as staying with a resold machine. Ask the maker with the serial number before you buy.
Browse used roll formers or New Tech Machinery listings when it is time to upgrade.
