Essential Maintenance Tips & Best Practices for Winter
Winter can be tough on heavy machinery. From freezing temperatures to increased wear on parts, the cold season demands extra care to keep your equipment in optimal working condition. With Ohio already seeing its first snowfall, now is the time to ensure your machines are winter-ready. Follow these heavy equipment maintenance tips for winter to winterize your fleet while protecting your equipment.
Cold Weather Maintenance for Heavy Machinery Checklist
Protect Your Batteries
Batteries are among the first components to feel the effects of cold weather. Keep batteries charged and store them in a warm, dry, insulated space when not in use. If your equipment is stored outdoors or in an unheated area, remove the batteries and store them separately. Improper storage not only shortens battery life but also risks damage or even explosion.
Hydraulic System Checks
The cold can wreak havoc on hydraulic systems by thickening fluids, making them too viscous to function properly. Sludge-like fluids increase friction, cause wear, and may lead to cavitation, which damages your equipment over time. To prevent this, store your equipment in a covered, insulated space whenever possible. Before each use, check the viscosity index (VI) of your hydraulic fluid. If the fluid clings to your dipstick without dripping, it’s too thick to run safely.
Stock Up on Replacements
Winter operations often lead to the need for replacement parts. To avoid interruptions and unexpected operational delays, stock up on these commonly replaced items:
- Heavy wear parts like tracks and teeth
- Fluids
- Batteries
- Hydraulic parts
- Undercarriage Parts
- Attachments
Opt for Cold Weather Fluids & Warming Methods
Fluids can make or break your equipment’s performance during the winter. As temperatures drop, opt for fluids specifically designed for colder conditions. These are formulated to remain thinner in freezing weather, reducing the risk of thickening.
Regardless of whether you’ve swapped your fluids for a winterized version, you still need to warm up your equipment properly before use. The warm-up period will vary depending on the machine, so consult your operator’s manual to ensure you’re following the correct procedure.
How Often Should Heavy Equipment Be Serviced?
There are two recommended schedules we follow for servicing heavy equipment. The first is best for machines used often. For this, we suggest servicing your equipment after 500 operating hours. Machines used less often still need routine maintenance, even if they aren’t reaching that 500-hour threshold. For these machines, make sure you conduct preventative maintenance at least every 6 months.
How Do You Maintain Heavy Equipment?
Effective heavy equipment care and maintenance requires a balance of checks done by the operator and professional maintenance. While your machine should receive routine maintenance and prompt repairs when necessary, you should also conduct frequent checks and preventative care while operating machinery.
How Does Cold Weather Affect Construction Equipment?
When heavy equipment is exposed to cold weather for prolonged periods, it can experience negative effects. Below are some of the top risks of not conducting proper construction equipment winter maintenance:
- Thickened Fluids
- Worsened Battery Performance
- Frozen Fuel
- Reduced Traction
- Corrosion
- Brittle or Damaged Components
Winterize Your Machines Before It’s Too Late!
Get ahead of winter by ensuring your heavy equipment is ready for the season. Contact Columbus Equipment today to order the tracks, teeth, and other wear parts you need for smooth operations – don’t wait until it’s too late!