Maintenance Best Practices
Attachments are must have pieces of equipment on every job site. They expand the capabilities of your machines and help you complete a wide range of specialized tasks, from digging to demolition to grabbing to mulching and much more. Some of the most commonly used attachments are buckets and hydraulic breakers. In this article, we cover some key maintenance tips for ensuring they work at their best.
General maintenance tips for excavator attachments and more
The most important tip for any demolition, land management, or construction attachments is to only use options that are compatible with your carrier machine. The worst thing that you can do is force attachments onto a piece of equipment that they are not designed for or that doesn’t have adequate power or flow to properly operate them. After determining the correct type and size options for your machine, follow these general maintenance tips to keep them in top shape:
- Wash and clean construction attachments after daily use
- Grease fittings to ensure proper lubrication
- Replace worn out parts to prevent damage to other components
- Inspect loader and excavator attachments for any visible signs of damage or strange sounds
- Keep hydraulic hose ends out of the dirt
- Follow all maintenance guidelines in your owner’s manual
How to maintain hydraulic breakers
Hydraulic breakers deal with very powerful impact forces, making correct maintenance even more important than with many other demolition or construction attachments. It’s especially crucial to conduct a routine inspection before using it each day.
- Look for any leaks in the attachment’s fittings or hoses
Prior to using hydraulic breakers, check their hoses for cracks and ensure that proper shielding is in place. Make sure your fittings are tight, and your hoses and fittings are free of contaminants. - Inspect critical points for proper lubrication and function
It’s important to power wash the hydraulic breakers to remove dirt, sand, and other grime. After your breaker is clean, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for special grease or oil lubricant requirements for proper bushing wear. These recommendations will contain special agents designed specifically for your unit. Standard greases are not acceptable for most hydraulic breakers. - Check the locking mechanism
The locking mechanism on the breaker should not be stiff or bent. If it is, then proper locking and unlocking of the attachment will not be possible. Be on the lookout for damage whenever attachments are changed out, and it’s important to never pry with a tool while operating. - Conduct regular maintenance
On a weekly basis, or every 10 hours, remove and inspect the retaining pin and tool. On a monthly basis, or every 50 hours, inspect the tool shank and bushings, carefully checking for wear, and inspect the hydraulic hoses. Hydraulic breakers should be serviced annually or every 600 hours.
Maintenance tips for excavator buckets and loader buckets
Excavator buckets and loader buckets are the most commonly used types of construction attachments, and they require regular care to remain in top working condition. A properly maintained bucket will lower your costs by digging and breaking out more efficiently, which will reduce your fuel consumption and speed up project completion. Before using excavator buckets or loader buckets, carefully check the following components:
- Mounting hinges
We recommend checking for cracks in the mounting hinges for all your construction attachments, including buckets. A small crack can quickly become much bigger – if you see any, fix them immediately. - Front leading edges and corners
Visually inspect edges and corners to look if they are getting thinner or if there are signs of cracking. If so, the corners can be re-plated and thickened to increase the life of your excavator buckets and loader buckets. If left unchecked, the corner could fail during heavy digging and the bucket edge can be torn out completely and would have to be replaced. - Bucket edges
If you notice any signs of wear or stress, then consider replacing the edges or rotating them if you are working with a bucket that has reversible edges. - Bucket teeth
Check if the teeth are worn out or need to be turned. Teeth that are regularly rotated last longer, saving you money in the long run. Corner teeth tend to wear faster, so move them to the center to increase their life. Many styles of teeth can be turned upside down – the lower edge wears faster, and if they are turned over, they will wear more evenly. - Lost teeth?
Do not use excavator buckets or loader buckets with missing teeth. Not having a full set of teeth will wear away the adapter nose and result in poor contact when new teeth are installed. - Check pins and bushings
Worn pins & bushings cause more stress on the machine and can quickly lead to expensive repairs when let go too long. Also, worn pins & bushings result in less control of the machine during operation.