As we head into the colder months, do you have a maintenance routine ready for your heavy equipment? Proper winter care for your machinery is essential to keep it in good working order and to avoid costly damage. Read our more general advice on maintenance and reducing costs of heavy machinery, or read below for 6 winter maintenance tips for heavy equipment to keep your machinery working at its best this winter.

Tip #1 Store heavy equipment properly

One of the most effective ways to maintain your heavy equipment during cold weather is to ensure machinery is stored properly. This will usually mean storing equipment indoors if possible. Indoor storage has two main benefits: warmer starting temperatures, which avoids fluids freezing, and reduced preparation times, e.g. snow scraping and de-icing.

Tip #2 Clean the undercarriage

The undercarriage is the most frequently damaged part of heavy machinery, and the risk of damage increases with the harsher, winter conditions. To reduce these incidences, regular cleaning and inspection is essential. At the end of each working day, the undercarriage should be cleared of any debris and large chunks of mud to avoid freezing overnight, as ice and frozen mud can cause track loosening or cracking.

De-icing salts mixed with snow and ice can accelerate corrosion to your undercarriage. Washing down the undercarriage with clean water will remove salts and keep your machinery rust-free for longer.

Tip #3 Inspect parts regularly

All parts need to be regularly inspected, especially those in contact with fluids. This is due to the fact that freezing liquids can cause cracks, tears and weakening. Of course, you’ll want to prevent liquids freezing in the first place, however regular inspections are always necessary.

Check attachments, seals, hydraulics and hoses, and keep an eye out for cracks and wearing. Rubber components are particularly susceptible to cold weather damage, as rubber dries out and becomes less flexible under cold temperatures, leaving them prone to cracking.

Tip #4 Check fluids and oils

Liquids and oils can suffer in cold temperatures, either changing in consistency or freezing entirely. Checking that your heavy machinery’s fluids haven’t frozen, and preventing this, is vital.

Oil

Synthetic oils are generally more suitable for the winter months, with lower viscosity meaning better flow. It’s worth looking into changing your regular or summer oil for one better suited to winter conditions.

Brake fluid

Another benefit to storing machinery inside is that it prevents brake fluid freezing. Frozen brake fluid poses the danger of not being able to brake safely on site, putting yourself and other around you at risk.

Diesel exhaust fluid

Did you know that diesel exhaust fluid can damage the machine in extreme temperatures if allowed to freeze? To prevent serious machinery failure in these extreme environments, only run your heavy machinery after the engine and oil has been heated with a block heater.

Antifreeze  

When it comes to antifreeze, be sure to use the proper ratio of water to antifreeze. A hydrometer can help you determine whether the correct ratio is being used.

Tip #5 Keep batteries insulated

Battery function dips significantly as temperatures plummet - did you know lead-acid batteries lose around 20% of their power when temperatures hit 0°c? That’s why it’s essential to insulate your batteries against the cold, either by removing them at night, keeping your machinery indoors when not in use, or installing battery warmers. The aim is to keep your heavy machinery’s battery above 0°c.

Tip #6 Maintain your tyres

Your tyres need to be maintained year round, although winter calls for greater attention. There are two main facets to winter tyre care: tyre tread and tyre inflation.

Tyre tread

Insufficient tyre tread makes heavy machinery difficult and dangerous to operate. A lack of tyre tread reduces traction and can lead to accidents on site. When performing maintenance checks of your machinery, ensure that tread blocks are in good condition; you should replace your tread blocks if there are signs of significant wear.

Tyre inflation

Colder air causes tyre pressure to decrease at a faster rate than normal. This shouldn’t cause issues, however, as long as you check your tyre inflation periodically and refill to specifications. Using dry nitrogen gas to inflate tyres is important, as this eliminates the formation of ice crystals which would occur with damp air.

At Jaytrac, we advise everybody to ensure they have a thorough maintenance schedule in place, and this is more important than ever throughout the winter period. For more information about the replacement parts that we supply for heavy duty machinery, including  undercarriages for Caterpillar, please fill out an enquiry form, give us a call on +44 (0) 1604 491 133 or email sales@jaytrac.co.uk.