Why is excavator maintenance important?

Excavators are valuable, expensive assets that require thorough maintenance to ensure their longevity and productivity. To mitigate business losses and maximise efficiency, regular excavator maintenance can be time-consuming, but entirely worth the investment. Here at Jaytrac, we understand the importance of proper heavy machinery maintenance, and have put together a guide to help you maximise the lifespan of your excavator.

Daily excavator maintenance checks

Although it may seem tedious, daily excavator maintenance checks should be carried out to ensure your machinery is functioning as it should. Not only will this prevent smaller functionality issues from becoming larger and costlier, it will ensure maximum safety for its operators.

Daily excavator checks should include:

• Coolant level check
• Engine oil level check
• Hydraulic oil level check
• Checks for leaks in hydraulic systems
• Draining the fuel system water separator

A preventative excavator maintenance plan

Whilst daily checks are crucial to ensuring functionality issues are caught early, your excavator should have a periodic, preventative maintenance plan in place.

This regular maintenance work should be kept on a record, with a full-service history, to accurately keep track of when the excavator will next require specific checks. Not only is this good practice for heavy machinery maintenance, it will enhance the excavator’s resale value if the equipment has been well cared for.

You should ensure detailed records are kept, including specific and detailed descriptions of the maintenance work that was carried out, and when it was carried out.

For example, excavator maintenance must involve a rotation every several months, consisting of:

• Inspection of air and fuel filters, replacing when damaged
• Inspection of hydraulic hoses and fittings for signs of wear – see our article on the 6 Top Tips for Keeping your Machinery’s Hydraulics Healthy
• Checking the tracks for signs of wear
• Final drive oil levels
• Swing drive oil levels

Some excavator maintenance tasks will be required less frequently, such as:

• Worn excavator parts replacement, checked based on manufacturer guidelines (replacement requirements can vary based on usage)
• Track and undercarriage checks, to include the inspection of track tension and adjusting of track alignment where necessary
• Structural inspection, looking for signs of metal fatigue

Excavator cleaning

Considering the difficult terrain of where excavators are required, it is necessary to ensure regular inspection of areas that have the potential to become clogged. Effective cleaning of excavators is crucial to prolonging their lifespan, and preventing diminished performance capabilities of the equipment. This will, in turn, mitigate company losses by ensuring maximum productivity, and preventing the need for part replacement.

Excavator maintenance cleaning should involve:

• Cleaning the areas of the excavator that are prone to blockages, such as vents and air intakes to ensure they remain free of dirt
• Ensuring the paint/coating of the excavator is in good condition, as this protects the machinery from rust and corrosion

You should always endeavour to follow the manufacturer guidelines for your specific excavator brand. This will provide you with the best, most tailored guidance on proper maintenance for your machinery.

At Jaytrac, we source and supply quality replacement excavator parts, for brands including Caterpillar, Volvo, and Komatsu. If you require more information on excavator replacement parts, or would like to discuss sourcing a particular part, please contact us today on +44 (0) 1604 491133, sales@jaytrac.co.uk, or fill out our contact form, and someone will be in touch with you shortly.