Equipment Maintenance Tips: Preparing for Winter Jobs
What’s your favorite time of year? Some enjoy the spring because the weather is nice and the trees and flowers start to bloom. If you’re working outside in the summer, you get warmer temperatures and more daylight. Others like fall when the weather cools again and the leaves start to change. And then there are those who prefer the winter for the crispness of the air, clear skies, and snowy landscapes.
No matter the season, heavy-duty equipment needs its upkeep. When it starts to get cold, changeover maintenance must be done to keep your machines working effectively and efficiently.
We put together the following checklist of maintenance tasks to take on before the temperatures start to drop significantly this winter. While most of these jobs are for those who live in climates that drop below freezing, even if you live in a mild climate and the temperatures don’t decline much, regularly scheduled maintenance is always advised.
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Fuel Freeze
There’s a different maintenance method for every type of machine used during the workday, along with the type of fuel used for your equipment. Follow up with your owner’s manual and the OEM for further guidance along with these tips for essential winter fuel and engine maintenance.
Gasoline
Gasoline can freeze, but it needs to be really cold to make that happen—generally this occurs between –40 degrees to –100 degrees Fahrenheit. However, even at temperatures in the low 30s or below, water from condensation in the fuel system can freeze, which creates ice crystals that can block fuel lines and damage the engine. To prevent this, you can use a methanol-based additive to your tank with each fill-up. Some equipment operators also recommend you fill the tank to full at the end of each day to prevent condensation from forming.
Diesel
Diesel fuel doesn’t actually freeze, but it can thicken into more of a gel in temperatures as high as 23 degrees Fahrenheit for summer blends of fuel and 5 degrees Fahrenheit for winter blends. Summer blends have a higher “cloud point” or the amount of paraffin wax in the fuel mixture. Winter blends have a lower amount of paraffin to keep the wax turning the fuel into gel that prevents wax crystals from clogging the fuel filter. It is generally recommended to switch from the summer blend to the winter blend when the air temperatures are consistently below 35 degrees Fahrenheit. While you are transitioning from summer to winter blend, you can use a diesel additive to lower the cloud point. However, this should be added when the fuel is warm, after the engine has been running a while.
What About Electric?
For electric equipment or vehicles, there isn’t as much you need to do to prepare for a temperature drop, except the colder weather will likely lower the operational range of the machine. In other words, you may need to charge the vehicle’s battery more frequently, especially if the operator is running the heater to keep the cab warm. If possible, it’s best to store equipment inside when it’s not in use for efficient battery charging prior to its deployment on the next shift.
Other Fluids to Care For
In addition to using different blends for the fuel, there are also winter blends for the engine oil, hydraulic fluids, and engine coolant. Be sure to refer to the operator’s guide for specifics on which winter-grade fluids to use, and get in the practice of topping off the fluids between the machine’s use.
If the equipment will be kept outside in cold temperatures, you may want to install an engine block heater to help make startup easier on the next shift. Always allow the engine to reach normal operating temperature before applying power to the machine. You should also slowly cycle the boom, bucket, and any other hydraulic attachments to warm the hydraulic fluid throughout the system.
Additional Checks
Cold weather has a habit of lowering the air pressure in vehicle tires, so be sure to check them and adjust as needed each day. Also, do a visual inspection to make sure the tire tread is clean and intact, and that there is no further damage that could cause a problem on the job.
Lower temperatures can put a strain on the batteries of the vehicle, even for gasoline- or diesel-powered rigs, and especially if the onboard heater is being used. Check the battery regularly to make sure it is fully charged and operating appropriately since the engine may need to idle more than usual to keep the heater running. The use of Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) can take the strain off the battery, but they can be expensive to install.
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Cold Snap
No matter what time of year, you can replace an older piece of equipment, transition to a newer model, or add an upgraded vehicle to your arsenal. With the largest online selection of new and used machines to choose from, we won’t leave you out in the cold.
Barrett Baker
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