We continue evaluating the advice provide by Case for ensuring equipment is properly managed during the cold winter months.
Logging-on brings the second part of this valuable information. In the first issue, we covered engine maintenance, protecting cooling systems and maintaining the undercarriage. In this issue we examine maximising battery life, taking care of tyres and bring general winter tips.
- Maximising your batteries: Preventative winter maintenance of the battery starts in the fall. There are a number of steps that operators should take to start preparing their equipment for the cold winter months. They should check that the battery electrolyte is up to the full indicator ring and over the top of the plates. Plates that have dried will never perform satisfactorily again. It’s also good practice to check the rated current output of the alternator and load test current output of the battery. Operators should clean any dirt and debris from the top of the battery; it can create a conductive path and slowly drain energy. If there’s any corrosion around the posts, clean them using a little baking soda and a terminal brush. One needs to ensure the terminal posts and cables have clean and secure contact, ensuring the best and most consistent current supply from the batteries to the machine. If the machine isn’t going to be used for the winter and will be stored outdoors, it’s best to remove the batteries and store them indoors to prevent freezing. When a battery is unused for an extended period, it is best to connect it to a battery maintainer to keep them at a full state of charge. An under-charged battery can perform well at higher temperatures, but its true condition becomes evident in freezing temperatures when starting current demands can increase by 200 percent and a battery, even in good condition, is reduced to 40 percent of its summer cranking current. Frequent starts and stops are also detrimental because the battery is never given the chance to fully recharge.
- Taking Care of Tyres: Tyres can fail easier during very low temperatures. Therefore, always keep tyres properly inflated, and remove counterweights when not in use, as they put additional stress on the tyres. Look for even wear, remove debris, and inspect tyres for any cracking and chunking.
- Good operation habits: Behaviours like minimising high operating speeds and on-road travel and alternating turning directions can be the difference between downtime and productivity. Pre-operation inspections and proper warm-up of the equipment is important. Warming up the machine reduces shock to components caused by cold fluids or hydraulic systems. The potential for blown hoses or O-rings increases with colder weather. Providing sufficient warm-up time will provide an operator with a more productive machine as well as a safer operation and a more comfortable operating environment. Excessive idling consumes fuel, warranty hours and contaminates diesel particulate filters. Condensation can build up in the crankcase, which promotes the build-up of acids and sludge, leading to costly downtime and potential repairs.