What to Know About COMPACT EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

Equipment manufacturers lay out what types of maintenance rental companies should be performing on their compact equipment.

Nowadays, projects are more likely than ever to last through the fall and winter, so regular, ongoing maintenance of compact construction equipment is vital.

Luke Gribble, solutions marketing manager with John Deere’s Construction & Forestry Division, says there often is no offseason for compact construction equipment.

“While some parts of the country may not have as much construction activity in winter months, a growing number of customers are turning to applications like snow removal to keep machines working throughout the year,” Gribble says. “Additionally, warmer climates require machines to be working year-round.”

That means maintenance of skidsteers, compact track loaders and excavators, wheel loaders, smaller backhoes and other types of compact construction equipment should continue through the fall and winter months and into the spring.

“Maintenance should be prioritized each day,” Gribble says. “To keep any machine up and running on the job, it’s best to incorporate a maintenance route and follow best practices to keep it operating for longer.”

Some of that care is generic. For example, all machines need thorough inspections of all parts. Look for wear and damage. Keep the components greased and top off the oil, engine coolant and other fluids.

Cleanliness is another key factor, says Mike Fitzgerald, marketing manager with Bobcat Co. He says neglect in cleaning can cause filters, vents and electrical components to become clogged or even damaged.

“Regular washing can prevent the buildup of grease and mud,” Fitzgerald says. “Remember, cleaning protects much more than valuable aspects of your equipment than its paint job.”

Here are more steps rental companies can take to maintain their compact equipment fleet so it’s ready for their contractor customers.

Keep the fuel tank filled. As temperatures rise and fall, condensation can fill empty space in the fuel tank and mix with the fuel once fuel is added. Filling the tank as the construction season ends keeps condensation out of the tank.

Use the right engine oil. Fitzgerald says the oil viscosity should match the temperature outside. A 10W-30 oil is good for temperatures down to minus 20 degrees F, but for better coldweather lubrication and protection in temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees F, try a 5W-40 synthetic oil.

Charge the battery. Freezing temperatures can force a loader’s battery to crank twice as hard to turn over and deliver fuel to the engine.

“Before the next project or snowfall, run a load test and check wires and connections for wear or corrosion,” Fitzgerald says. “Even a small defect can result in a loss of cranking amps, leaving you with a dead battery and freezing your project.”

Check the track sag. Gribble says tracks excessively tight can wear down too quickly. If tracks are too loose, they can cause instability in the machine, and the tracks can break loose from the sprocket. Determine the proper track sag by removing all debris between the track and the sprocket, finding the third roller from the rear of the machine and measuring the distance between the bottom of the roller and the top of the track. That distance is the track sag. Consult the operator’s manual for track sag specifications.

Clean the undercarriage. Gribble says the undercarriage is integral to the machine’s mobility and productivity. At the end of each day, check the undercarriage for buildup of material and debris, which can damage components or cause them to freeze.

Fill cold loader tires. Tire pressure drops with the temperature, and cold weather makes the rubber stiffer, so always check that pressure.

“Repair any leaks suffered in the busy season during your regular maintenance schedule,” Fitzgerald says. “A small leak or nail in the tire is easy to put off in warmer weather because you may only have to fill your tire once a week. In winter, once a week can turn into once a day.”

“Stretch” the equipment. For compact construction equipment, stretching means allowing the machine and its fluids to warm up before use, especially if it hasn’t run for some time.

Gribble recommends a warmup period each day and a cooldown period at the end of each shift to protect the engine and hydraulic parts.

Ensure the cab is comfortable. Inspect door and window seals to make sure that heat doesn’t escape the cab. Test the heating and defrosting systems.

“Freezing temperatures are no time to test your toughness,” Fitzgerald says.

Prepare attachments. Attachments need as much attention as the loader. Inspect the hoses, cylinders and guards, cutting blades and edges for signs of wear or damage.

“If the attachment requires maintenance or lubrication, check the fluid levels before you head out into the cold,” Fitzgerald says. “This is especially important for snow removal attachments that have been collecting dust in your garage since last winter.”

Routine maintenance of compact construction equipment is one of the best ways to avoid downtime.