How To Maintain Machines For Hot Temperatures

Even though the summer months are getting behind us, heat is still deadly when it comes to machines on the job. There are more summers ahead of us and even warmer temperatures than usual can affect machines.

Specifically in that heat does a number on equipment wearing down and breaking down. As a result, it’s important for us to be more prepared for weather and in those extreme cold or heat situations.

Reading through the operator’s manual guidelines is one good step, but there is more that you can do to maintain your machines for these conditions. Here is how you can stay on top of maintenance.

Be Proactive

Summer months are particularly busy because it’s where many construction jobs are done. The last thing that you or the crew needs is a machine that breaks down during that time.

The best way to do this is to have in place a proactive plan. This plan should have you doing the following on a regular basis:

• Cleaning. Pay attention to the radiator too to ensure it’s clean and free flowing.
• Keeping services up-to-date
• Greasing
• Check the fluids are at the appropriate level.
• Coolant is mixed correctly to the operating environment and temperature.
• Fan and fan drive belt are adjusted properly.

All of this ensures that the air flow passages are clean and that the machine is able to exchange hot air in the engine with cool air from outsider. When air flow is blocked for whatever reason, the engine compartment can quickly turn into a hot box. This traps the heat and damages the engine.

When Extreme Heat Hits

Even during those cooler days, you want to be staying on top of that routine above. Because when the temperature spikes, the components will naturally be working harder and wear out faster.

When these temperatures occur, you’ll still want to be vigilant and look out for the following:

• Check the display on the machine to determine if it’s working at optimum capacity. Pay attention to this over the course of the day.
• Verify if the machine is in stressed conditions. If so, put it under some shade to cool it down faster. Stressed units are dangerous to operators and anyone around them.
• Don’t shut down a machine immediately. Let it run idle for a while before shutting it down.
• If possible, check the engine temperature on a regular basis. This is easy to do if the machine is equipped with Takeuchi Fleet Management. If you spot any irregularities, this system will pick it up before anything serious happens.
• Don’t neglect yourself. Be sure to be hydrated.

Handle The Heat

It’s easy to get into the mindset that when you’re operating a machine, you’re indestructible, but that’s not the case. Machines do have limitations and it’s important for us to know them – especially when running them in extreme heat or cold.

By taking these maintenance measures to heart, you’ll have an easier time using the machine amongst many other benefits.