Cold Remedies
When the temperature on a jobsite is bone chilling cold, getting compact equipment power sources to operate properly gets tough. In fact, simply getting a small engine to turn over can be a tall task. “Starting is the key,” says Brian Brunelli, application engineer with Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power. “Just like with a car engine, when things get colder, things get slower and things get stiffer. So making the engine turn over becomes more difficult.”
Most compact equipment on a construction site is powered by air-cooled engines with less than 40 hp. Temperature extremes — hot or cold — can wreak havoc on the performance of air-cooled engines, according to Brunelli. Fortunately for equipment operators, there are a few preventative steps that can be taken to improve the performance of small engines during the winter months.
Fresh Fuel Is a Must
Fresh fuel is key to an engine performing up to its ability in extreme cold. Fuel volatility is adjusted by the fuel suppliers to the environment in which it is currently being used, Brunelli says. Fuel must have a higher vapor pressure during winter months to evaporate more quickly in the colder temperatures. That improves starting performance of the engine. Always operate equipment with fuel purchased within 30 days of purchase to boost engine performance in cold environments. Also, a fuel stabilizer can improve starting performance, according to Matt Anderson, Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power application engineer. Fuel stabilizers help lengthen the amount of time your fuel stays fresh and also improves repeated engine starts.
Synthetic Oil Performs Better in Cold
Selecting the correct oil type for cold temperatures can have a dramatic impact on an engine’s starting performance. For engines operating in an environment 40 degrees or colder, Anderson recommends using a 5W-30 synthetic. “The synthetic oil allows the engine to turn over easier compared to a heavier-weight oil,” Anderson says. “Heavy-weight oil can be like molasses in the cold, which makes starting really tough.” Brunelli agrees: “The physical properties of a synthetic oil are optimized to perform in cold weather.” To visualize the difference between a 5W-30 synthetic oil compared to a heavier-weight oil in cold temperatures, Brunelli says equipment operators should pour a little of each type of oil into separate cups and place them in the freezer. “The 30 weight oil turns to jelly or solidifies and the synthetic can still be poured,” he says. “You won’t be able to turn the engine over fast enough with the 30 weight.”
Be Aware of Your Battery Power
Cold temperatures have an extreme effect on battery power, which directly impacts electric starting performance. Batteries need to be charged more frequently in cold environments as a battery’s capacity drops substantially as the temperature decreases. Therefore, it’s even more important in cold temperatures to make sure the engine’s battery is charged properly. Not only does a battery have a lower capacity in frigid temperatures, but it is more apt to drain down in cold temperatures too.
“Batteries used for small engines are just like a car battery,” Brunelli says. “If equipment sits idle for a period of time in cold temperatures, it is more likely to drain down.”
Jeff Salem is a public relations associate for Swanson Russell, based in Lincoln, Neb.
