Keep Cold Excavators Running Hot

Don’t let the “Brrrrr” of winter slow down the “Vroom” of your compact excavator. Before Old Man Winter arrives, get your equipment ready to work — even when “the weather outside is frightful.”

As the summer construction season winds down, it’s time to start thinking about where your compact excavator will need to work in the winter months. According to Jesus Santos, product specialist for Terex Construction, if you plan to run your excavator in the colder temperatures, make sure it is properly outfitted to maximize the productivity of your operator and your excavator. In addition to an enclosed, heated cab for the operator’s comfort, make sure your excavator is equipped with an engine block heater to keep the diesel fuel from gelling up while the machine is off.

Also, your excavator should have a built-in heating system for your machine’s vital components such as the hydraulics, auxiliaries and the engine — to keep them warm when the temperatures aren’t.

Before you start working for the day, Santos recommends taking the time in colder temperatures to warm up your excavator’s engine and hydraulic oil. Make sure your operators understand that they can’t just jump in the cab and go.

“Your compact excavator will have slower hydraulic response time at the beginning of its workday in freezing conditions,” says Santos. “Although warming up the excavator is always a good idea, it will not improve the hydraulic response time — machines need to operate for about 30 minutes before the hydraulic systems will begin to respond better.”

Santos continues: “When working in colder temperatures, you and your crew should use common sense when it comes to your excavator’s operation: Operators need to implement the same operating procedures as when working in mud, including driving slowly, making wide, three-point turns and avoiding abrasive, rugged or sharp surfaces.

“Driving in extreme cold should be done with great caution. The rubber tracks on your compact excavator are stiffer in freezing temperatures and much more susceptible to wear and tear.”

As the weather conditions change throughout the day, your operators should be aware of how the excavator is responding. Santos recommends: The colder it gets, the more frequent the maintenance checks should be.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Following the manufacturer’s recommended guidelines for cold weather operations is a must, says Santos. Your excavator’s owner’s manual will spell out specific tasks to do before the weather drops below freezing and the snow starts to fall.

At the end of the summer construction season (after approximately 1,000 hours of use), you should change the engine and hydraulic oils to fluids specifically designed for winter use.

During the winter months, Santos advocates conducting routine maintenance checks on your compact excavator before and after use — these checks should include the antifreeze, water in the radiator and the fuel, as well as the engine and hydraulic oil, to make sure none of these liquids have frozen or gelled. And, make sure the battery cables are properly fastened, and that the battery is charged and ready to go.

Before startup or after sitting idle, clean out any ice or snow that has accumulated in the tracks and check that the engine compartment and chassis are free of debris. It is also a good idea to make sure the windows and lights are clean and that the tracks are in good condition and properly tensioned. Make sure you reference the owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s specific guidelines to caring for your excavator’s rubber tracks.

To prevent corrosion and contamination from sand and salt used in the winter months, Santos recommends washing down and thoroughly cleaning your excavator after each use, while the machine is still warm. The wash down process is the perfect time to remove any embedded foreign objects from the tracks and to lubricate all moving parts.

“It is also an ideal time to check for any loose, worn, cracked, bent, broken or missing components — replace these items immediately,” finishes Santos.

Proper care of your compact excavator during the cold winter months will go a long way in protecting your valuable investment, increasing your machine’s life, longevity, and of course, productivity.

Amber Reed is a technical writer for Performance Marketing, based in West Des Moines, Iowa.