TLC for TLBs

When the compact tractor loader backhoe (TLB) was first introduced several years ago, many saw it as a toy — a not-so-serious, smaller version of the full-size TLB. But as time went on and these machines gained jobsite experience, people started to realize that compact TLBs offered a nuance over its larger equipment cousin that justified its place in the market (performance combined with maneuverability).

Though these smaller machines couldn’t approach the power and payload of the full-size TLB, they still could offer the necessary capabilities to answer many tasks, while being compact enough to get into areas one wouldn’t dream of broaching with larger machines.

With its ever-increasing versatility and acceptance in the market, the compact TLB has experienced a boom in terms of usage and demand. But with increased demand comes increased responsibility for the owner and operator. Though these machines are built for rugged use, the more time they spend in the unforgiving conditions of most jobsites, the more need there is for proper maintenance to avoid costly downtime. It’s a fact that with time and continued use, all equipment will inevitably fail, regardless of how well built. It’s also a fact that conducting proper maintenance while recognizing and responding to common equipment warning signs will maximize the life of any piece of equipment. Therefore, the following are some tips on how to properly maintain a compact TLB and further its reputation as a versatile and dependable jobsite ally.

Read and Follow Directions

Perhaps the most logical resource for maintenance information, regardless of the type of equipment, is the owner’s manual. Within the manual, you can find suggested maintenance schedules and procedures, inspection checklists, troubleshooting tips, proper operational techniques and safety information. Unfortunately, few people give manuals the attention they deserve before operating equipment. In fact, it’s not unusual to find the operator’s manual still sealed and protected within its original plastic bag years after the equipment has been put in service — if you can find the manual at all.

One possible reason for this is that some assume that maintenance requirements and other vital information is roughly the same for different pieces of equipment. Even when looking specifically at compact TLBs, different models are built with different components. Therefore, a one-size-fits-all approach is not sufficient.

The first step you should take when purchasing a new or used piece of equipment is to consult the manual and develop a maintenance regimen based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. Most operator’s manuals will clearly detail the appropriate maintenance schedule for individual equipment models. And if the manual can’t be found, try the manufacturer’s Web site. Most leading manufacturers will have manuals readily available online for convenient access. The key is to understand that this information is provided so customers can get the most out of a manufacturer’s piece of equipment. The next step is to pay attention to this information and then understand how the manufacturer expects you to use it.

For example, the following is a daily, or eight-hour, maintenance checklist as suggested for a diesel compact TLB:

• Check engine oil level, fill if needed.

• Check battery electrolyte level.

• Check fan belt for tightness.

• Check oil cooler fins, clean as necessary.

• Check radiator hoses and clamps for leaks.

• Check fuel lines for leaks.

• Check air cleaner element.

• Check electrical wiring for damaged or loose connections.

• Tighten lug nuts to 80 ft lbs.

• Check hydraulic oil level, fill if necessary.

• Check all fasteners for tightness.

• Check backhoe bucket teeth, replace if necessary.

• Grease all swivel points (loader and backhoe).

• Check hydraulic hoses for damage and loose connections.

The first reaction you might have to this daily maintenance list is, “When will I actually get around to using the equipment?” Do manufacturers really expect mechanics and operators to conduct all of these checks before and after each use? The simple answer is “no.” Some items should be checked daily without question, such as checking the engine oil, but what manufacturers are trying to do with such substantial daily checklists is provide a guideline for what areas need regular monitoring. Perhaps you dontighten the lug nuts every day, but you should be aware that these are areas that need regular attention — and know that they can’t be put off for weeks or months at a time. At the very least, the mechanic or operator should do a daily walk-through of the equipment, while keeping this list of common problem areas in mind.

Clean the Machine

Before doing that daily walk-through, make sure the machine is clean. It’s ironic how some people view equipment. They will spend hours each week making sure their personal vehicle is spotless, whereas the perception of a piece of equipment is that, since it’s designed to work in the dirt, it should be dirty. They just leave it caked with mud and collecting dust. In actuality, much more value comes out of keeping equipment clean.

Whereas cleaning an automobile yields aesthetic value, keeping equipment clean results in easier-to-spot maintenance issues, less extensive repairs and greater uptime. Many times repairs begin with signs of wear or component failure, such as cracks and fluid leaks. If the machine is covered with dirt and grime, it’s possible these signs can go unnoticed until they become something worse, potentially resulting in equipment failure.

Furthermore, filth can hide exterior equipment damage such as dents and other evidence of operator misuse. Cleaning the equipment could reveal this damage and cue the mechanic
to investigate further to check for potential internal issues that lie behind a dent.

From time to time, it’s important to clean what’s under the hood as well, but make sure to do it appropriately. Always wait until the engine and hydraulic system are cool before cleaning. Cold water on a hot engine or hydrostatic pump can cause costly damage. Also, do not direct the stream of a pressure washer directly at the hydraulic system breather, since it is possible that water could get into the hydraulic system and contaminate the fluid.

Listen to Your Machine

Beyond the potential maintenance issues you can determine through routine checks and walk-throughs, it’s important for operators to pay attention to other issues the equipment may be indicating through other sights, sounds or smells.

Some of the most common indications of trouble include smoke, performance loss, squealing belts and other uncommon engine noises such as knocking sounds. If any of these behaviors are exhibited, you should stop the machine immediately and determine what’s causing the anomaly. All of these are symptoms of burgeoning problems and should be addressed as such to prevent larger, more costly issues from developing. Remember, any change in operation is a signal that maintenance is needed.

Shop Around

Of course, it’s important to conduct routine maintenance and watch for signs of problems with any piece of equipment, but is it possible to reduce maintenance requirements before ever purchasing a compact TLB? Definitely. That’s why a potential buyer should take the time to study the available equipment and determine several “maintenance-free” features that some manufacturers are building into their equipment.

Due to their extended versatility and ease of use, compact TLBs have become popular in the rental market. This rental popularity, in turn, has led to benefits for all owners and operators of compact TLBs.

How so? In the rental market, a machine with low maintenance requirements is of primary importance. Manufacturers and rental operators alike fully understand that the rental customer will not be conducting any routine checks or maintenance on their machines. Renters need a machine to do a certain job and there’s no way they’re going to spend any rental time maintaining someone else’s machine. All of this maintenance must be done by the rental operator — and the faster it can be completed and the machine can be back out on rent, the better.

Therefore, some manufacturers have been building their machines to be more robust and able to handle the rigors of rental, which results in better equipment for all. Features such as oversized pins on all areas of articulation, composite bearings and sealed joints to keep dirt out and grease in, and the elimination of metal-on-metal contact in the backhoe joints all contribute to machines with greatly reduced maintenance requirements. Furthermore, these machines typically offer smoother and more precise operation, which contributes to better productivity.

Obviously, it’s in a manufacturer’s best interests to continue to build compact TLBs with better components to increase durability and reduce maintenance concerns, but there will never be a machine that doesn’t require some regular care. That’s why these same manufacturers pour thousands of dollars into documentation, Web sites and other customer service devices. All that remains is for the end-user to use it. No matter how well built the machine, use the manufacturer’s documentation to develop a maintenance strategy, follow it and watch for warning signs. It may take some extra time, but the result is reduced headaches and a reliable investment that keeps paying dividends for years to come.

Doug Dahlgren is a product manager with Allmand Bros. Inc., Holdrege, Neb.