5 Tips to Get Your Equipment Ready for Winter
October 22, 2021
Prepare your Equipment for Cold Temperature with these Essential Steps
Winter weather can be unpredictable. From heavy snowfall to freezing temperatures, make sure your equipment is in top condition to tackle these jobs. Act early to prepare your fleet to avoid unscheduled downtime and increase worker safety. Here are five checks to smoothly transition your equipment into the winter season.
1. The Right Attachments and Machines
Before all else, having the right equipment for the job is crucial. This will be dependent on the size of your lot and/or project, type of work, budget, frequency of use, and other business considerations. Most popular winter job equipment includes Bobcat Skid Steer Loaders, Develon Wheel Loaders, and Vermeer Mini Skid Steer Loaders.
2. Winter Tires/Tracks
One thing that’s for sure about Canadian winters: everyone needs snow tires – including your equipment! Prepare your machines for jobs in the snow by swapping on winter tires in advance. Keep your workers safe and your equipment at top notch performance with the added traction and stability.
Throughout the winter, make sure to conduct regular tire inspections. Keep your tires properly inflated, be observant for wear, and check for cracking and chunking. Keep in mind that it will be time to replace your snow tires if you notice any chunking or the center of the tire is worn smooth.
3. Engine Maintenance
Avoid costly repairs and downtime by paying close attention to your machine’s engine. Maintain your fuel system with a deep fuel tank cap clean and a thorough inspection of the filter. Cooler winter temperatures can result in fuel quality issues. Therefore, it is best to switch over to hydraulic oils and engines oils specifically designed for cold weather.
Let our certified service team take care of your equipment maintenance. From same-day emergency repairs to long term planned maintenance schedules, our experts are ready to help with all your equipment servicing needs.
4. Undercarriage Maintenance
Proper undercarriage maintenance is essential to keep your machines running smoothly long term. It is best practice to clear snow and other debris from the undercarriage on a daily basis. Especially on winter days where temperatures flux, debris throughout the day can freeze solid over-night, and decrease your machines efficiency. Cleaning your equipment after each snowfall will prevent rust, and also increase worker safety through improved visibility and traction.
5. Batteries
Check that the battery electrolyte is filled over top of the plates to ensure high performance. Clean dirt and debris off the battery and make sure terminal posts and cables have secure contact. Also make sure to keep your batteries warm and charged for easy starting. This is critical because, in the winter, batteries need to generate twice as many cranking amps. For situations in under subzero temperatures, store the battery at room temperature when not in use.
At Williams Machinery we are committed to keeping you up and running all season long. In addition to selling, and renting equipment, we also have numerous service and parts experts to help with all your maintenance needs.
