Winter is around the corner and in many parts of the world, it has started weeks before. It is imperative to have your construction equipment ready for the obstacles that come with the next winter. Winter weather can have an impact on not just the state of the roads, but also vital components of your machinery like engine oil, coolant, and diesel fuel. The effectiveness, security, and general longevity of your equipment can all be under the influence of these weather fluctuations. Hence, it is essential that you evaluate and improve your equipment maintenance processes to ensure you get the most out of your uptime while maintaining your construction projects going smoothly during the winter.
Viscosity in Engine Oil
Engine oil should be one of your top priorities throughout the winter months. It is important to consider viscosity, which gauges how resistant a fluid is to flow. Reduced viscosity leads to smoother flow, which lowers friction when oil is in motion.
However, you need to know that the letters and numbers on the oil packaging denote the conditions the oil is suitable for. The “W” in “15W-40” stands for “Winter,” while the numbers before and after it indicate how well it performs during cold starts and once the engine reaches operating temperature, respectively. You should use oil having a lower first number as the temperature drops for better cold-weather beginning. A totally synthetic 5W-40, for instance, is thinner than a 15W-40 and is best used in the winter because of this. Even though it costs more, it provides better safety.
On the other hand, diesel oils can deteriorate over time, thickening and reducing the horsepower of your machinery. An essential part of the winterization procedure is checking your oil before winter and keep them ready to keep your project running seamlessly.
Choosing the Correct NLGI Rating for Grease
During the winter season, you must choose an appropriate grease for your equipment. There are specific types of grease to be used in particular equipment like used road roller. Check the equipment manual to find out which type of grease is suitable for it. Numbers from 000 to 6 are used in the National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI) rating system to represent grease’s flow rate and thickness rate.
Remember that the higher NLGI values (00, 0, and 1) are preferred in cold conditions because they flow better. You should avoid mixing different thickeners while switching between seasons by sticking to greases that include the same thickener (such as lithium, calcium, aluminium, or sodium). Also, consider running a test on the grease to check for impurities or degradation in a modern analysis facility before working with them.
Engine Durability When Starting in Cold Weather
A must-follow step in getting your equipment ready for winter is cold weather startup. The longevity of your machinery can be considerably increased by starting it and letting it warm up before usage. This approach is essential, particularly in areas with extremely low temperatures. Shorter warm-up times are possible with modern diesel engine technology, which eliminates the need to run your engine continuously in the cold.
Maintaining Your Equipment While Storing It
Maintenance is a must for individuals who intend to store their equipment during the winter. Before storing your equipment, consider the following:
Do you have a location where you can store your equipment? How often can you inspect the equipment that you are going to store? Do you have a strategy for transferring large pieces of equipment when necessary? Can you keep the undercarriage from gathering ice and frozen debris? Do you have the means to remove the batteries from each piece of equipment throughout the season?
It is essential to give your equipment a thorough cleaning to get rid of dirt and impurities from the exterior, before and after each use. By doing this, snow, slush, and salt will stay away from sticking to cracks where they can cause rust and corrosion. Do not forget that maintenance of tires is as crucial as your equipment. Store your equipment on wooden planks to prevent your tires from freezing to the ground and losing integrity.
Furthermore, make sure your equipment has winter gasoline, full additives, and full synthetic oil (such as 5W-40), and that the hydraulic fluids and battery power are in good condition if you intend to use it during the season. Maintaining batteries at full charge is also a better idea for ensuring the smooth and secure functioning of equipment since cold temperatures can reduce battery power.
Conclusion
Winter may be difficult on construction equipment, but with the proper upkeep and safety measures, you can make sure your fleet performs at its peak even in the worst winter weather. A proactive strategy like winterizing your construction machinery can help you save time and money. You can increase the lifespan of your equipment and lower the likelihood of expensive failures and repairs by adopting the appropriate precautions. Being proactive is more important than ever in the difficult supply chain process because getting new parts now often takes much longer than it did in the past. You can keep your equipment functioning effectively and your costs down by stressing the value of winterization to your personnel.
