Construction Equipment Winterization Checklist
Let’s Get your Construction Equipment ready for Winter!
We all know those cold winter months are just around the corner. As we begin to dress warmer, let’s not forget the importance of winterizing our construction and diesel engine equipment. With knowledge of how to protect your equipment, avoiding things like; higher fuel consumption, less power output, and hard starts is possible. Protecting and maintaining your equipment will keep you safe, save you time and money, and help keep things running efficiently.
Here’s your winterization checklist when preparing construction and diesel engine equipment for lower temperatures:
1) Make sure to use the seasonally correct fuel, oils, grease, and fluids.
2) If you are using fuel additives make sure you know what you are adding, as some may not be compatible with your fuel system.
3) Keep your machines clean, including the track, undercarriage, driveline, articulation joints, and steer cylinders.
4) Don’t forget to plug in vehicles with block heaters.
5) Filling the fuel tank every night will reduce condensation.
6) Letting your engine idle overnight? Be sure to keep it above 1100 rpm. This way, the engine will create heat and generate a more efficient burn of the fuel. (Overnight engine idling is recommended only for regions with extremely cold temperatures.)
7) Change your air filters if needed.
8) If your style filter includes a drainage bowl, drain it overnight to prevent the water from freezing.
9) Winter months mean less sunlight, protect yourself on the job site, make sure all your lights are working.
10) Make sure all batteries are working. A fully charged battery will be 12.6 volts when checking with a voltmeter.
Regularly protecting and servicing all your Volvo equipment is important in all seasons. Keep your equipment protected with the correct seasonal fuels and monitoring programs. Your local Redhead Equipment can help you proactively spot potential issues before they become a major problem.