When the roads are too slick to travel in the winter, it’s not uncommon for operations to shut down for weeks on end. In fact, in cities like Spokane, Bend, and Prineville, four to eight weeks of downtime is almost expected. With valuable time lost, there’s a big push to jump right back into things at the end of winter and in the spring.
However, before you spring into action, don’t forget to schedule maintenance during the seasonal breakup. As the snow and ice melt away, and you start using your equipment more often, taking care of the maintenance allows you to ensure your equipment is ready for the increase in use.
Let’s take a closer look at seasonal breakup maintenance.
Why Is Seasonal Breakup Maintenance Important?
When equipment is not in use during the winter, it could break down and experience issues, affecting performance. By taking care of the seasonal breakup maintenance, you can get the equipment ready for operation again and ensure all repair and maintenance issues are handled. At the end of the day, this provides for a safer, longer-lasting piece of heavy machinery.
Now that you know more about the importance of seasonal breakup maintenance, below is a checklist to cover your bases.
Seasonal Breakup Maintenance Checklist
- Inspect for Signs of Wear and Tear: If your heavy machinery has been out of operation this winter, take a close look. Any rust or other deterioration can have an impact on the machinery’s overall performance. Take note of any wear and tear on the belts, seals, hoses, and other parts so that it can be addressed. Better yet – take it to a heavy machinery service shop, such as your local Triad Machinery. (We service forestry, cranes, and construction equipment.)
- Examine the Tires: Before putting your machinery back into action, observe the tires and tracks. The last thing you want is a popped tire while on a remote job. Check out the tires now before it’s too late. Also, if your tires don’t have much left in terms of tread, new tires are in order.
- Check the Fluid: Do a full fluid analysis of your oil, hydraulic fluid, and coolant to get a better understanding of any issues that could be going on with your machinery. In the process, make sure to replace your hydraulic fluid and add additional coolant if needed.
- Switch Out the Filter: If the filter is dirty, now’s the time to put in a new one. Otherwise, contaminants could go into your machinery, affecting its overall performance.
- Check All Connections: Test the wiring, batteries, and all else before you utilize your machinery. If anything appears to be out of order, take the time to fix it during your seasonal breakup maintenance before deploying the equipment to the field.
Are you ready to schedule your seasonal breakup maintenance? Contact your local Triad Machinery today. We are here for you.
