By now you will have noticed that the days are becoming shorter and the temperatures are definitely falling. This can only mean one thing – winter is here. For the farming community that means it’s time to get housing prepared for stock and ensure they have enough feed in storage to get them through the winter months.

For anyone with plant machinery it means its time to get your machinery winter ready. Whether it’s a backhoe, dumper or excavator, all machinery should be shown the same attention.

Exterior

Visually check around the machine, paying special attention to areas such as joints for signs of wear, check all the components for cracks as lower temperatures can lead to metal fatigue causing cracks to become worse and even break.

Check the windows and mirrors making sure they are clean and not broken, as broken or dirty mirrors and windows can drastically impair visibility. During the winter it rains a lot so replace the window wipers and top up the washer system with an anti-freeze mix.

Check that all lights are working including the flashing beacon. Clean down the machine and keep it free of any build-up of debris such as mud or snow. Hydraulic cylinder shafts should be greased to prevent corrosion from the weather and when parked should be retracted fully if possible. Inside the cab make sure it is clean and the heaters are operational.

Fuel and AdBlue

Another important area to look at is your diesel. Check with your supplier and specify that you are getting a winter grade diesel, which has a much lower freezing point.

When diesel reaches freezing point it turns into a gel which will not flow, causing the fuel lines to block and engine to not start.

The fuel system itself should be maintained correctly for the winter, which includes cleaning the fuel tank and making sure the cap is functioning properly, checking for water or sediment in the fuel, which is the number one cause of fuel injection system failures, and inspecting the fuel filter.

To avoid a frozen fuel tank in the morning, fill up at the end of each day as this will remove the space for air and moisture to accumulate and help to keep the temperature inside the tank above freezing.

Always keep the diesel tank clean of water, debris and sediment by draining the water separator daily.

If the machine uses AdBlue, it’s important to remember that it can freeze and thaw without affecting its ability to function properly.

AdBlue has a shelf life of about one year and should be stored in a plastic or stainless steel container, as it is mildly corrosive.

If filling up with AdBlue, make sure to leave room for expansion as when frozen it can expand by up to 7%, potentially cracking the tank.

Cooling system

An area that should be paid special attention is the cooling system, which consists of the radiator, coolant, water pump, reservoir and hoses. You should check that the coolant in the radiator is always filled up to the cap while also checking the cap for its proper relief pressure.

The header tank should be checked and the coolant level topped up to the mark if necessary.

All hoses and connections should be checked for their condition and replaced if necessary.

Coolant does more than just keep the cooling system from freezing; it also prevents corrosion, lubricates shaft seals, increases the boiling point temperature and inhibits cavitation, which is a damaging condition that erodes components. Because of this, coolants should be flushed and replaced at the manufacturer’s recommended hours.

When replacing coolant you should always check the concentration, which must be maintained at 50% when mixed. Pay special attention to whether the system uses conventional or organic acid technology coolants and never mix the two types.

Batteries

Cold weather itself doesn’t have a large impact on the lifespan of your battery but it does require twice as much cranking amps in order to get the engine to turn over which can cause stress to certain components such as the starter and alternator. The best practice is to keep the battery fully charged, allow it to warm up before starting, and clean any corrosion from around the poles with baking soda and a pole brush; this will make sure proper connection is achieved between the pole and battery clamp.

Avoid frequently starting and stopping the machine as this doesn’t allow the battery to fully recharge and can cause problems to both the battery and components down the line.

Undercarriage and tyres

The undercarriage of a machine is the most susceptible to wear and tear, particularly in the winter.

The undercarriage should be inspected at least once a year, ideally in the autumn before tackling the harsh winter.

When inspecting the undercarriage pay special attention to the slew ring, tracks, idlers, rollers and sprockets for signs of excessive wear and tear, as well as cracks or leaks that may indicate a potential problem.

You should also carry out a visual inspection every day to keep the undercarriage clear of mud and debris and to check for any loose or worn parts. If the machine is fitted with tyres they should be inspected daily for signs of cracks or wear and replaced if necessary.

Make sure the tyres are inflated to the correct pressure and are wearing evenly. Remove any debris from around tyre and check the valve and bead are sealed correctly.

Engine and hydraulics

When it comes to a machine’s engine, it’s important that you pay close attention to fuel, lubrication and air filtration as failure to do so could result in costly repairs and machine downtime.

All fluids must be checked and topped up if necessary, including engine oil, hydraulic oil, transmission fluid, coolant and gear oil. Pay special attention to their condition as oils with a higher viscosity will take longer to reach their ideal lubrication level, especially in lower temperatures.

Today’s synthetic and multi-grade oils cover the range of temperatures experienced throughout most of the year, but it is best practice to check that your oil is up to the task and replace if necessary with a winter-ready version.

Always warm the engine first before working it. This is good practice all year round but is even more important during the winter.

Warming the engine to its optimum operating temperature will help prevent the intake and exhaust valves from sticking as well as letting the oil warm to its ideal lubrication temperature so that it protects all the internal components.

You should also give your machine a nice stretch and cycle through all of the functions before commencing work; this will distribute warm oil through the hydraulics and cylinders, allowing them to operate easier.

Check over all the hydraulic hoses, paying special attention to wear points where the hose may be rubbing as well as cracks in the hose’s outer layer.

The colder temperatures may cause these cracks to burst leading to downtime, fluid loss and potential environmental contamination.

Summary

When operating equipment during the winter you should reduce your speed when working and on the road as this limits the stresses on the machine’s components. With these few guidelines and a small bit of time and money spent now in the comfort of your workshop, you can get your plant machinery winter ready and avoid potential breakdowns and headaches out in the cold and wet on site this winter.