As the days get colder (and wetter!), the rush is now on to complete projects. But that's no excuse for taking short cuts when it comes to maintaining your plant and equipment.
A drop in temperature can be tough on equipment, so this is the best time to ensure that your equipment is working 100% of the time at 100% efficiency!
Here are a few things to consider to maintain and protect your engines through the colder months:
Air filters
Maintaining and replacing air filters is likely to be a standard practice throughout the year. If not, it definitely should be through winter. Operating machinery in summer and autumn can create a large amount of dust and fine particles which clogs up air filters. So this is a good time of year to replace them and they should last for a good few months.
Also check for air leaks which may be letting polluted air into the engine as this is a prime cause of engine failure.
To determine which air filter you need, head over to our sister comany Holm Filters and use their handy 'Filter Finder' tool!
Coolants
Coolant is commonly used to prevent engines from overheating in warmer summer weather but it also protects against freezing, scale, corrosion and pitting on liners in diesel engines.
Throughout the summer months, the cooling systems on many of your machines may have been topped off by different operators, making it difficult to identify the specific gravity of the fluids. It is also possible that the wrong coolant could have been used!
Do you know which coolant you should be using? Check to see if you need conventional coolant or OAT (organic acid technology) coolant. The two mustn’t be mixed!
If the engine does have a coolant filter, be careful to ensure that it is replaced according to the OEM schedule. Also check the radiator, coolant lines and hoses for cracks or leaks and make sure that the radiator cap fits well and holds pressure.
We stock a variety of coolant products at HTS.
Click here for Blue Antifreeze
Click here for Red Antifreeze
Diesel fuel
As temperatures drop, it’s not uncommon for diesel to gel and create water condensation. This causes filters to block and sediment to gather in the bottom of containers and in the fuel tanks of idle equipment.
Be sure to check all fuel filters to ensure that they are clean and operating correctly.
With the cost of engines ever on the rise, a poorly functioning fuel filter can be a pricey problem! However, don’t be tempted to go for the cheapest option. A cheaper, less efficient filter could extend the period before plugging occurs, but it will let contaminants in which will only create more issues for you.
The most reliable way to avoid plugged fuel filters in the colder months is to heat diesel above the cloud point.
Fuel sat in storage containers onsite in near freezing conditions or below can easily be contaminated with water contamination. Remember to check first! There are many products available for cleaning fuel on site so don’t take the risk of contaminating your machine with dirty fuel.
Lube oils
Over time, diesel oils “shear down” reducing their viscosity range. As oil accumulates soot, it becomes thicker and harder to pump which has a detrimental impact on horsepower.
Consequently, if your oil is nearing the end of its useful life, it will not be able to provide the engine protection really needed in crucial cold-start situations. For this reason, you might want to consider changing your oil before temperatures drop too far.
In the video below, Roy talks through the points mentioned above in more detail...
Here at HTS, we pride ourselves on our ability to source and supply all the products our customers need to keep their engines healthy and performing efficiently.
We are proud to be a trusted partner with Morris Lubricants to offer an extensive range of performance oils and lubricants, for all construction machinery and equipment, covering a wide variety of application areas. This range of products is backed by the highest level of quality control and technical support, together with an experienced customer service team.
Click here to browse the range.
For more help or advice on looking after your engines through the winter, please contact our knowledgeable team on 01432 373350, or email info@htsspares.com.
