Excavators are meant for the toughest environments. They take on the most difficult task of hauling heavy loads throughout the year regardless of harsher operating terrain, dirt, mud, sun, snow, and rain.
They are also preferred due to their better fuel efficiency, higher productivity, low operating costs, and reduced equipment failure rates. However, they do require routine maintenance along with repairs to function at their best and provide you with the results that you require.
What are some signs that your excavator needs repairs?
Wear and tear caused by frequent use may cause your excavator to eventually break down. Thus, you should keep an eye out for the following signs that signify that your excavator needs repairs: –
- Abnormal Noises: – In case your excavator components are making unusual noises chances are there is something wrong with your excavator. Look out for hissing, screeching or grinding noises as they indicate that your excavator needs corrective action.
- Warning light Indicator: – A sure way to know that something is wrong is to notice if the warning light indicator is on. This lets you know that a component in your excavator isn’t functioning properly.
- Low levels of fluid: – The most common explanations behind low fluid levels are filter leaks or low hydraulic fluid levels. In any case, about this issue, you should consider repairing your excavator.
- Malfunction parts and systems: – A component breakdown can act as a catalyst for a chain reaction of malfunctions. This will cause a feature or a system to stop working and sometimes this can cause malfunctions throughout your excavator.
What are ways to keep your Excavator in prime condition throughout the year?
1. Maintaining and cleaning the undercarriage
Undercarriage build-up is very common for excavators as they have to function in dirty muddy terrains. Thus, your undercarriage should be routinely cleaned to remove dirt and debris.
This will prevent unnecessary wear and tear to the excavator. Make sure to look for damaged and missing pieces and oil leaks.
2. Check tracks
One of the best ways to check if your tracks have the right tension would be to check tracks. In case your excavator tracks are too loose or too tight it may cause excessive wear and tear to your tracks, chains and sprockets.
3. Check out air and fuel filters
Quite often debris may accumulate in your excavator’s air, fuel or hydraulic filters during operating outdoors. Thus regularly cleaning and changing out filters can help your excavator run optimally for a prolonged period.
4. Monitoring fluid levels
You should make sure that your fluid levels are at their recommended levels before and after the excavator has been used.
This way you will be aware of any potential fluid level issues as soon as they arise.
5. Draining of Water Separator
Just like other heavy vehicles, excavators are quite often kept outdoors overnight, this can lead to condensation building up on the engine. This can lead to your engine parts getting corroded.
Thus, to prevent corrosion due to trapped water becoming steam, you should drain your water separator every day.
6. Following proper digging techniques
Once you buy an excavator you will be provided with the operation and maintenance manual which can offer you the best tips and tricks to minimize wear and tear on the tracks. Adhering to these guidelines will help your components last.
What is the best excavator maintenance schedule?
- Your daily schedule for optimum efficiency should comprise checking the coolant, engine oil, and hydraulic system oil levels. You should also make sure to drain the fuel system water separator.
- Your monthly schedule should comprise changing the engine oil as well as the engine filter. You should also change the final drive as well as the swing drive oil levels.
- Every three to six months you should consider priming your fuel system and cleaning the fuel tank cap as well as the strainer. Moreover, you should also tighten the battery hold-down and replace the case drain.
If you are planning to invest in a good excavator then you should consider exploring the options available for a used excavator for sale.
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