With all the digging and loading, often in harsh environments and rugged ground conditions, excavators are subjected to a lot of hard work and wear and tear on the job site.
If this heavy equipment is not well maintained on a regular basis, all the heavy work can start to take its toll on the safety, power, efficiency and overall performance of the excavator. It also increases the likelihood of machine downtime and potentially expensive repairs and parts replacement. All of this reduces productivity and increases the lifetime cost of the machine.
Taking a little time to properly maintain your excavator is a wise investment. Here are the highlights that should be included.
Before operating the excavator, take the time to carry out a daily walk-around inspection. The inspection does not take much time and can easily pay for itself if problems are found.
The following items should be checked prior to operation.
Check the air filter dust collector
Check that there is sufficient coolant
Check oil and hydraulic oil levels
Check for leaks in the compartment and under the machine
Check the track
Check coolers to ensure they are free of debris
Drain the oil/water separator
Make sure buckets have teeth on them and are in good condition
Check the wear plates on the bucket
Lubricate all pins and bushings daily
Check the controls and seat belts in the cab to ensure they are working properly
Remove rubbish and debris from the cab
Turn on the machine and check the controls, windscreen wipers, seat belts and air conditioning system
Check track tension once a week
Track tension should always be a little slack. If the tension on the tracks is too tight, the stress can cause unnecessary wear on the chain and sprockets. This can happen if the distance from the bottom chain to the landing gear frame is not measured correctly. This is a different measurement, depending on the type of material, so anyone performing the inspection should always check the operator’s manual.
Emptying the manifold every morning
Condensation often forms in engines overnight due to falling temperatures, so the first thing an operator should do before starting a shift in the morning is to empty the oil/water separator. Otherwise, water may enter the injectors where it turns into steam and causes corrosion. Not emptying the water separator is one of the most common causes of excavator failure.
Do not touch the air filter until the cab light comes on
Fiddling with the air filter can allow residue to enter the engine and grit can wear out the engine. The light on the cab dashboard will come on when the filter needs cleaning (twice only) or replacement.