Regardless of how durable a machine is, severe conditions can cause a range of problems. That’s especially prevalent during the hot and humid months in summer when the temperature can put an excessive strain on heavy equipment. It’s crucial, to ensure all machinery is appropriately serviced to keep it running efficiently. When your machinery overheats it can cause a vast range of problems, such as declining productivity, decreasing profits and output, and missed deadlines. However, it’s not all bad news, proactive measures can help avoid overheating, which also prevents breakdowns and equipment failure. Here are a couple of helpful tips to prevent overheating in your machinery.
Implement Preventive Maintenance
Regular checks and maintenance are key with any machinery but it’s best to take a preventative approach so that you service the equipment before issues occur. Don’t waste time by waiting until the problem has occurred before fixing it. You not only waste time, but you risk running into more complications caused by other faults.
Create Application Guidelines
Using the correct equipment for the job is essential. Each component and attachment will have a specific purpose and using the machinery beyond those actions can put additional wear on the equipment or possibly increase the risk of damage The management team will establish a clear set of guidelines for usability and will brief the rest of the team on those limitations.
Clean Your Machine
This one is basic but necessary, keep your site and equipment clean. Remove any dust, dirt and debris which may for example clog up vents or slow down fans. It’s a simple step but it is no less important.
Store Equipment Properly
I know this one can be quite evident during the colder months but it is still just as important in the hotter temperatures, especially in non-ventilated storage facilities. If the equipment is out in the open, it ideally needs to be protected or covered to shield it from the sun. If it’s a really hot building maybe consider installing cooling fans or proper ventilation. Summer showers can also be problematic, as the rapid heating and cooling may damage equipment or components faster. Rust and corrosion are extra concerns that stem from moist and humid conditions. Just try to always protect the hardware from the elements.
Always Top-Up Fluids
As you know coolant checks are essential, but all fluids should be monitored before use, not just the more blatantly obvious ones. That will include fuel, oil, lubricants, and often even seals — even if they’re not liquids. If you don’t keep check on the oils then this will usually lead to overheating and then breakdowns. When certain fluids such as lubricants are not applied as much as they’re required to be, then the related parts wear faster and have a higher chance to fail.
Monitor Temperatures During Use
Regardless of if your machinery is old, new, the latest tech or a basic model, they are usually always fitted with temperature and performance gauges. Whilst these are good for basic use, if you want to get the most out of your equipment then the max level of protection will always be the way to go. So, you may want to install software that is more advanced such as smart sensors which will provide real-time data. During use, sensors can be a great tool to alert the operator as to when various limits are reached. If the machinery starts to show signs of overheating and temperatures pass a certain level, the sensor can send mobile or app-based alerts to various parties, including the operators and site managers. That would allow ample time to shut down the system or give the equipment a short break, lowering temperatures and preserving its performance.
Keep the Routine
We personally believe this to be the most important. You have made an investment and you want to ensure your machine’s life span is as long as possible, so keep your routine of maintenance. It may feel like a slog but by continuously doing these steps you will prevent downtime, damage, and the painful cost of repurchase.
Omnia Machinery is an industry expert in used construction equipment and a trusted machinery trader. We stock a wide variety of quality used construction equipment, to suit many different jobs, such as cranes, road equipment, quarry, earthmoving, piling, drilling, and underground mining. We provide our customers with all information and pictures with their quotation before any sale is agreed upon. From inspections to shipping, we are here to support you through every step of the transaction and keep you informed throughout the whole process enabling you to purchase in confidence. Contact us today with your machinery requirements.