Summer Heat

Kids, little boys in particular, have an innate fascination with big machines. From the “small” 15-ton bulldozer to the dump truck that has a curb weight pushing three-quarters of a million pounds, heavy equipment seems almost magical to them. Of course, at that age, maintenance of this equipment is not only of little interest, it likely doesn’t even enter their young minds. But the grown-up reality is machinery needs proper maintenance to operate properly, much like our bodies.

When I was nine or 10, my dad, who was an operating engineer in the mid-20th century, took me to work one day to show me his crane. I remember the first time I saw a huge yellow machine with the word “CAT” emblazoned on its side. It was so big, and so cool looking. I recall hanging on for dear life as he demonstrated how this gigantic, pre-Transformers monster actually worked. I was appropriately impressed, thinking to myself, “Wow, this is a really neat machine! I bet it will
last forever.”

Of course, it didn’t. Neither did he. Construction equipment has come a long way since my dad’s day, but one thing is as true now as it was then: any machine, mechanical or organic, is only as good as the maintenance it receives. The better it’s taken care of, the longer it will last. Sounds just like something our moms and doctors have been telling us for years.

With summer now upon us, our equipment faces an element that has the potential for causing serious, and sometimes irreparable, damage — extreme heat. We already know that extreme heat can damage our bodies, and we take precautions to protect ourselves from dehydration, heat stroke and so forth. It is just as important that we take steps to ensure that our machinery will not only be able to withstand the onslaught of summer heat, but work through it at peak efficiency. Let’s discuss some preventive and ongoing maintenance recommendations that will get our equipment through this sizzling season in top shape.

Do Preventive Maintenance

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Though timeworn, this truism is also timeless. It is extremely important to prepare our equipment for the heat before it gets hot. Thoroughly check the fluid levels, cooling system, tire pressure, and lubricants before the hot days begin. And maintain daily checks throughout the summer. According to Essential Construction, predictive maintenance can reduce downtime by 30% to 50% and extend the machine’s life by up to 40%.

Limit Exposure

“Don’t stay out in the sun too long. And don’t forget to put on your sunscreen!” Our mother’s reminders still ring in our ears. Similarly, it is important to limit our machine’s exposure to the sun’s damaging rays to the extent possible. Even though much of this exposure is unavoidable, our equipment should be stored someplace cooler when not in use, even during lunch breaks, if possible. Find a nearby tree, storage building, or some kind of covered protection. If there are no such places at the worksite, cover the machine with reflective tarps to ward off at least some of the direct heat during the downtime.

Minimize Peak Hour Use

The hottest time of day is typically between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. in most places. Although not running the machinery during those hours is usually not an option, at times some adjustments are possible. For example, some operations may have enough flexibility to be scheduled at different times of the day. Adjusting start times, lunch breaks and quitting times may also be possible. Failing everything else, just remain vigilant about watching the dashboard dials, listening for unusual sounds and generally keeping the machine’s operation at top-of-mind during the peak hours.

Allow Time to Cool Down

When it is time to let the equipment rest—during breaks and at quitting time—it is best to phase the shutdown rather than just turn the motor off. If you are an athlete, a runner in particular, you understand the concept. In addition to doing warmup exercises prior to starting a run, it is also recommended you do some cooldown exercises before hitting the showers. Your equipment can follow the same guidelines. Let the engine idle for a few minutes before turning it off or putting it in sleep mode. NMC Cat says that following this routine procedure can prevent damage to the engine, the turbocharger in particular.

Storage

When the workday is over, it is still necessary to extend protection to our machinery until its next day of use. Just as we park our car in the garage before we go into our air-conditioned house after work during the summer, we should have the same thoughtfulness for our equipment. Is there a large storage building on the job site that it can be parked in overnight? If the job is going to be long term, can a temporary shelter be constructed on- or off-site for overnight and weekend storage? Having that cooler downtime can really help recharge the batteries — in this case, literally!

Cooling System

Probably the most important system designed to keep a piece of machinery cool is, well, the cooling system. The machine’s cooling system along with its primary component, the radiator, can be compared to the hypothalamus of the human body. The hypothalamus is a gland in the brain that acts like our body’s thermostat. It constantly checks our current temperature and makes sure that we don’t overheat. The radiator is in charge of normalizing the temperature of the engine and preventing overheating. So, it is imperative to keep the radiator clean and in good shape at all times, but especially throughout the summer. A CatUsed blog states, “When your machine is left dirty, things like mud, sticks and leaves can become caked on or stuck and cause the equipment to perform poorly, leaving it more susceptible to heat damage.” Alex Lyon & Son offers these tips: “Keep your radiator clean using pressurized air, replace your coolant once a year, perform annual pressure tests, make sure the fans are clear of debris and check your hoses for cracks or other problems. If all these things are working correctly, your machinery will stay cool.”

Use Displays

Technology has become a way of life for most of us. Active people use their FitBit or Apple Health app to monitor their body’s systems. So, it only makes sense to leverage technology to monitor our heavy equipment’s performance as well. The displays on the machine’s dashboard can track temperature fluctuations and operational stress, allowing us to make proactive adjustments and perform timely interventions. Just as we wouldn’t (or shouldn’t) ignore the “check engine” light on our car or the warning beeps on our stress monitor, we should pay attention when the machinery’s gauges tell us it’s time to take a break. Never push your equipment to the limit and increase its temperature just to finish the job. Doing so could lead to even costlier delays from repairing or replacing a blown engine.

Additional Tips

To round off this discussion, there are a few points that fall in the “miscellaneous” category regarding care and maintenance of heavy equipment during extreme heat. These come from comments made by manufacturers, dealers, auctions and equipment rentals and deserve an honorable mention.

• When making repairs to older machines, utilizing newer heat-resistant materials, such as hoses, belts and seals can enhance durability and performance.
• Newer machines make use of a lot of plastic parts, particularly in the electrical system. Whereas these are preferable from an economical and practical standpoint, they do pose an additional risk, that of melting under extreme heat. Regularly monitor the systems that use such components to help reduce the chances of unnecessary downtime.
• Cenex Corporation recommends using synthetic lubricants in all your machinery. Heavy equipment is susceptible to engine sludge and oxidization. The uniformity in shape and size of the molecules in modern-day synthetic lubes make them a smart precaution to protect your equipment from the added wear during summer.
• Extremely dry summer weather can cause additional problems. Components such as belts and seals are more susceptible to cracking. Also, dry air causes static electricity to build up which can bring about errant discharges in equipment. Stay aware of these potential problems during daily inspections.
• Rentco offers this reminder: “Hot weather affects more than just the engine; it also impacts your equipment’s tires. As temperatures rise, tire pressure increases, which can lead to premature wear, reduced traction, and decreased fuel economy.” It can also increase the risk of blowouts. Daily monitoring and maintaining tire pressure according to the manufacturer’s specifications is essential for optimal equipment performance.

Heavy equipment has enjoyed massive improvements since my dad’s day. When he retired in the 1960s, he was still pulling and pushing 5-foot-long direct-drive mechanical levers from an almost standing position. Many operating engineers today enjoy the comfort of an air-conditioned cabin equipped with five-channel stereo, sit in a comfortable captain’s chair, and operate those huge earthmovers with a few small levers and joysticks. But one thing has not changed from my dad’s day: the need for regular care and maintenance of these behemoths. Like our bodies, they are not indestructible. And in today’s economy, replacing one — or even repairing a broken one — can cost a king’s ransom.

How much more prudent it is to invest in a pound of prevention in the form of regular maintenance and care than to be forced to invest in a ton of cure.