Contractors Hot Line is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
Contractors Hot Line is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
We receive regular reminders about how important it is to maintain our heavy equipment, but sometimes it is easy to forget the equal importance of attachment maintenance. After all, an excavator without a usable bucket is little more than a glorified golf cart. Although attachments are not nearly as complex as the machines they are attached to, many of them do have similar components such as hoses, fittings, hydraulic assemblies and fulcrums and pivot points — all of which require the same level of care as the machine itself.
Also, maintenance procedures are dynamic. Except in single-season climates, weather changes always factor into any maintenance agenda. What might be a minor concern in fall could become a critical issue in the dead of winter. What care do our attachments need year-round, and what additional or increased attention do they require during the blaze of summer and the chill of winter? Let’s first of all consider regular ongoing upkeep.
Year-Round Maintenance
According to the NMC Cat website, “The No. 1 way to prolong the longevity of your heavy construction attachment is to determine the right type for each piece of machinery.” The article goes on to say that factors such as climate, jobsite conditions and the material that is being worked in should all be taken into consideration. Why? “Specific attachments are for particular environments, machines and substances, so it’s vital to research which will best fit your application.”
Never try to force an attachment onto a piece of equipment that it wasn’t designed for. Whereas you might be able to get away with this kind of jerry-rigging with a hand tool on occasion, doing so with heavy equipment will not only damage the attachment but likely the machine as well.
Here are some tips for prolonging the lifespan of your attachments:
Regular inspections are an absolute necessity. The best way to begin any workday is to do a walkaround inspection of the entire machine, attachments included, but in-depth inspections should also be part of regular scheduled maintenance.
Here are a few things that should be part of your attachment care regimen:
Storage of attachments is also an important factor to keep in mind since some add-ons are used considerably less than others. They should be stored in a sheltered area off the ground and away from moisture and direct sunlight. Here is a checklist for pre-storage maintenance:
Summer Protection
Although heavy-duty attachments are designed to be able to withstand much of the sun’s damaging rays, they still need to be given proper consideration in order to work efficiently and to extend their lifetime.
Prepare for the summer extremes before the season begins. Schedule a diligent inspection and maintenance routine just before the first heat wave is forecast. Grease and other fluids lose some of their lubricating ability in the heat, which can lead to unnecessary wear and tear. This in turn can result in unplanned downtimes and loss of productivity. Stay on top of this problem by bulking up the grease fittings and topping off other fluid levels that the component might have. Summertime is more humid in some places and hot fluids attract water, so keeping fluid levels up will prevent water infiltration.
Due to natural expansion and contraction caused by weather changes, rubber seals, quick-connect fittings, attachment hinges and even nuts and screws can become loose, potentially leading to leaks, rattles and inefficient functionality. Check these regularly during the summer and tighten, repair or replace, as necessary.
Storage is also an important factor to consider. Attachments that are not in use should be sheltered away from direct sunlight. This might involve putting them in a storage room or at least covering them with tarps, umbrellas or other shading devices. An attachment should never be left sitting out in the weather for days on end during the summertime.
Winter Care
Frigid winter weather brings its own set of challenges to attachment maintenance. Although intense heat can wreak havoc on these tools, extreme cold can be even more damaging. What can be done to keep attachments in top shape even in the most inclement of winter weather?
We know that adequate warm-up procedures are necessary for machinery, but they are just as important for attachments. Damage can occur if these procedures are not followed. Warm up the machine as usual to bring it up to working temperature. Do this before operating the attachment. Then, with the engine at half throttle, activate the attachment for five seconds and stop for 15 seconds. Repeat this cycle for two or three minutes before starting work.
Rubber components are as subject to damage during the winter months as they are in summer. Cracks and tears are not uncommon during these months. Although damage cannot be prevented entirely, it is prudent to keep a supply of spare seals, rubber mounts, hoses and fittings on hand so they can be changed out quickly.
As mentioned previously, many attachments are designed specifically for cold-weather applications, and these advantages should be exploited. Frozen ground is much denser and more compacted than thawed ground and traditional methods of earthmoving just don’t cut it when temperatures dip below zero. But using the right tool for the job can save time and unnecessary wear and tear on the component. For example, one specialized hydraulic ripper designed for frozen ground can outproduce hydraulic hammers and static rippers by 10 times.
Make sure that your add-ons are adjusted to work at full efficiency as well. Follow recommended maintenance and cleaning requirements to avoid corrosion of exposed mechanical parts. Ensure that the cutting edges on the attachment are adjusted properly to ensure even contact across the surface in order to avoid unnecessary damage.
Prolonged exposure to the cold may adversely affect grease and hydraulic fluid, making it less viscous and harder to pump. If your regular grease gets too cold, it may block the lines and make it impossible to push low-viscosity/low-temp grease into the lines.
When temperatures begin to rise again, change back to your normal fluid regimen to prevent low-viscosity fluid from damaging your components. Check the operating manual or ask your dealer about the best products and practices in your area and change these fluids before problems occur.
For storage of attachments, follow similar practices in the winter as you would in the summer. Make sure that they have a dry, protected area to be stored. Clean and degrease them. Repair or replace any damaged components. Top off the lubricants and tighten any loose fittings. Protect exposed hydraulic cylinders with grease or a protective spray to prevent corrosion. Even a tiny bit of rust can cause pitting which will damage the cylinder seals and create leaks when the attachment starts to operate again.
Even though they may be designated as “add-ons,” attachments are really the primary working components of the machinery — the “business end,” so to speak. They require the same respect and care as the machine itself. Given the right attention, these humble extensions will continue to do the “heavy lifting” for your mighty machinery for decades to come.
