As we move towards the winter season, Itec 2000 wants to remind our customers of some tips on how to prepare your heavy equipment for the upcoming cold weather.
- Check your battery connections and load check your batteries to determine their condition.
- Drain water out of your fuel tank. Most machines are designed with a drain or pet cock for this purpose.
- Use fuel conditioners. This should be used year round on all high pressure common rail fuel systems, however it is also beneficial to keep fuel systems ice free during winter months.
- Check your coolant level and test for condition to ensure that it will not gel up in the cold of winter.
- Test run your webasto or engine heater.
- Change your hydraulic filters. A dirty filter will bypass easier in the cold winter months which is never good for a hydraulic system.
- Change your engine and hydraulic oils to winter grade.
- Inspect your machine for seeping hydraulic hoses, worn out fan belts, and other wear items and change them before the cold weather hits.
- Remind your operators to allow the DEF systems time to circulate the fluid out of the lines before the master switch is turned off. The cold weather will freeze DEF that is left in these lines.
Working in Northern Ontario can be challenging during our coldest season, so please take the time to prepare now. If you have any questions on your particular piece of equipment, please feel free to contact our service department for further assistance.
