Top 10 heavy equipment maintenance tips for winter

If you own machinery, your main goal should be to extend its life for as long as possible. This means knowing how to maintain your heavy equipment -helping you to save time & money in the long run! From investing in the right machines to carrying out “preventative maintenance” and repair work. Heavy equipment upkeep is an easy process if you do it right - and we're here to tell you how!

Good maintenance can lower the risks of your equipment letting you down – it starts with taking care of the basics. We’ve picked the top 10 heavy equipment maintenance tips to help you keep your machines working at their best. Allowing you to get the most out of your investment.

10 Heavy equipment maintenance tips to live by this winter

In many places, winter months can mean bad weather and slow periods. This could mean your heavy equipment spends part of the year not being used. Before you lock up your heavy machinery for the winter, it’s important to make sure that it has been properly maintained and, if needed, repaired first. Saving you time and money when you start using it again, as you will have had time to order and fit any spare parts.

1. Read the heavy equipment user guides and manuals

The manuals that came with your machines are there for a reason. They give you information on using your heavy equipment, including guidelines for cleaning, maintaining, and correctly storing them. Spend some time reading the manuals – it won’t take you long. They are really useful, and you will be surprised to learn about the extra tips and pointers from the manufacturer.

Here’s an example from one of our manufacturers - ARK. This section of the manual shows how to operate and secure the hopper walls. It also includes where the main pins are located.

2. Keep your heavy equipment clean

This is a heavy equipment maintenance no-brainer if you want to keep your machinery working properly. Always clean your heavy equipment by thoroughly washing it and removing all the dirt, grime, and grease from the places it shouldn’t be. Leave it to dry before putting it away to avoid rusting, and cover it up if necessary.

3. Make a note of any wear & tear or damage on the machinery

Inspect your heavy equipment and look for any wear & tear or damage. Loose panels, damaged parts, or broken chains should be repaired or replaced as a preventative measure before the springtime rush when you’ll be under pressure. You can hire a local mechanic or technician if you’re still unfamiliar with your heavy machinery. Or give Machinery Partner a call - we are always happy to help too!

4. Stay on top of your preventative maintenance

Prevention is always better than cure. Stop problems before they happen by checking, topping up, and replacing any oil, air filters, and lubricants – including cleaning & filling grease points. Keep a log of when things are replaced or serviced to ensure nothing gets overlooked.

5. Use a preventative maintenance checklist

Create a preventative maintenance checklist to ensure that nothing gets skipped. Here’s a checklist that's supplied by one of our manufacturers, Barford. It goes through the main areas you need to check on the machine, making sure nothing is left out.

6. Keep employees up to speed with repair and maintenance training

What better time to train your employees in preventative maintenance and heavy machinery repair than when your equipment isn’t being used? Keeping employees updated on your machinery allows them to feel more comfortable operating and looking after your heavy equipment.

Here’s David from Machinery Partner teaching a new customer and his employees how to run and look after their new machinery.

7. Store your heavy equipment in a cool, dry place & check on it regularly

Leaving your machinery outside can be harsh and lead to a lot of unnecessary repairs. Protect your investment by storing it in a cool, dry, and secure location, away from anyone who may wish to damage or steal your equipment. Regularly inspect your property and handle any problems that may arise.

8. Deal with heavy equipment repair work straight away

Repair any issues as soon as possible. Otherwise, the problem may get bigger & more expensive to fix, or lead to even more damage. Delaying repair work may leave you scrambling to find a heavy equipment mechanic when you need your machinery the most.

9. Use a heavy equipment specialist mechanic

Find technicians by Googling “heavy equipment mechanic near me” and only make use of qualified, approved repair experts who have experience working on your heavy equipment model. You can also contact your manufacturer for recommendations or refer to Machinery Partner for expert advice on the best repair options for your heavy equipment.

10. Invest in high-quality heavy equipment

And possibly the best heavy equipment maintenance tip of all? Invest in high-quality equipment and machinery, to begin with. All the heavy equipment supplied at Machinery Partner has been tested and proven on-site to be reliable – if correctly maintained.

Taking Care of your heavy equipment this winter

Good-quality heavy equipment that is regularly serviced and maintained should continue to work smoothly, without breaking down or losing performance, for many years. But, like most things, everyday wear and tear, accidents, and minor component failures can cause even the best machinery to break.

At Machinery Partner, we believe in investing in dependable heavy equipment but also in looking after it. Speak to us about the best heavy equipment and machinery for your needs, from top-of-the-line mobile crushers to screeners, conveyors, and excavators. We’re also happy to give you tips and pointers on how to maintain your heavy equipment and what to do to take the best care of it this winter.

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