Tips to Use Your Bobcat® Equipment During Winter
Using your heavy equipment during winter is different than operating it in spring or summer. That’s because the cold season can cause unique problems in your machines, making it difficult and even unsafe to use them.
As your local equipment dealer, we at Bobcat of New Hampshire know a thing or two about using your machines safely. That’s why we have created this guide to highlight a few best practices you’ll need to follow when using your Bobcat® equipment in winter. Read on to learn more, and for more information, swing by one of our dealerships in Chichester and Hudson, NH, where we happily welcome our friends from Manchester and Nashua.
Getting Your Equipment and Staff Ready
The first thing you’ll want to do when operating heavy machinery in winter is get dressed for the cold.
Wear enough layers of clothes to remain warm when working outside. Even if your machines have a cab to keep you safe from the harsh weather, you’ll still want to wear extra clothing. However, ensure that this doesn’t hinder your mobility. In addition, ensure that your heavy equipment’s defroster is in good working condition and you have fantastic visibility when operating your machine.
Perform Daily Inspections
Another safety tip you’ll want to follow is to perform daily inspections of your machines before you start. Carrying out basic tune-ups on your pieces of equipment will help you optimize their performance and keep them working safely. Also, this will help you spot any faults that can cause your machines to break down during operation.
Train your staff to identify issues on the machines they work with, as this will ensure they know when to halt operations and seek professional assistance. Some of the essential components include the hoses, seals, the undercarriage of the machines, and your tires.
Give Your Machines Time to Warm Up
Incorrectly jump-starting your machine in the winter can put unnecessary stress on your batteries and lead them to break down. Also, this can lead you to seek costly repairs and suffer downtime at work. That’s why you’ll want to allow your machines, especially hydraulics, to warm up before you start using them. This will prevent your hoses, wires, and other vital components from getting damaged due to low temperatures.
Keep Your Machines Moving
In addition to the above points, you’ll want to make sure your pieces of equipment don’t remain stagnant for longer durations. Put your less-frequently used machinery through a few basic operations to keep them working smoothly. Even simple things like starting them now and then and keeping them turned on for some time can help prevent them from failure.
While you’re at it, you’ll want to lubricate all the moving components in your machines to boost their efficiency and lifespan. Also, don’t forget to top off any low-level fluids and add fuel supplements to maintain your fuel quality and engine efficiency.
Plan Breaks for Your Team
One of the unique problems of the winter season is that it can drain a lot of your energy and force you to lose focus. As you may know, operating your Bobcat equipment in such conditions can jeopardize your safety as well as the safety of others working around you. Ensure you and your workers rest well and stay hydrated when working to avoid any mishaps on the job.
We hope this guide helps you operate your Bobcat equipment safely during the cold season. For more advice, connect with our experts at Bobcat of New Hampshire. We’re in Chichester and Hudson, where we proudly serve Manchester and Nashua, so reach out today.