8 Tips to Protect Your Bobcat Mini Skid Steer from Seasonal Damages
When working on a construction site, you must ensure that your bobcat mini skid steers are in the best shape possible.
Protecting the earth-moving equipment from potential seasonal damages caused by heat and humidity or colder weather is crucial for ensuring the machine’s longevity and optimal performance.
Always remember that the rubber tracks of a well-maintained Bobcat mini skid steer will last long, enabling the machine to operate more efficiently, experience minimum breakdowns, and yield higher productivity.
Investing time and effort in safeguarding these heavy-load machines during the challenging summer or winter months can ultimately lead to cost savings and extended lifespans for your valuable machinery.
Read further to learn the essential tips to help prevent your bobcat mini skid steers from seasonal damages this year.
Preventive Measures to Protect Bobcat Mini Skid Steers from Summer Heat
Consider following the following preventive measures to help your bobcat mini skid steers operate at their best when scorching summer hits:
Prepare your equipment before the summer
Taking preventive measures before summer will help your machinery last and continue to perform at its best during the hottest seasons of the year.
It’s recommended to check over your bobcat mini skid steers to make sure every part is in working order. Make sure to perform the following listed steps:
- Inspect fluid levels
- Check theskid steer track’s pressure and tension for the correct inflation.
- Grease all necessary components.
- Ensure there is no damage or corrosion to the equipment’s engine and cooling system.
- Check for leaks, clogged air filters, and worn-out hoses.
- Perform regular maintenance before the weather gets too hot or cold.
Taking these advanced precautions can save you from experiencing machine downtime and save expenses for maintenance or repairs when summer hits.
Also, when you’re searching for affordable skid steer tracks, ensure to choose reputed rubber track dealers.
Adequate cooling system
The equipment’s cooling system is critical in maintaining its performance by preventing overheating during hot weather. Below listed are a few essential steps you should take to maintain the skid steer’s cooling system:
- Keep the radiator and cooling fins clean and debris-free using pressurised air.
- Flush and replace the coolant once every year.
- Use the coolants that are designed to handle high temperatures.
- Perform pressure tests on the coolant system at least once a year.
- Check hoses for cracking or other damages.
Limit the sum exposure
The best way to protect your Bobcat mini skid steer is by limiting its sun exposure. You should park your equipment in a shaded area during idle periods to minimise the impact of aging on rubber tracks.
Exposure to direct sunlight for a long can intensify the heat absorbed by these earth-moving machines, potentially accelerating wear and damage.
You can also use temporary or permanent shelters to protect the skin steers from potent rays of sunshine and prolong their lifespan.
Moreover, when working in extreme temperatures, reduce the travel speed of skid steers to protect their rubber tracks for a long.
Give the machine time to cool down
Before shutting down the machine completely, let its engine idle for a few minutes. Since the excess heat makes the skid steers work harder, idling will let the engine system shut down slowly.
With a phased shutdown, you can prevent damage to the machine, especially to the turbocharger.
Preventive Measures to Protect Bobcat Mini Skid Steers from Colder Weather
Consider following the following preventive measures to help your bobcat mini skid steers operate at their best when colder weather blows in:
Prepare for storage
Your bobcat mini skid steers might not be used until the ground thaws, primarily when residing in the northern regions of Australia.
It will require proper storage to ensure reliable operation when your equipment returns to service. However, before storing the skin steer, you should complete these pre-storage preparation tasks:
- Thoroughly clean the mini skid steers of grease and debris, including its engine counterpart and undercarriage.
- Lubricate all machine components and oil the exposed cylinder rods to reduce rust and moisture.
- When the machine is cleaned, look for signs of machine damage and replace worn-out parts.
When the equipment goes unused for long in winter, consider operating it for a few minutes every two to three weeks to preventskid steer tracks from losing elasticity or becoming non-functional. It is also essential that you invest in high-quality and affordable skid steer tracks.
Check fuels, oils, and filters
When getting close to the machine’s preventive maintenance schedule, you should replace hydraulic fluids, fuels, and filters before storing them.
Leave the room for expansion when filling fluids, especially for the mini skid steers with diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). In winter, DEF can freeze, and its volume can increase.
Furthermore, place a fuel stabiliser in the fuel tank and run the engine for a few minutes before storing the machine.
Drain the water for the water separator and fill the fuel tank of your machine. Lastly, remember to inspect the air filtration system. Always use a suitable replacement filter to minimise the risk of premature engine failure.
Disconnect the battery
It’s advisable to disconnect the machine’s battery and store it in a cool, dry place, usually above 32 Fahrenheit. It will help reduce the potential for battery discharge.
If the Bobcat mini skid steer is equipped with batteries that need to be charged periodically, you should connect a trickle charger to help maintain the voltage at a slower rate and improve the battery life.
In addition, inspect and clean the battery connections, as corroded terminals can cause charging issues and hard starting.
Protect the machine from the elements
If you can’t store your equipment inside (in an enclosed, heated facility), you should park it in a dry, protected shelter, out of direct sunlight and wind.
Covering the machine with a tarp will protect it from moisture and prevent snow buildup. When you start the mini skid steer again, consider using a block heater to start the engine and let it run for a few minutes to get it up to the working temperature.
It will prevent the machine’s valves from sticking and distribute oil wherever required.
Bottom Line
Protecting your Bobcat mini skid steer during summer heat and chilly winter is crucial to the machine’s optimal performance and longevity.
By following the above-discussed preventive measures, you can protect your machine’s skid steer tracks, undercarriage, engine, fuel and filter systems, and other vital components from the impact of the scorching hot and cold weather.