With winter upon us, some of us will be working in the cold, especially on icy mornings. While sub-zero temperatures are uncommon in most parts of New Zealand, it pays to have your hydraulic equipment prepared for the cold in case the temperature dips, as the cold can cause damage. Let’s look at what you can do to maintain equipment so it’s ready for use in wintry conditions.
Make sure you check the manufacturer’s guidelines for the type of hydraulic fluid to use in cold conditions and change or top up your oil if necessary. Every hydraulic system has an optimal pressure range for safe operation, and the cold can affect the viscosity of the fluid. If the viscosity of the fluid is out of the optimal range, you’ll risk performance issues and potential damage.
Again, refer to the manufacturer’s specifications for the amount and type of antifreeze to use in your machinery and keep those levels topped up, including antifreeze for the fuel if necessary. If your machinery has window washers, it’s a good idea to change the washer solution to one that includes antifreeze to clear iced-up windows and keep them clean.
Cold temperatures affect tyre pressure, making it fall gradually as the temperature drops. If your tyres aren’t properly inflated, you’ll risk having traction issues on slick surfaces like frosty ground or roads. Check the pressure every morning before starting work to make sure your tyres haven’t lost pressure.
The cold weather can also affect battery efficiency and put demands on its power output to get machinery started. If your battery fails to start your machinery, you’ll have an unwanted delay while you recharge it or find a replacement. Check your battery levels and keep them charged.
During the dirty and dry months of summer, your filters do the most work keeping your hydraulic fluids clean, which means they’re collecting contaminants. As winter nears, it’s a good time to do some preventative maintenance to check and change filters if necessary.
The cold makes everything stiffer and less flexible, which includes your hoses. In this condition, you have more chances of developing cracks. You can circumvent this problem by starting the engine and allowing it to idle. This warms up your machinery and lets it get to the right operating temperature before doing any work that may strain hoses or any other parts of the system affected by cold.
Finally, it’s wise to store all the fluids you need for your machinery at room temperature to avoid freezing. If possible, store your machinery under shelter so it doesn’t get left outside in the cold. This is important for preserving the operational life of the machinery, avoiding potential problems from cold startups, and preventing fluids in the machine from freezing.
