As the seasons change, so do the demands on your plant machinery. The transition from summer to winter projects can significantly impact the performance and safety of your equipment. While summer conditions allow for smoother operation, winter introduces challenges such as colder temperatures, harsher terrains, and shorter daylight hours. For plant hire companies and businesses using hired equipment, preparing machinery for these shifts is essential to maintaining productivity and avoiding those costly breakdowns.
Here’s a guide on how to adjust your plant machinery equipment from summer to winter projects to ensure safety, efficiency, and longevity.
One of the biggest challenges of winter is the impact of cold temperatures on plant machinery. Engines, hydraulic systems, and batteries all react differently to freezing weather, often leading to issues like slow startups, increased wear, or malfunctioning components.
Battery care: Cold temperatures can cause batteries to lose power more quickly. Before winter hits, check the battery’s charge levels and ensure it is fully charged. Consider switching to a winter-grade battery with a higher cold-cranking amps (CCA) rating.
Engine oils and fluids: In freezing conditions, engine oil and hydraulic fluids can thicken, leading to poor lubrication and higher strain on the machinery. Switch to winter-grade oils and antifreeze fluids, which are formulated to perform better in low temperatures.
Fuel systems: Condensation in fuel tanks can freeze in winter, causing blockages. Keep tanks full to reduce moisture buildup, and use fuel additives to prevent freezing.
The type of terrain your machinery operates on in winter will likely differ from that in summer. Snow, ice, and muddy conditions can make surfaces treacherous, reducing traction and increasing the risk of accidents. Machinery operating in these conditions needs to be properly equipped with the right tyres or tracks.
Winter tyres: Consider replacing summer or all-season tyres with winter tyres on your trucks, that provide a better grip on icy or wet surfaces. Winter tyres have deeper treads and are made of rubber compounds designed for cold weather performance.
Tracks: For machinery like excavators or dumpers, switching to steel or rubber tracks may be necessary for additional traction on uneven or slippery surfaces. Rubber tracks, in particular, offer more flexibility and less damage to surfaces in wet conditions.
Winter means shorter daylight hours, which often means working in dim or dark conditions. Visibility is crucial to maintaining a safe working environment, especially when operating heavy machinery.
Upgrade to LED lights: LED lighting offers better illumination compared to halogen or incandescent bulbs, particularly in foggy, snowy, or low-light conditions. They are also more energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan.
Install additional lighting: If your machinery isn’t equipped with enough lighting, consider adding auxiliary lights. Spotlights or floodlights can greatly enhance visibility for both the operator and others on-site. It can also lengthen the working day!
Clean lenses: Dirty or fogged-up lenses can reduce the effectiveness of lighting systems. Regularly clean all lights, especially after operating in wet, muddy, or snowy conditions.
While overheating is a common issue during the summer months, winter conditions demand a different approach to cooling systems. Keeping machinery engines warm enough to operate efficiently is key to preventing freezing and mechanical issues.
Use antifreeze: Ensure that your cooling system is topped up with the right concentration of antifreeze to prevent the engine and other components from freezing. The mixture of water and coolant should be adjusted to handle sub-zero temperatures.
Block heaters: Installing a block heater can help keep the engine warm when the machinery isn’t in use. This makes starting up in freezing conditions easier and reduces the risk of cold-related engine damage.
Hydraulic systems are particularly vulnerable to temperature changes. In cold conditions, the viscosity of hydraulic fluid increases, which can cause slow operation, reduced power, and damage to seals and hoses.
Use winter-grade hydraulic fluids: Winter-specific hydraulic fluids are formulated to remain more fluid in colder temperatures, allowing your equipment to operate smoothly without straining the system.
Check seals and hoses: Cold weather can cause rubber seals and hoses to become brittle and crack. Inspect them before winter projects begin and replace any that show signs of wear.
Winter conditions create additional challenges for machinery operators. It’s essential that your team is well-versed in handling the equipment under cold weather conditions.
Winter driving training: If your team will be operating machinery on icy or snow-covered roads, ensure they receive training in safe driving practices for these conditions.
Emergency protocols: Make sure your operators know how to handle potential winter-specific emergencies, such as machinery breakdowns in the cold or accidents due to poor visibility or terrain.
Winter is tough on machinery, so frequent inspections are more important than ever. Regular checks can prevent minor issues from becoming costly repairs.
Pre-use inspections: In addition to your usual pre-use checks, ensure all winter-specific adjustments like tyre pressure, fluid levels, and battery charge are in optimal condition before each shift.
Scheduled maintenance: Work with your plant hire company to arrange scheduled maintenance for the winter months. This proactive approach will help you avoid downtime due to unexpected equipment failure.
Adjusting your plant machinery for winter projects requires thoughtful preparation and attention to detail. By implementing winter-specific maintenance practices, upgrading tyres and lighting, and ensuring your equipment is ready for the cold, you can keep your projects running smoothly and safely through the harshest conditions. If you are considering hiring construction equipment hire for your next project in the Sussex and Surrey area, get in touch with Central Plant Hire today.
With over 33 years of experience providing construction equipment hire, Central Plant Hire specialise in the hire of mini diggers, dumpers and plant equipment. If you’d like us to help you find a construction equipment solution for your next project, speak to Central Plant Hire on 01293 851320 or email us here: hire@centralplanthire.co.uk.
Central Plant Hire can offer expert advice and the best machines for each job, so get in touch today!
