Maintaining Your Excavator
Construction is the first step in many business plans, making it one of the most important jobs around. Modern heavy equipment, like excavators, makes that job infinitely easier, but only if the equipment is working properly. We here at Bobcat of York/Frederick/Hagerstown/Adams County want to help you keep your tools in good condition so you can keep your deadlines, so we’ve put together some tips for excavator maintenance below. To learn more, or to see the excavators we have for sale, contact our stores across Pennsylvania and Maryland, today!
Owner’s Manual
Your first step is always to check your owner’s manual. While we have some solid general advice, your owner’s manual was written for your specific excavator’s unique needs. It will include recommended schedules for various maintenance tasks, recommended products, and more. If you can’t find your manual, check out the manufacturer website for a version you can download or print yourself!
Visual Inspection
Another important step for any maintenance process, a thorough visual inspection will let you find the most major and obvious issues with your excavator. Check for loose bolts, undercarriage damage, debris stuck underneath, rust spots, fluid leaks, etc. Make sure tracks have proper tension, or that tires have enough air pressure.
You should also check the gearbox and its oil, which should be changed at approximate 1,000-hour intervals, unless your owner’s manual says otherwise.
Swing Gear
The swing gear and bearing both need correct amounts of lubrication for smooth function. Inspect it to ensure there’s enough grease present and that there isn’t any water leaking into the compartment.
Clean-Up
Like you, your excavator is liable to get pretty dirty on the average worksite, and that’s fine—but like you, it needs to be cleaned every so often so it can remain functional. Mud, dirt, debris, sand, and more can get caught in the undercarriage and on the surface, building up and interfering with normal operations. Use a shovel to get rid of large clumps, then use a pressure washer for more precise work to clean the undercarriage, chassis, and tracks. Check it out again after every major use.
Fluids And Filters
This is going to be an area where your manual should take precedence, but if it’s got loose suggestions or you think your excavator needs work before the scheduled times, fluids and filters will need special attention. Try to replace fluids every 250 operating hours, especially oil. Hydraulic fluid filters will need replacing after about 500 operating hours.
Radiator fluid will need more frequent maintenance and should be topped off as often as necessary. Gradual loss is fine, but any significant drainage should warrant a visit to the service department.
We hope this helps you keep your excavator in working order! For more information, or to see the excavators we have for sale, contact us at Bobcat of York/Frederick/Hagerstown/Adams County. We proudly serve the people of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Baltimore, Maryland—let us serve you today!