Two Locations

Knoxville

865-982-6452

Tri-Cities

423-975-9111

Operating Hours

Parts & Service

M-F 7am - 5pm

Sales & Rentals

M-F 8am - 5pm

Contact Us

865-982-6452

Sales: Blake Wilson

Parts/Service: Terry Nichols

Keep heavy equipment operating efficiently in winter months

Keeping Heavy Machinery Operating Efficiently in Winter Months

Emily Bieger

As temperatures drop and winter weather approaches, heavy construction equipment works harder. Cold weather can affect machinery performance, reduce efficiency, and increase the risk of breakdowns. At CMI Case, we understand the importance of keeping equipment in top working condition year-round. With that in mind, here are some essential tips to keep your heavy construction equipment operating optimally to keep your projects on track during the colder months.

Inspect and Maintain Your Equipment

Regular equipment inspections are key to preventing costly repairs and untimely breakdowns. Check for leaks, wear and damage, especially in hydraulic systems, electrical components, engines and cooling systems. Maintain proper tire pressures and look for cracks or excessive wear on tracks and tires, particularly for excavators and skid steers. These simple steps can save you time and suffering out in the cold of winter.

Switch to Winter Grade Fluids

Cold temperatures cause fluids to thicken and flow more slowly, reducing machinery efficiency and performance. To combat this, it’s essential to switch to winter-grade engine oil, hydraulic fluids and fuel additives, which help prevent diesel fuel from gelling. Diesel engines are particularly vulnerable to cold weather, as water in the fuel system can freeze and cause clogs or damage. To avoid these issues, regularly drain water separators, use anti-gel additives or winter diesel, and keep fuel tanks full to minimize condensation buildup. By taking these steps, you can ensure your equipment operates smoothly and reliably throughout the winter months.

Battery Care

Batteries often lose efficiency in cold temperatures, making it harder to start your equipment and increasing the risk of other electrical related issues. There’s an old saying that batteries get killed in the summer (due to heat) and die in the winter (due to increased load demands they can no longer maintain). To keep your batteries in peak condition during winter, start by cleaning and tightening connections to ensure proper voltage flow. Regularly test the battery charge and replace any weak or failing batteries before they become a problem and leave you stranded. For equipment stored outdoors, consider using battery heaters or maintainers to keep them warm and ready to perform, even in freezing conditions. Proper battery care can make all the difference in keeping your machines running smoothly throughout the winter. 

Store Your Equipment Properly

Making sure your equipment is stored properly will shelter it from the harsh elements of winter. If possible, use covered areas or even indoor storage facilities to protect your machinery from the winter snow, ice, wind and rain. If you are not able to find cover for your equipment it is always smart to use waterproof covers to protect external components. Also, park machinery on solid ground after use to avoid important undercarriage components from freezing.

Preparing Your Crew for the Cold

Along with preparing your heavy machinery for the winter, it’s important to make sure that your most important pieces of equipment are ready for the cold too, and that is your crew! Teaching your crew to quickly recognize and respond to things like weather related equipment stress, emergency breakdowns, and other proper machinery upkeep can ensure that your projects won’t skip a beat despite the challenges cold weather might bring. Most importantly, keep safety in mind, as cold weather and ice can make operating heavy machinery dangerous. Keeping your crew up to date on the newest safety procedures and precautions that need to take should always be the utmost priority!

Always keep the tips and tricks above in mind for cold winter days. It’s also smart to reference machinery manuals for proper manufacturer recommendations and also seek out the wisdom of sales and service professionals on techniques that can be used to best protect your machinery from winter weather. CMI Case has service and sales professionals available Monday through Friday from 8-5pm to answer all your questions about your equipment and how to properly take care of it to avoid costly breakdowns.

Technology advances in the construction industry are on the rise.

Technology Advances in the Construction Industry

Contractors Machinery

Whether or not one contracted the Coronavirus in 2020, virtually everyone has been impacted in one or way or a thousand. The construction industry is no exception. With complaints of increased costs of materials and lack of workers, the business had to get creative to cut costs in the future. Technology has entered into the field at a faster rate than ever before, and here are a few of the changes that will aid in a healthy rebound for the industry:

Virtual everything. The creation of mobile construction apps allows contractors to collaborate “on-site” virtually, accomplishing real-time inspections, accurate measurements from phone cameras, and public meetings without having to leave their own offices. Over 81% of construction companies are now using mobile devices to increase efficiency.

Smart advanced wearables. From safety helmets all the way down to steel-toed boots, smart technology is being implemented into safety-required wearables. This technology does everything from monitor fatigue and collision to contact tracing. Smart technology is now available in helmets, headsets, glasses, vests, watches, gloves boots…83% of contractors believe this new technology will drastically improve site safety.

Drone use. Not only used for aerial photography anymore, drones aid in mapping large areas and providing real-time data that accelerates construction decisions and helps streamline the entire process. Use of drone technology in the industry continues to increase over 200% yearly.

Construction Management Software Solutions.  Construction goods rose five percent over three years (ending in 2020) and interest rates are now rising. Excellent Construction Management Software Solutions are essential to manage inventory, budgets, documents…virtually every aspect of the construction business. Each software package differs slightly, so prospective owners are encouraged to explore carefully in order to best meet their business needs.

Contractor’s Machinery offers ProCare, the most comprehensive planned maintenance and heavy machine support in the industry. Click here to learn more about ProCare, which comes standard on all new heavy equipment orders.

A year of “shut-down” did anything but shut down the progress in the construction business. Now is the time to consider the technological advances in this cutting-edge industry!

Equipment maintenance tips to ensure you get the longest life out of your equipment during the hot summer months.

Summer Maintenance Tips for Your Equipment

Contractors Machinery

The Heat is On!

In order to get the longest life out of ALL  of your heavy duty CASE and Toro equipment, be sure to practice the following tips in the steamy months ahead:

  • Be kind to your equipment. Try to plan your workday around the coolest hours of the day and give machines an extra couple of minutes to cool down at the end of the workday.
  • Keep it clean! Dirt and mud build-up mean your equipment will run too hot and this means decreased efficiency. Clean it off. Every time. Train your crew on the importance of this so they will do the same.
  • Baby your off-season equipment. Drain fuel tanks or shut off fuel lines of your machines heading to seasonal storage.
  • Check and adjust fluid levels more frequently in the summer months and keep radiators free of dirt and debris. The best way to clean your radiator is with an air compressor, not a water hose.
  • Carry a Planned Maintenance Agreement with Contractor’s Machinery. Construction machinery is increasingly high-tech, so it’s more important than ever to consider an agreement that is tailored to your specific needs. A Planned Maintenance Agreement takes the headache out of budgeting and tracking maintenance and assures future work at a fixed price.

CASE ProCare comes standard on new heavy equipment orders, providing:

Planned maintenance and special seasonal attention are essential. CMI is here to help take care of your investment, your business and your fleet! Do you have questions about service or parts? Call CMI parts and service at 865-982-6452.