Maintaining Your Machinery in the Summer Heat

Summer heat can harm your expensive machinery just like it can harm you!

August 1, 2024

Maintaining Your Machinery in the Summer Heat

Contractors Machinery

Schedule machine use outside of peak sunlight hours

When possible, try to avoid using heavy machinery during peak heat hours. In most places, the summer heat typically peaks between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Operating equipment during these hours significantly increases the chances of your radiator or engine overheating. Instead, schedule heavy machinery use for early morning or later in the day. This tactic also helps protect your machine operators from the extreme heat.

Store your equipment in a shaded area

Try not to leave your equipment in the sun. This simple and logical trick will protect your machine from direct sunlight when it’s not in use. Find shade under trees, a tent, a tarp, or any other cool, dry place. Additionally, consider parking your equipment in the shade, even during short breaks. Any time you can keep your heavy equipment out of the sun it will help reduce heat-related issues.

Inspect your heavy equipment regularly

Daily inspection is important for the life of the equipment. Hot temperatures can cause overheating issues, so it is crucial to check things like coolant and antifreeze levels. These fluids are essential for keeping your machinery cool. It is also wise to regularly check your radiator, hoses, and fans for any leaks or cracks. A small problem with a key component left unfixed can lead to larger issues, so inspect often and don’t skip scheduled maintenance.

Properly clean your equipment

Keeping your equipment clean is not only an important part of general maintenance but is also crucial for maintaining performance during the summer heat. Mud and other debris can accumulate on key components of machinery throughout the day. Ensure that all cooling components are clear of dust and debris daily to prevent overheating and allow for proper airflow.

Prepare your heavy machinery in advance

Don’t wait for the heat to come, prepare ahead! Creating a list of general maintenance that needs to be completed is a great way to get ahead of the heat. Check fluids, grease your machines, and check key components such as the radiator. All of the steps go a long way in keeping your fleet and your business running at full capacity.

Monitor and maintain your equipment's undercarriage

Equipment Maintenance

October 1, 2023

State-of-the-Art Undercarriage Care

CASE Construction Equipment, construction equipment, equipment maintenance, Planned Maintenance

Contractors Machinery

The careful monitoring and maintenance of the undercarriage of a large machine can easily make up 60% of the long-term cost of that machine. CASE takes those numbers very seriously, investing extensively in the undercarriage of its machines through its new undercarriage wear measuring program, All Makes Undercarriage Program.

Using TrackCare technology, the All Makes Undercarriage Program is the collaborative effort of CASE and CNH Industrial brands. This new program allows CASE customers to partner with dealers on a whole new level, working with each other to bring unparalleled undercarriage care to their equipment, offering literally every replacement part an owner may need.

There are several factors that contribute to the wear and tear of your machine’s undercarriage:

Application – The type of job you are doing with your equipment has tremendous impact on the stress and strain on your machine’s parts. Considering the tasks of carrying and grading, trenching, dozing, pushing, ripping, loading…the more torque the job requires, the more stress it puts on the undercarriage.

Terrain – Your equipment is typically being used to change the terrain. Hills, slopes, crowns, depressions…all put resistance force on the undercarriage and put exceptional strain on the undercarriage components.

Underfoot – Abrasive rocks, sand, and harsh debris all deteriorate the parts of the undercarriage.

Operation – If all the above factors were not considered, the simple operation of large equipment means the undercarriage and all other parts of that machine experience daily wear and tear. We’re asking these machines to do a lot, and they work hard to do it.

With the TrackCare system, the large equipment owner can combat each of these factors and get longer life from his equipment. He can customize track groups and chains, then order as many as are needed in specific sizes. All Makes Undercarriage Program owners can get replacement part options for non-CASE machines as well.

When owning CASE equipment there are no surprises in terms of cost. Use the Total Cost Ownership calculator to strategize just what CASE can do to improve your business today!

Planned maintenance extends the life of your equipment

Equipment Maintenance

June 23, 2022

Planned Maintenance Extends the Life of Your Equipment

CASE Construction Equipment, construction equipment, equipment maintenance, heavy duty equipment, Planned Maintenance, planned maintenance agreement

Contractors Machinery

“Time simply seems to go faster as I get older!” You’ve said it a million times! We notice it when our kids are growing up, when it’s time for our yearly physical….and when it’s time to maintain our heavy equipment! It’s essential to have a Planned Maintenance Agreement (PMA) if you don’t want your equipment to fail you when you need it most.

Investing in a PMA is more important today than ever before:

SAFETY

Your equipment is increasingly high-tech. Truthfully, even you may not understand all the essential components to keeping it healthy. Despite OSHA regulations, it is common for operators to overlook the little things Regular routine maintenance prevents any number of problems, as these “little things” are key items on the checklist:

Accuracy of gauges
Battery
Tires or tracks
Levels of all fluids

PREVENTION OF BREAKDOWNS

Breakdowns mean downtime. And nothing affects the bottom line like downtime. If you take excellent care of your heavy equipment, it will live past the hours logged and the miles on the odometer. Regular planned maintenance is the key to understanding the proper age of your equipment and keeping it running strong to the end.

OVERALL COST IS REDUCED

As you know, with any vehicle, your equipment loses value the minute you start it up for the very first run. The way you make a good return on that investment is by getting as many years out of it as possible. With routine maintenance, fuel economy improves, keeping your equipment running longer and more efficiently.

RESALE VALUE INCREASES

When it is time to flip that equipment or simply retire the work for good, a PMA is a proven way to get more money for your vehicle. Having documentation that you have taken impeccable care of its maintenance will prove to the next buyer that he will have fewer safety, breakdown, and cost headaches as well.

CASE offers an outstanding Planned Maintenance Agreement to keep your equipment running as vigorously as it needs for you to get the job done! Click here to learn more.

Heavy Equipment

March 7, 2022

How to Care for and Extend the Life of Your Heavy Equipment

CASE Construction Equipment, construction equipment, construction industry, Contractor's Machinery, equipment maintenance, heavy duty equipment, Heavy Equipment, Planned Maintenance

Contractors Machinery

A tentative economy and a season of uniquely challenging weather nationwide has heavy equipment owners exceptionally concerned about protecting their biggest investments. Here are four considerations as you determine how to get a full lifetime out of your machines:

Review your training protocol: It is essential that every employee who is operating your equipment knows how to care for it properly. At the end of an exceptionally long workday, cleaning a rig is the last thing anyone wants to do, but it’s critical to the life of your machines. Excessive rain and mud buildup is cruel. Is your crew thoroughly trained in how to best run and clean your equipment in extreme weather? That additional training time may very well save you in the long run.

Enforce preventive maintenance: In addition to routine cleaning and care, develop and enforce the implementation of a preventive maintenance program. It should be a point-to-point inspection of every aspect of your machines, paying special attention to any rebuilt components. Finally, make sure electronic data is collected and safely recorded so routine maintenance is never ignored.

Go digital: If you have a growing business and are concerned that employees are not conducting every detail of cleaning and maintenance, invest in a CCMS (computerized maintenance management system.) This computer software will record any work done and notify you automatically when it’s time to check and care for your machinery. There are some critical questions to ask when investing in a CCMS, such as the size of your business and your budget. Sites like https://www.fiixsoftware.com and https://www.softwareadvice.com offer some free tools to help in making this decision.

“Follow the instructions” sounds a little basic when it comes to these massive machines, but manufacturers’ recommendations are essential to getting the full lifetime out of your heavy equipment. Adhere religiously to care suggested in the owner’s manual supplied with your machines. Never skimp on routinely replacing fluids and parts and remember that the proper storage of your off-season machines is critical. Following these guidelines will help to ensure the longevity of your equipment and ultimately your business.

Winter maintenance and storage list for your heavy duty equipment

Heavy Equipment Uncategorized

November 10, 2021

Ready for Winter? Check the List!

CASE Construction Equipment, construction equipment, equipment maintenance, Heavy Equipment, large equipment, Planned Maintenance

Emily Bieger

Whether you’re working or storing your heavy duty construction and landscape equipment, it’s time to prepare for the cold months and prevent some major expenses. Start working now through the winter maintenance list to get the best out of your machines this season and next:

Look Over Your Equipment

A careful visual check of your machinery will protect you from endless regrets when revving up for the spring season.

Fluid levels – Look carefully at fluid levels and adjust accordingly, either for winter work or storage.
Hoses and belts – Hydraulic hoses often crack in colder temperatures, so use arctic hydraulic oil in order to prevent this. Address any cracks or worn parts you see and replace as necessary.
Tires – We all know they will lose pressure more quickly in the winter months, so check that pressure before every use and fill with air in a heated area for better and longer-lasting results. Filling with dry nitrogen gas is a viable alternative that helps prevent ice crystals from forming in the valve stems.

Install

Proper lubricants – When checking levels of each lubricant, make sure it properly flows off the dipstick. If it doesn’t, you may be using the wrong product for your machine. Always follow manufacturer’s suggestions.
Add starting fluid only while the engine is cranking and always at room temperature.
Use and store Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) wisely. In excessively cold temps, DEF will freeze (12 degrees or lower), and it thaws as well. Store appropriately so that it does not burst during expansion.

System Inspection

Ensure that radiator coolant is filled to the cap and secured for proper pressure relief.
Starters and batteries will be cranked nearly twice as much in colder months in order to turn over. Storing the battery indoors and fully charged when the machinery is not being used will extend the life of both.
Undercarriage – Excessive snow, ice, and salt residue will quickly erode the undercarriage of your vehicle. Make sure it is rinsed and stored properly after each winter use or before cold weather storage.

Temperature Safe Storage

If you are completing your list in order to store your fleet for the winter, wise storage is the key to a quick and uneventful upstart in the spring. Detach attachments and store away both machines and attachments, fluids and oils, in room temperature to avoid winter damage and freezing.

Careful care of your heavy duty equipment now will afford a quicker start to your success in the spring! We at CMI want the very best for you and your business each and every season!

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

Heavy Equipment Landscaping Equipment

July 1, 2021

Summer Maintenance Tips for Your Equipment

CASE construction, CASE ProCare, construction equipment, Contractor's Machinery, heavy duty construction, heavy duty equipment, Planned Maintenance, Toro Dingo 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:

3-year/3000-hr full machine factory warranty
3-year/3000-hr planned maintenance
3-year Advanced SiteWatch subscription

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.

	Knoxville 865-982-6452	Tri-Cities 423-975-9111

	Parts & Service M-F 7am-5pm	M-F 8am-5pm

	Sales blake@cmicase.com Service eric@cmicase.com