Excavator Winterization Tips

Winter is coming and that means it’s time to get your construction equipment, including your excavator, ready for winter work or long-term storage. Whichever it is, you need to winterize the machine so that it can handle cold temperatures and/or months left in a storage facility. When you perform this task properly, it can help prevent damage to your equipment done by extreme weather and below-freezing temperatures, so that your excavator doesn’t need heavy maintenance or repairs performed in the spring.

These winterization tips come to you courtesy of Upstate Equipment, your New York excavator dealer.

Change Oil

First, you’ll want to change the oil in your excavator’s engine. Old oil has a lot of particulates and acids in it that can cause corrosion if left unattended. Synthetic oils are a good option because they are less vulnerable to really cold temperatures. Make sure that you change out the oil filter at the same time. 

Stabilize Fuel

The water in your fuel tank can separate out and freeze in winter, so you may want to change out the fuel for a winter diesel and/or add a stabilizer to prevent water separation. Make sure the fuel tank is at least 70% full so that there isn’t room for any condensation to form.

Refill Coolant

Another important engine component to check on is your radiator’s coolant. You may need to increase the amount of coolant you use or invest in some with antifreeze to prevent ice from forming.

Inspect Hydraulics

The cylinder rods on your excavator can be damaged by snow, ice and salt that’s used to clean up snow. Hydraulic hoses are also very sensitive to the cold and the rubber can become brittle and start cracking, so regular inspections are necessary.

Prevent Snow Build-Up

If you use your excavator during the winter, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re cleaning off ice and snow on the machine frequently. Also, try to store the excavator indoors so that it doesn’t become covered in snow and ice that can cause rust and make the parts more stiff.

Allow Engine to Warm Up

Trying to start up and immediately use an excavator in cold temperatures probably won’t work well. The hydraulics might be stiff and the engine needs time to allow the coolant and oil to move through it and help warm it up and stabilize it. Give your machine at least two minutes to warm up and allow it a few minutes to idle at the end of the day before shutting it down.

Come see us at our location in Lockport, NY, today to check out our wide stock of new and used excavators for sale. We can also offer you financing options to help you fund your purchase. Upstate Equipment serves our New York customers in Buffalo and Amherst.