How to Prevent Damage to Your Excavator
Excavator damage prevention will help you extend the life of your equipment, save money on repairs, and reduce lost productivity due to the excavator sitting in a repair shop. Some wear and tear is inevitable, but many things can cause an increase in damage (such as a lack of maintenance or poor work site practices). We’ve gathered up our favorite tips for excavator damage prevention below. If you have any questions or need a service appointment for your excavator, visit Synergy Equipment. We have dealerships throughout Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
1. Clean Your Excavator Regularly
A dirty excavator may sound like simply an aesthetic issue. But the accumulation of dirt and debris can cause problems over time. These include:
- Damage to the exterior and speeding up of damaging processes, such as rust
- Buildup of dirt and debris around moving parts, which restrict their movement
- Buildup of dirt and debris trapping heat inside the excavator, increasing the chance of overheating
- Clogging of filters and vents
- Buildup of dirt and debris damaging electrical components
These are just a few of the ways that a lack of cleaning can result in damage to your excavator. But thankfully, prevention is simple. Just wash your excavator on a regular basis!
2. Keep Up with Maintenance
Another common cause of excavator damage is a lack of maintenance. The longer you let preventative maintenance tasks slide, the greater chance you have of facing equipment damage. Consult the excavator’s owner’s manual to see the relevant tasks, the frequency of tasks, and any products you should or should not use.
3. Be Proactive About Lubrication
Lubrication is a great resource in preventing excavator damage. It can help reduce wear and tear, which helps extend the lifespan of your excavator and keep it running smoothly. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s recommendations on which lubricant to use since picking the wrong one can actually cause damage.
4. Understand the Excavator’s Limits
Different excavator models have different capabilities and limits. Be sure you know the specifics for the one you are operating. For example, check the owner’s manual to see the weight load limits.
5. Ensure All Operators are Properly Trained
Operator error is a common cause of excavator damage. Make sure anyone who will be using the excavator has already undergone the required training and is confident about safely operating the equipment. If the individual has had training, but it was a long time ago, make sure they have a refresher.
6. Check Any Attachments
One perk of excavators is that they can be used with attachments. But it’s important to check that any attachments used are compatible with your model and are in good condition. Otherwise, they can cause damage to your excavator.
7. Address Issues as Soon as Possible
Even the highest quality excavators will suffer some natural wear and tear. Once you start noticing an issue, get it repaired or schedule a service appointment as soon as possible. Minor damage can quickly snowball into larger damage, which will also cost you more to fix.
8. Store Your Excavator Well
Improper storage techniques can also result in excavator damage. Try to store your excavator somewhere where it can be protected from extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, corrosion, and so on.
We hope you found this excavator damage prevention guide useful! If you want more advice or need to get your excavator serviced, visit the experts at Synergy Equipment. We can answer questions, repair your excavator, and help you with whatever you need. We run multiple dealerships throughout Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Stop by your nearest location today!