Mini excavators, also known as compact excavators, perform a variety of jobs on a job site. Contractors use mini excavators to dig, drill, and move materials in a variety of applications. The compact size and flexibility of these excavators make them ideal for a variety of industries, including construction, demolition, and agriculture.
You need your construction equipment to work at its best. Although mini excavators are known for their ruggedness, these machines still require daily attention to operate as required. Regular maintenance helps keep your mini excavator in top shape so you can focus on getting the job done. This mini excavator maintenance guide offers some helpful tips to keep your fleet working properly.
Although mini excavators come in different sizes and styles, following some common maintenance steps can ensure your machine is operating at its highest level. Consider these 14 mini excavator maintenance tips to help keep every component of your equipment in good working order:
1. Train Your Operators Effectively
Implementing an effective preventive maintenance program starts with effectively training your machine operators. Only if they are trained under normal operating conditions can your mini excavator operators spot potential problems with the machine.
Training heavy equipment operators on maintenance procedures is essential. Operators should be able to identify engine and exhaust problems, loose bolts, worn belts, missing parts, and filters that need to be replaced. Taking the time to train workers and ensure they can identify the thousands of parts in a mini excavator can save expensive repairs in the future.
2. Follow a Routine Maintenance Schedule
After a compact excavator, a maintenance schedule simplifies the maintenance process and ensures workers understand the condition of their machine. To create a maintenance schedule, check your mini excavator maintenance manual. The maintenance manual includes service recommendations on how often to check everything from fluid levels to track tension.
Regular maintenance should include frequent inspections and longer intervals of maintenance:
Daily: Operators should check fluid levels, check connections, and ensure attachments are well lubricated every day.
Weekly: Operators should lubricate the mini excavator's slewing bearing and check track tension and drive belts every week.
Every Six Months: At six months old, it's a good idea to have a professional come take a look at your mini excavator. Have a certified technician perform preventive maintenance regularly to ensure that no problems go unnoticed.
Every two years: More time-consuming maintenance should be performed at longer intervals. For example, you should clean your fuel injectors every two years.
3. Inspect the hydraulic cylinders
A daily walk-through before operation is one of the most effective ways to maintain your mini excavator and prevent accidents on the jobsite. Taking the time to walk through your equipment and inspect it before each use reduces the chances that you will miss a loose bolt or worn connection.
The first step in your walk-through should be to inspect the hydraulic cylinders. The hydraulic system is essential to the use of your mini excavator's attachments, so the system should always be working properly. Walk the hydraulic cylinders and inspect the piston rods and seals. Inspect the connecting rods to ensure there are no signs of damage or excessive wear.
4. Check the attachments
The next step in your excavator tour is to inspect the attachments themselves. Checking the attachments and couplers for signs of disrepair can help prevent accidents and ultimately reduce your mini excavator's maintenance costs. If there is any rust or other damage to the attachment or arm, replace the parts to relieve any stress on the mini excavator's arm.
5. Open the side covers
Walk up to the side covers and open it to inspect what's inside. Check the hydraulic tank, tubes, hoses, and plugs. Look for leaks and breakages. Then check the hydraulic fittings and connection fittings. If there are signs of leaks, correct the problem.
6. Check the oil-water separator
Check the oil-water separator to see if there is any water in your mini excavator's fuel. Depending on your mini excavator model, your machine may have an oil-water separator that features a clear bowl with a red ring. If the ring floats, there is water in the fuel. Completing this maintenance step can uncover potentially damaging leaks in the fuel filter.
7. Check the cooling system
While you're inspecting the inside of the side covers, check the cooling system. Look for leaks in the system, faulty hoses, and any accumulated trash and debris. If debris is present, clear it and repair the leak. Then check the coolant level. Always make sure the coolant is at the manufacturer's recommended level.
8. Grease Pivot Points
Lubricating the pivot points of your mini excavator is one of the most cost-effective maintenance tips you can implement. Daily lubrication of the arm, bucket, and other pivot points ensures that your mini excavator operates properly. Daily lubrication also prevents premature wear of the pins.
9. Check the Engine Compartment
After checking everything in the side hood and lubricating the pivot points, move to the engine compartment and lift the hood. First, inspect and clear any debris inside. Then check the oil cap and tighten it if needed. Check all belts for engine accessories. Replace any belts that are worn, frayed, or broken.
10. Check the Fuel Level
The next step in the maintenance checklist is to check the fuel level. The engine and hydraulic oil should always be at the recommended level. Operating a mini excavator with insufficient fuel can result in costly losses, so this stage is crucial. Check the maintenance manual for the manufacturer's recommended fuel level. Then check the oil level and change the oil if needed.
11. Check the Air Filter
Changing the air filter should be on a regular maintenance schedule, but operators may only need to check it once a week. If you work on a dusty job site, you should check the air filter more often. If the air filter is clogged with dust, you can remove it and gently tap it off to remove excess debris.
12. Check the Tracks
Walk around the mini excavator and inspect the tracks for rocks and damage. Clear away debris and replace tracks that are excessively worn. It is also important to look for adequate track tension and adjust it if necessary. If the mini excavator is frequently used on rough terrain, the operator may need to check the track tension daily. This step ensures that the tracks are neither too loose nor too tight, which can cause excessive wear and downtime.
13. Inspect the Cabin
After completing the walk-around, inspect the mini excavator cab. This phase of maintenance helps ensure the safety of the operator as well as the safety of others on the job site. Perform all of these steps while inspecting the excavator cab:
Inspect the falling object protection structure and tighten any loose bolts.
Remove any accumulated debris from under the floor and inside the cabin.
Inspect switches or controls for damage and replace if necessary.
Make sure the mirrors are clean and free of cracks.
If your mini excavator has an enclosed cab, inspect and clean the windows.
14. Use Telematics
One of the best ways to maintain your mini excavator is to use telematics. This technology monitors machine activity and performance to alert the operator when repairs or replacements are needed. Telematics systems also record maintenance history so the operator can see which components were last inspected.
Mini excavators that use telematics systems typically have a screen in the cabin that alerts the operator when a problem occurs. The system also provides service alerts to help plan maintenance schedules. This approach allows operators to track maintenance and avoid overlooking problems, potentially saving hours of downtime.
NMC CAT FOR MINI EXCAVATORS AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES
PROPERLY MAINTAINING YOUR MINI EXCAVATOR IS ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING JOB SITE SAFETY AND REDUCING DOWNTIME. FROM TRAINING OPERATORS TO IMPLEMENTING DAILY WALK-THROUGHS AND USING TELEMATICS TO OPTIMIZE PERFORMANCE, REGULAR MAINTENANCE CAN SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE EFFICIENCY.
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