Prepare your construction equipment for winter: Essential maintenance tips for antifreeze, batteries, and more
While enjoying late summer/early fall, it’s easy to lose sight of just how important winter machine care is—but preventative maintenance is imperative to how your equipment will handle harsh winter weather conditions.
The best time to start your winter preventative maintenance is in early fall. But what do you need to do to ensure that you have reliable machines throughout the cold months? Follow along with industry tips from Jay Marshall, Used Equipment Inspector at Finning.
Antifreeze
The first step is to check your antifreeze strength and ensure it is up to par for the weather you will experience, with most brands having a rating around -35°C. Improper antifreeze may lead to frozen pipes and damage to your hoses and water pump—or even cracks in the engine block. Make sure your antifreeze will protect your machines in the harshest conditions expected.
Batteries
Battery care is more important than ever in the wintertime. The colder it is, the less power the battery has to crank the engine. Storing batteries in a warm, dry environment or heating the compartment itself will assist in maintaining proper temperature and normal operation for your machine. Check out this table to better understand the correlation between battery strength and temperature.
| Power Supplied from Battery | Temperature | Power Required from Engine |
| 100% (0% Drop) | 27°C | Normal Power |
| 65% (35% Drop) | 0°C | 150% More Power |
| 40% (60% Drop) | -18°C | 210% More Power |
| 25% (75% Drop) | -29°C | 350% More Power |
For less utilized machines, it is a good idea to invest in a battery charger. A charged battery will prevent freezing and thus maintain your equipment.
Fuel
As you may know, winter-grade fuel is commonly used to assist your machine and its engine in the cold months. Depending on the severity of your winter weather, it is likely that your fuel supplier will switch from summer to winter diesel sometime in the fall. Timing this transition correctly so that your machines receive their last bout of summer fuel and their first bout of winter fuel at appropriate times will ensure your engine stays in ideal shape. Fuel conditioner, or even kerosene in a pinch, can supplement winter diesel when necessary, however, it is still imperative to reach out to your fuel supplier and time your winter fuel delivery appropriately.
Ensuring fuel tanks are topped up after each use in the wintertime is also important to prevent condensation and water incursion. This, along with regularly draining your water separator filter, will contribute to a well-maintained, reliable machine.
Fluids
Another essential part of winter preventative maintenance is switching to winter-weight fluids. We suggest timing this switch around the rest of your winter preventative maintenance to avoid under or over-servicing—just make sure it’s done before the cold comes. Check your original owner’s manual or a Fluid Recommendation Guide for specific instructions.
Inspection
Inspecting your machine during the wintertime is crucial to ensure its optimal performance and longevity. However, maintenance issues are easier to fix in the warmer weather—so don’t wait until it’s freezing to start your inspections.
Start by checking all rubber parts weekly, including hoses, tires, and fan drive belts. Inspect electrical wiring and connections for any signs of fraying or damaged insulation. Install a fresh ether bottle if necessary and drain any water from the compressor tanks and airbrake system. Ensure track tension is correct, which is especially important on tough winter terrain. Daily, check the air cleaners and air intake, especially if snow is present.
The hydraulic system should also be monitored closely: hydraulic hoses can crack in cold weather. Usually, this will not affect the movement of oil within the hoses, however, it is still something to check during your inspection. Furthermore, while the engine retains heat after use in the wintertime, systems like the transmission and hydraulics do not, slowing down their response time. Depending on the machine, oil may need to be switched out.
So what?
A machine’s ability to perform in cold weather is a direct testament to its maintenance. By choosing the right fluids, applying proper battery and fuel care, and performing regular inspections, you can ensure that your equipment thrives in cold conditions. This commitment to upkeep not only ensures performance but also extends the lifespan of your machine, proving that rigorous maintenance is the key to operational excellence, regardless of the season.
