Steering away from loader downtime

The Milwaukee-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and some of its member companies say preventive maintenance (PM) is key to longer life for skid steel loaders.

The AEM and three of its equipment making members have offered five tips to help operators of such loaders achieve optimal PM practices.

1. Get in the everyday habit

Operators should start each workday with a daily walk-around inspection in which they check fluid levels (hydraulic fluid, fuel, coolant, engine oil) to make sure they are in the operating range specified in the owner’s manual.

“Fluid levels can have a significant effect on the machine’s performance and can lead to overheating a particular system, loss of machine performance, or even downtime,” says Kevin Coleman, senior product specialist at Deerfield, Illinois-based Caterpillar Inc.

Checking the filters (engine air filters as well as cab filters) also makes that daily list. “Owners who are diligent about following filter maintenance intervals are the ones who will see the least amount of downtime,” says Fred Paul. Adds Paul, who is a manager at a training university run by Germany-based Wacker Neuson, “By utilizing high-quality fuel, oils and OEM filters, the owner is in a position to maximize uptime and productivity.”

Another daily habit: Inspect for leaks and look for fluids gathering anywhere inside the engine compartment, and look for fluids in other places.

“Whether on the ground, in the engine compartment or on the machine itself, pooled fluid tells a story that should be investigated,” says George MacIntyre, product manager for Racine, Wisconsin-based Case Skid Steers and compact track loaders (CTLs). “Identifying the source will help you identify possible damage or repairs that can be made before they become more costly downtime events.”

Three more recommendations from the manufacturers:  1) inspect the fuel and water separator bowl and drain any water and apply grease to all greasing locations; 2) check all hoses for damage or wear and confirm all safety guards/braces are present and in working order; and 3) verify the fluid compartments are sealed with the proper caps and remove any debris from the machine (engine compartment, around axles, etc.)

Checking tires daily for wear or damage and for proper inflation comes last but not least on the daily list. “Flat or underinflated tires can affect the machine’s safety and performance in addition to leading to downtime,” says Coleman. “If you have a low tire when you lift a load off the ground it can make the machine very unstable,” adds Paul.

2. The fluids tell a story

Fluid management was a key topic of education at the AEM’s ConExpo-Con/Agg https://www.conexpoconagg.com 2020, says the group, and according to MacIntrye, fluid sampling is an often-overlooked practice that can tell you a lot about the health and performance of your machine.

Case recommends engine oil samples be sent for analysis every 250 hours, hydraulic and transmission fluid every 250-500 hours, and coolant be tested annually. Owner’s manuals will include the recommended intervals for a given machine.

“The important thing is to take oil samples regularly, so that changes can be identified, the correct diagnosis made, and remedial measures are taken,” says Coleman. “Fluid sampling will also help an owner to monitor the total health of the machines.”

MacIntyre indicates fluid sampling is especially important if a machine has had previous owners or has been used across numerous job sites. “It’s often those unseen issues that can create the most unexpected downtime events,” he says.

When maintenance records provide a history of fluid sampling, it can be valuable when trading in your machine. “Fluid sampling may also allow for extended oil drain intervals for certain fluids, thereby reducing owning and operating costs,” says Coleman.

3. Tap into telematics

Without dedicated fleet managers, many small and mid-sized firms who own skid steers can find it challenging to schedule routine maintenance.

Basic telematics programs provide hour readings and location data that can help these businesses stay ahead of maintenance intervals, say the manufacturers. More comprehensive telematic solutions provide additional functionality for machine monitoring, health and maintenance, they add.

“If a machine is equipped with the deluxe telematics version, and the machine alerts the operator with a problem, that same alert will be visible to the owner or mechanic at the same time,” says Paul. “This provides valuable diagnostic assistance early and can help the mechanic determine a course of action. Often this can save time and money on repair or maintenance costs and keep the machine operating at top performance.”

While the number of skid steer owners opting for telematics is relatively low in comparison with larger machines, MacIntyre sees an upward trend as equipment owners realize the advantages.

4. Getting the team on board

Operators are the first line of defense when it comes to taking action on maintenance items. In addition to daily inspections, operators need to understand how to respond to in-cab alerts and messages, says AEM.

Most skid steers include a machine vehicle control unit (MVCU) that provides real-time indicators of machine conditions. The codes could indicate something major, or something as simple as low DEF (diesel exhaust fluid). If small problems are promptly addressed, they often can prevent larger problems.

“When an operator has ‘ownership’ of a piece of machinery they tend to feel more involved with the company, have more pride in their work, and improved morale,” states Paul. “Owners who weave daily maintenance responsibilities into the operator’s task list will realize better functioning machinery and reduced downtime.”

5. Opting for ease of maintenance

Manufacturers and dealers are trying to make it more convenient than ever for fleet owners to maintain equipment, they say. A Caterpillar Customer Value Agreement is designed to ensure that parts are delivered on time with instructions for maintenance.

“Owners get the security of an Equipment Protection Plan (EPP) to avoid unexpected costs for unplanned repairs,” says Coleman. “All the keys to machine health management conveniently display on your phone. And it all can be rolled in with their monthly machine payment.”

Wacker Neuson service kits can be ordered prior to a scheduled PM visit so parts are on hand when the service is performed, reducing any downtime associated with the maintenance. Caterpillar self-service options offer a range of repair options, packaged with “everything” customers need to do the work themselves, in their shop or in the field, says the firm.