When working in a field where production relies heavily on the efficient use of equipment such as skid-steer loaders, it’s essential to take the time to maintain that equipment properly. Failing to do so will likely lead to expensive repairs as well as downtime, which can halt your company’s production, tarnish your reputation, and reduce income. For effective tips on how to maintain your skid-steer loader, continue reading.
Use Tires With Appropriate Cushion
To prevent premature wear and keep your skid-steer loader in working order for as long as possible, it’s important to use tires with ample cushion. Because skid-steer loaders don’t have a suspension system like a car, they rely primarily on their tires for shock absorption.
If the tires that you equip your skid steer with don’t provide a good amount of cushion, your skid-steer will likely get jostled around a lot while driving. The rough ride can put excess wear and tear on the machinery’s axles and drive train, which will likely shorten its life. As such, it’s important to invest in tires that provide an ample amount of cushion.
Regularly Inspect Your Skid-Steer Loader
One of the most important tips on how to maintain your skid-steer loader is to conduct regular inspections. If there is an issue with any of the skid-steer loader’s components, it’s important to identify and resolve it right away. In doing so, you can prevent a small issue from turning into a large problem that shortens the life of your machine. As such, it is imperative to complete regular inspections before and after operating the loader. Such inspections should focus on a wide variety of the skid-steer’s components such as its cylinders, hoses, guards, boom pins, and bushings.
Regularly Clean Auxiliary Hose Connections
While it is important to regularly clean all areas of your skid-steer loader, operators should pay special attention to auxiliary hose connections. If the skid-steer’s auxiliary hose connections are not cleaned properly, dirt, dust, and other contaminants can easily infiltrate its hydraulic system and significantly shorten the machinery’s life.
To clean the auxiliary hose connections of your skid-steer, simply use a rag or whatever you have on hand to wipe off the connection to the attachment and the connection on the machine before hooking up any hydraulically-driven attachments. Such a simple maintenance task could add numerous years to the lifespan of the loader.
