Excavator service – how to prepare equipment for the spring season?

1. Check the level of hydraulic oil, engine oil and coolants. If necessary, replenish them to the appropriate level. Also replace all filters.
2. Check if any of the seals is leaking or damaged. However, don’t forget that rubber O-rings shrink in the cold and may reseal when heated. Therefore, before replacing them, make sure that they are really damaged.
3. Clean undercarriage of debris and adjust track tension. Also check that the track pads have not come loose. If necessary, of course, fix it.
4. Other things worth checking out are the boom and arm components, such as pins or bushings. If necessary, replace them. It is not worth delaying it, it will do more harm than good. Also set up support pads, arm and bucket.
5. Check all snakes. Make sure there are no signs of wear, tears, swelling or abrasions. Look for oil and coolant leaks from the engine and repair them immediately if there are. Ignoring leaks usually causes additional problems.
6. Clean the cabin thoroughly and replace the cabin air filters. Dirty filter = dirty air that the operator breathes. If the cabin is icy – under no circumstances crush the ice with a shovel, this will damage the paintwork. A much better solution is to move the machine to a warmer room to let the ice melt. It is also worth checking for ice build-up around the swing or travel final drive as it can damage the seals.

Its absence may result in extensive repair work, and thus also downtime in the season. The spring service of an excavator will be much easier if it has been properly prepared for winter a few months earlier. You can read about it in our other article: How to prepare a mini excavator for winter?