Spring prep: tips to get your machinery ready for work

Temperatures are rising, flowers are blooming, and jobs are shifting into gear. It’s springtime, and if you live in a cold-weather climate, your machinery has been hibernating like a bear. It’s time for your gear to come out of its cave and start to roar.

We’ve got some spring cleaning and maintenance tips to help you get your machinery prepared for any upcoming jobs on the immediate horizon, or if you’re looking to sell assets.

Tick off those maintenance tasks

1. Check the fluids and filters

Your first step is to look at your machine’s fluids to get insight into its current condition. Check the engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, hydraulic fluid, etc. Low or dirty fluids could be a warning flag, while clues like water in the engine oil could be a sign that it needs immediate attention.

2. Lubricating

We all know the feeling of waking up after a long sleep – you are stiff as a board. This is the same for your machinery, which has been sitting in storage for months. Apply lubricant to major components to help it perform with a full range of motion.    

Review Maintenance records

Spring prep is a perfect opportunity to go over your maintenance records. Locate your paperwork, such as owner manuals, maintenance performance logs, and warranty requirements. Your warranty policies might require specific tasks that need to be completed in order to continue securing coverage. 

You might want to also review your insurance policies to ensure you’re covered for any specific upcoming jobs.       

Give it a once-over 

There’s nothing wrong with dings and scratches – every used machine has them. What you’re looking for are hairline cracks, rust, or damage that may lead to problems in the future, especially during a job. Any repairs you’ll need down the road will mean added costs and downtime when you can’t use your machine.

Tires, or the undercarriage on tracked vehicles, are another critical place to check. Low pressure on tires after a season of being idle can affect your machine’s performance, fuel efficiency, and overall driving experience, especially during spring’s soft, muddy conditions.

And don’t forget to check the treads. Make sure they’re not too worn out to operate the machine properly.  

Fire up the engine

There’s no better way to evaluate your machinery at springtime than to turn it on and run it. How the machine runs when the engine is cold will tell you a lot about its current condition.

Another tell-tale clue is the color of the exhaust smoke the engine produces. This can often reveal any issues that might exist.

For example: Black smoke typically means the air/fuel mixture is too rich in fuel. This could be caused by a number of issues including faulty injectors or something as simple as a dirty air filter. White smoke could mean that fuel is burning incorrectly. The engine could have a faulty head gasket that lets water mix with the fuel, or there could be a compression issue. Blue smoke means the engine is burning oil. This is likely caused by a worn ring or seal but could also be something as simple as an over-fill of engine oil.

Thinking of selling this spring? Here’s a check list to help you prepare

Some things you can do to give potential buyers confidence and increase your returns:

• Have proof of ownership available and clear title
• Provide maintenance and/or repair records, certifications etc.
• Make sure that batteries have sufficient charge to start the machinery
• Clean the machinery for good photo options including: 
  • Undercarriage and tires or tracks
  • Engine compartment
  • Operator’s cab
  • Ensure VIN tag is attached and legible
  • Make sure all fluids are at appropriate levels
• Make sure to note all attachments and accessories that come with the machinery
• Consign early to take advantage of maximum exposure through our marketing efforts
• Consider refurbishing, painting, and minor repair services available to you at many Ritchie Bros. permanent locations. Two machines of the same make, model and age with the same hours on the meter and the same mechanical condition can sell for radically different prices based on appearance.

See also

How to start a land clearing business: equipment, costs, and income potential