Special Guest Blog- 18 Tips to Help Minimize Operating Costs for Skid Steers

Fri April 14, 2017
Agricultural Equipment Guide

Your skid-steer represents a significant investment for your fleet. The key to getting the most out of your investment includes:

• minimizing operating costs,

• reducing downtime, and

• extending its life.

Included here are some simple maintenance and operating tips to help you minimize the costs related to your skid steers...

Tip #1: Don'T Spin Tires When Digging

Don't spin the tires when digging. Many operators mistakenly think that this improves performance, but it does not. Instead, it just causes unnecessary (and expensive) wear on the tires.

Tip #2: Routine Regular Maintenance of Heavy Equipment

How many pieces of heavy equipment do you need in your fleet before you start a regular maintenance routine? Suprisingly, experts will tell you that the answer is 1 -- even if you only own one piece of equipment, establish a routine for regular maintenance and adhere to it. It will save you money in the long run and minimize overall downtime.

Tip #3: Daily Safety Check

Take a few minutes to perform a daily walk-around, checking the front end, the tires, the engine, fluid levels, and safety controls. It only takes a few minutes, and gives you the information you need to prevent major problems before they start. Like the previous tip, this practice will help to minimize downtime, too.

Tip #4: Clean and Check Skid Steer

Thoroughly clean the skid steer and check it for damage every time it returns from a job site. Don't allow mud and and other debris to build up. Not only can this damage some parts of your skid steer (like the undercarriage) but it can prevent you from spotting potential problems like leaks.

Tip #5: Weekly Tire Check

Always keep the tires properly inflated, referring to your manufacturer's guidelines for proper tire pressure. You should check the pressure at least once a week -- some owners and operators will check the pressure once a day. Appropriate pressure reduces wear and improves the performance of your skid steer.

Tip #6: Counterweights

Take off the counterweights when they are not needed. Using counterweights when you don't need them can cause excess wear to some of the key components of your skid steer.

Tip #7: Use of Filters and Lubricants

Use the filters and lubricants recommended by the manufacturer. Your skid-steer was designed to use them. Off-brand filters may be cheaper but can cause serious damage if they aren't good quality.

Tip #8: Prepare for Freezing Temperatures

If you are expecting freezing temperatures between shifts, run your skid steer in forward and then reverse before you shut it down. This prevents a build-up of moisture that can later freeze around the undercarriage and wheels.

Tip #9: Check Tire Treads

Regularly check the tire treads for uneven wear. When you do see it -- and keep in mind that it is normal for the rear tires to wear out more quickly -- rotate the tires. This will to promote more even wear, and enable you tires to last much longer.

Tip #10: Minimum Ground Speed

Use the minimum ground speed you need to get the job done. Running your skid steer to fast will accelerate its rate of normal wear and tear and will be more costly over time.

Tip #11: Counter-Rotating Turns

Make your turns without counter-rotating. This will minimize wear on the undercarriage, which is usually the most expensive part of your skid steer when it comes to maintenance and repair costs.

Tip #12: What to Do on Slopes

When on a slope, keep the heaviest end of the machine uphill. Also try to avoid making 90° turns. Again, operator practices like these may be hard to implement initially, but it will be worth the savings in wear and tear on your equipment.

Tip #13: Traveling over a Change in Slope or Elevation

If you must travel over a change in slope or elevation, do it with the machine at a 90° angle to the transition.

Tip #14: Skid Steer Tires on Roads

Keep in mind that the tires of your skid steer were not designed for roads. Keep this in mind: they will wear out far more quickly when driven on roads, concrete, or asphalt.

Tip #15: Records on Maintenance and Repair

Keep good records on maintenance and repairs. This can help you notice patterns in repairs or unusual wear, indicate what might be responsible for repeat machine failures, and help you make sure that you are practicing routine maintenance.

Tip #16: Daily Undercarriage Maintenance

Clean out the undercarriage daily, preferably using a pressure washer if one is available or simply a shovel. If debris is allowed to build up, it can can corrosion, wear, and premature failure over time.

Tip #17: Replacement of Rims

Always replace wheel rims that are dented or bent. Damaged wheel rims can cause serious damage to your tires over time, which means even more expenses.

Tip #18: Check and Change Gear Oil

Check and change the gear oil in the final drive according to manufacturer's recommendations. Failure to do so can cause gear oil leaks to go unattended and eventually result in severe damage to the planetary side of the final drive.

*this blog piece was republished with permission of Texas Final Drive.

For more information, click the button below to visit their site.

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This story also appears on Construction Equipment Guide.