BOOM TRUCK WINTER MAINTENANCE



THAT  HELPLESS  FEELING



CRANE TIPS:

#1 Frozen ground. This condition can give you a false sense of the true stability of the surface underneath. What seems solid may only be solid few inches deep. Always use the PROPER SIZE outrigger and stabilizer pads - which we conveniently have in stock.

#2 Operating in cold temperatures - over throttling cold machines can damage the telescope cylinder and also cause your return hoses to blow off. Remember that hydraulic oil thickens when cold, which increases back pressure on the return system. Make sure your return hose clamps are tight and properly warm up machines before use.

#3 Freeze/ thaw cycles. This condition can allow ice to build up on the top of the boom and ice can slide off at any time – aimed right at the operator station. Also, cable pulleys can freeze up and allow the cables to jump off the sheaves thereby damaging the cables - this is especially true for anti-two block cables. Be observant, check the sheaves for rotation and inspect booms for ice before you boom up, especially when machines are left out overnight.


#4 Lubrication. Throughout the cold months, make sure that you keep your control levers and rods lubricated as water can freeze your levers solid If not lubed properly. Before the cold weather hits, check that your swing gear box fluid is clean and free of water contamination. Every year, after the first significant cold snap, we have customers calling in complaining of a complete loss of swing operation. Ice in the fluid can and will freeze your gear box. Note -if your fluid is water contaminated, most likely, you will have a damaged pinion seal which will need to be replaced to keep the water out.

TRUCK TIPS:

#1 Air tanks.   Air contains moisture. Air tanks develop moisture inside and this water must be drained. This is usually overlooked in the warmer months but becomes an issue during the winter. Ice can and does freeze your brake valve - so that you cannot unlock your brakes - or freezes your PTO (air switch) so you cannot engage your PTO in order to run your crane.



#2 Tire pressure.  Cold temperatures lower tire pressure. When is the last time you checked and filled yours? Now is also a good time to check if you have enough tread left on your tires to carry you thru the winter snow.

#3 Lighting/ batteries. You will be working during more hours of darkness in the winter and all lighting needs to operate properly. In addition, your truck batteries should be tested for condition and terminals should be cleaned.

#4 Engine fluids. Coolant condition and freeze protection must be checked prior to the winter season. Don’t rely on last years test! TEST AGAIN! Diesel fuel will “gel” at colder temperatures and must be treated with anti-gel fluid to prevent this. It seams that every one knows this, but at seem to forget each winter as the first cold snap will cause a run on anti-gel at the auto and truck supply stores.

GET YOUR BOOM TRUCK READY FOR WINTER