Simple Summer Maintenance for Your Motor Grader
Motor grader maintenance is crucial year-round, but summer presents a specific set of challenges. Our guide to motor grader maintenance in the summertime will make this season’s changes easy on you and your equipment!
Check the Cooling System
As temperatures rise, so does the risk of a strained cooling system. Dedicate some time to these areas to ensure your grader continues to perform in the heat.
Coolant Levels: Take a look at your motor grader’s coolant and top it up if it’s fallen below the recommended level. Refer to the maintenance manual to figure out which coolant is recommended by your grader’s manufacturer.
Inspect and Clean: check hoses, belts, and fans for leaks, cracks or wear. Clean the radiator and cooling fins to prevent overheating.
Keeping Your Engine in Good Condition
The summertime heat can accelerate oil degradation in your motor grader, so maintaining this area is especially important this season.
Change the engine oil and filters according to the recommended schedule in your manufacturer’s manual; however, check oil levels more frequently in case the heat causes them to drop. You can also find oil with viscosities suited for high temperatures- but check your manual first to make sure they’re compatible with your motor grader.
Ensure You Have a Clean Air Filter
With dusty summer conditions, your motor grader’s air filter can become clogged quickly. To prevent reduced engine efficiency, inspect, clean, and replace your air filter frequently. You should also inspect the air intake system, which draws in air for engine operation. Blockages are more common in dusty seasons like summer.
Inspect Your Tires
Hot weather can impact your grader’s tires by increasing tire pressure and promoting wear. To combat this, check your tire pressure regularly and adjust it according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Plus, don’t forget to inspect your motor grader’s tires for cuts, cracks, and wear.
Stay on Top of the Hydraulic System
The summer heat can also affect your hydraulic system. To ensure your motor graders’ hydraulics stay in good shape, monitor hydraulic fluid levels and top up as necessary, and inspect hoses for leaks or wear. Consider hydraulic fluids that are made for high temperatures for the best performance.
Conclusion
These areas are crucial to the operation of your motor grader and can be easily affected by the summer heat. When you follow this guide, you’re sure to stay on top of your motor grader’s summer maintenance needs.
Looking for used road graders for sale? Fused has everything from mini graders for sale to medium and large second-hand graders for sale.
Questions? Reach out to our team for more information!