Skid Steer Maintenance: Don’t Miss These Essential Checkpoints
Maintaining your used skid steer loader doesn’t have to be hard. We’ve compiled 3 essential checkpoints you can’t miss when you’re taking care of your skid steer, so you can avoid repairs and downtime and prioritize an efficient worksite.
Checkpoint 1: Daily Maintenance
The goal of daily skid steer maintenance is to catch issues before they become bigger problems. This will save you from downtime, potential breakdowns and keep your skid steer running smoothly.
Visual Inspection: Start your daily maintenance off with a walk around your skid steer. Check for leaks, damage, or loose parts on your frame, hoses, fittings, and tires.
Fluid Levels: Check your fluid levels, including engine oil, hydraulic fluid, coolant, and fuel. If any of these have fallen below recommended levels, top them up.
Tires: Inspect for damage and check tire pressure- overinflated and underinflated tires will affect your skid steer’s performance.
Checkpoint 2: Periodic Maintenance
Periodic maintenance deals with upkeep that’s performed every 50-250 hours and is another essential part of keeping your skid steer in good working condition. The exact intervals at which these services should be performed vary depending on the make and model of your skid steer, so be sure to check your operator’s manual for information specific to your machine.
Every 50-100 Hours: Clean radiator and coolers, check wheel lug torque, and drain water from fuel/water separator.
Every 250 Hours: Change the oil and replace the engine and fuel filters.
Checkpoint 3: Seasonal Maintenance
Preparing your skid steer for harsh weather conditions shouldn’t be missed in your maintenance routine. Whether you have a Cat 242D or a Cat 262D3, seasonal prep will ensure your loader stays operational in all climates.
Before Winter: Use winter-grade fuel, install a cold-weather battery for work in sub-zero conditions, lubricate exposed fittings and pins to prevent freezing, and use a low-viscosity hydraulic oil for the best skid steer performance in cold climates.
Before Summer: Check and clean the A/C system, flush and replace coolant, and make sure the engine and hydraulic systems don’t overheat.
Conclusion
When you stick to these maintenance checkpoints, your skid steer is sure to perform optimally- no matter the conditions.
Thinking about adding a skid steer to your fleet? Check out Fused’s used skid loaders for sale or reach out to our team of experts for assistance in finding the right used skid loader for your worksite.