Winter Maintenance Tips for Hitachi Construction Machinery

Winter is officially here and operating heavy machinery like Hitachi construction machinery can become more challenging due to harsh weather conditions, freezing temperatures, and potential equipment malfunctions. However, with proper winter maintenance, you can ensure your excavator stays in optimal condition, minimises downtime, and maintains efficiency in even the coldest environments.

1.  Inspection

It’s essential to conduct a thorough inspection of your Hitachi excavator to identify any issues that could worsen in cold conditions.

A check should include:

- Hydraulic system inspection: Check for leaks and ensure that hydraulic fluid levels are adequate. Cold temperatures can affect hydraulic seals, gaskets and pipework.

- Battery health: Cold weather can drain battery life faster. Ensure that the battery is fully charged, clean the terminals to avoid corrosion, and test the battery’s voltage. If the battery is old, consider replacing it.

- Undercarriage check: Look for wear and tear, cracks, or damage on the undercarriage. Ice, snow, and debris can accumulate and damage components during winter operation.

- Electrical system: Inspect wiring, connectors, and lights to ensure everything is functioning correctly, as cold weather can affect electrical systems.

- Lights: Check the lighting on your equipment to ensure good visibility throughout the day.

- Cab Heating: Ensure vents, pollen filters and heaters are functioning to keep you warm and your windows free of ice and condensation or simply book a climate control health check by contacting our Product Support department.

2. Using the Right Fluids and Lubricants

Cold weather can significantly impact the performance of fluids used in your Hitachi construction machinery. Here’s what to consider:

- Engine oil: The right engine oil viscosity and quality is especially important in the Winter.

By using Hitachi Genuine DH-2 10W40 engine oil you are guaranteed to meet the requirements of your engine in both cooler and warmer weather conditions, ensuring the best lubrication and starting performance all year round.

- Antifreeze: Ensure the coolant system is filled with the correct mix of antifreeze and water. In winter, coolant should have a lower freezing point to prevent freezing in the engine and cooling systems.

The use of Hitachi Genuine Long-Life Coolant -37°C 50/50 Premix ensures your engine and cooling system is protected.

- Grease: Apply high quality grease to all pivot points, pins, and bushings.

Hitachi Genuine Grease EP-2 can be used on all operating parts of your construction machinery. This formula protects parts from wear and corrosion and can be used in wet, dusty, dry and cold conditions, resulting in reduced downtime and maintenance along with extending the lifetime of your Hitachi construction equipment.

- Hydraulic oil: The right viscosity and quality of hydraulic oil is vital all year round.

3. Warm-Up Procedures

Before starting your Hitachi excavator on cold mornings, give it time to warm up properly. Skipping this step can lead to unnecessary stress on the engine and other critical components. Follow these steps for safe warm-up:

- Check fluid levels: Make sure engine oil, hydraulic fluid, and coolant levels are within their recommended ranges.

- Start the engine and idle: Let the engine run for at least 5-10 minutes at idle speed. This helps the fluids warm up and reach proper viscosity levels, ensuring smoother operation.

- Activate hydraulic systems: After the engine has warmed up, slowly cycle through all hydraulic functions to warm the hydraulic oil and prevent damage to components, hoses and seals.

4. Protecting the Undercarriage

During winter operations, ice, snow, and mud can build up on the excavator's undercarriage, causing damage and affecting the machine's performance. To protect the undercarriage, follow these steps:

- Clean regularly: Remove ice, frozen debris and snow from the undercarriage daily, particularly after operations. Build-up can freeze and damage critical components.

- Track tension: Check the tension of the tracks regularly. Especially for rubber tracks, cold temperatures can cause the rubber to contract leading to improper tension which could wear out the tracks prematurely.

- Avoid sharp turns: Sharp and harsh turns on frozen or snow-covered ground can put additional stress on the undercarriage and cause track damage.

- Clear snow from the worksite: Ensure the area where your machine is stored or parked is cleared of snow and ice to prevent damage when starting or moving the excavator if the tracks are frozen to the ground.

5. Long term storage and Shelter.

Proper storage of your Hitachi excavator during the winter can prevent many cold-weather-related issues. Consider the below tips:

- Cover the machine: If you can’t store your excavator indoors, cover it with a tarp to protect it from snow, ice, and moisture. This will reduce the chances of freezing and corrosion.

- Grease all moving parts: Grease all moving parts to minimize corrosion and seizure.

- Fill with fuel: Fill up the fuel tank, to prevent condensation and corrosion.

- Clean: Clean the machine before storage.

6. Winter Operation Tips

Operating construction machinery in winter requires extra caution and adjustments to ensure safe and efficient use:

- Slow movements: Cold hydraulic systems may be slower to respond. Begin operations gradually, avoiding sudden or fast movements until the machine has fully warmed up.

- Keep attachments clean: Snow and ice can build up on excavator buckets or other attachments. Clean them before and after use to prevent damage and maintain efficiency.

- Visibility: Ensure windows, mirrors, and lights are clear of snow and ice to maximise visibility during operation.

7. Regular Maintenance Throughout Winter

Winter maintenance is an ongoing task. Schedule regular checks and servicing to ensure your Hitachi excavator remains in peak working condition throughout the season. Key points to monitor include:

- Fuel filter replacements: Stock up on fuel filters during very cold conditions as crystallization can start to take place and form in the fuel, leading to clogged filters.

Make sure you regularly check and replace filters to avoid issues.

- Track inspections: Frozen ground can accelerate wear on tracks. Regularly inspect and adjust track tension as needed.

Conclusion

Maintaining your construction machinery during winter requires attention to detail and a proactive approach. By preparing your machine for the cold weather and performing regular maintenance, you can extend its lifespan, reduce downtime, and ensure safe and efficient operation throughout the winter months.

Following these tips will help you to keep your excavator working smoothly, even in harsh winter conditions.

Don’t forget you can book a 16-point winter health check by contacting our Product Support department.