Rising temperatures increase the potential for damage to your material handling equipment. You might experience engine wear at a higher rate, parts failures, and more maintenance expenses – which can all be avoided by taking a few precautions, assuming you are conducting regular inspections.
1. Replace worn belts – belt failure can cause overheating.
2. Coolant replacement – check and replace the coolant regularly to keep the machines running at an optimum temperature.
3. Replace hoses – don’t wait until you see real damage, it may be too late. Coolant can leak, increasing the engine temperature.
4. Test radiator cap pressure – coolant is pressurized to help keep the boiling point of coolant high and those caps are vital to ensuring correct pressurization.
5. Examine the engine fan – its purpose is to keep heat away from the engine, so a damaged fan also contributes to higher engine temperatures. The equipment manufacturer will recommend a replacement fan.
While maintaining optimal engine temperature is important any time of year, it is especially important to keep a closer eye on during these hot summer months. One easy, hassle-free way to make sure your equipment is taken care of on a regular basis is signing up for a maintenance agreement. Any material handling company should have maintenance agreements available on varying schedules for any budget.