Caterpillar (www.cat.com) publishes Cold Weather Recommendations for All Caterpillar Machines, (Excerpted from Operation & Maintenance Manual, SEBU5898-11-01). Further, Caterpillar organizes the document about construction machinery and heavy equipment in cold weather and low temperatures in the following five topical sections of information, operation, maintenance, reference information, and index.
In the first of the five topical sections in Cold Weather Recommendations for All Caterpillar Machines, Information Section: Cold Weather Recommendations (SMCS Code: 1000; 7000), Caterpillar recommends that fleet managers, equipment operators, and other stakeholders read the information for selecting the lubricants to use in cold weather. Refer to Special Publication, SEBU6250, Lubricant Viscosities for more information.
Further, in Cold Weather Recommendations for All Caterpillar Machines, Information Section: Cold Weather Recommendations (SMCS Code: 1000; 7000), Caterpillar advocates first to prepare construction machinery for cold weather and low temperatures, and second to use the following three options to keep construction machinery warm: 1. heaters; 2. enclosures for compartments; and, 3. storage facilities:
- To assist in warm-up, block the radiator. Blocking the radiator will restrict air from the fan.
- Before the beginning of cold weather, install the correct lubricant in each compartment.
- Keep all starting fluid at room temperature.
- Inject starting fluid only while the engine is cranking.
- Provide cooling system protection for the lowest expected outside temperature.
- Check all rubber parts weekly: hoses, tires, and fan drive belts.
- Check all electrical wiring and connections for any fraying or for damaged insulation.
- Keep all batteries fully charged and warm.
- Fill the fuel tank at the end of each shift.
- Check the air cleaners and the air intake daily.
Keywords: air cleaners; air intake; batteries; Cat; Caterpillar; cold; cold weather; construction machinery; cooling system; electrical connections; electrical wiring; enclosures for compartments; equipment; fleet; fleet managers; fuel tank; heaters; heavy equipment; low temperatures; lubricants; lubricant viscosities; machinery; radiator; starting fluid; storage facilities; warm.
(Source: Caterpillar, Cold Weather Recommendations for All Caterpillar Machines, Excerpted from Operation & Maintenance Manual, SEBU5898-11-01)
More in the next blog about heavy equipment and construction machinery in winter weather, cold temperatures and adverse conditions…