Heavy Equipment Diesel Engine Maintenance Checklist
Diesel engines are the driving force in various types of heavy equipment, such as excavators, bulldozers and motor graders. They must perform flawlessly to meet expectations and keep projects on schedule.
Because these engines operate in challenging conditions, they can wear out quickly or experience mechanical issues that affect performance. Equipment owners can take several steps to maintain reliable operation and maximize a diesel engine's life span.
Issues Impacting Diesel Engine Longevity
Examples of the common problems that diesel engines in off-road heavy equipment experience include:
- Dust, dirt and debris infiltration: These materials can clog the engine's intake system, causing excessive wear and tear.
- Rugged terrain: Using the equipment frequently on rough surfaces creates vibrations that increase the wear on engine mounts.
- Overloading: Operating a diesel engine beyond its capacity can reduce its life span by damaging crucial components.
- Irregular maintenance: Diesel engines require regular attention and service to remain in peak operating condition and avoid premature wear.
- Low-quality fluids: Using substandard fuels, lubricants and coolants can negatively impact engine performance and longevity.
- Cold starting: Firing up a diesel engine in freezing conditions can place additional stress on the components and contribute to a shorter life.
How to Extend Diesel Engine Life
Follow these tips to help your heavy equipment's diesel engine perform better and last longer.
1. Make Preventive Maintenance a Priority
Every piece of equipment in your fleet comes with a set of manufacturer's recommendations for appropriate care and service. Make it a company policy to follow these guidelines and set up a maintenance schedule to ensure your technicians adhere to them.
2. Replace Fluids and Filters Regularly
Changing the oil and other vital fluids at the recommended intervals should be a cornerstone of your maintenance program. You should also replace the filters simultaneously to keep potentially damaging contaminants from infiltrating the fluids.
3. Properly Maintain Hydraulic Systems
Today's heavy equipment relies on advanced hydraulics. Besides changing the hydraulic fluid and filters at the appropriate time, you should take frequent oil samples and send them for professional analysis.
4. Check the Air Cleaner
A plugged-up air filter is one of the top causes of a diesel engine's early demise. With all the dirt and dust generated at a job site, these filters can become clogged quickly, making them ineffective. If your equipment contains an air filter indicator, check it daily to ensure the cleaner is functioning correctly.
5. Replace the Fuel Injectors
Increasingly stringent emissions regulations are making fuel injection systems work harder and wear out sooner, which affects engine performance and longevity. Checking and replacing the fuel injector every 3,000 hours of operation — or more frequently in heavy-use environments — can mitigate this issue.
6. Take Care of the Cooling System
Diesel engines run hotter than their gasoline counterparts. A properly functioning radiator is a crucial component that delivers coolant throughout the engine and keeps it from overheating. Check the coolant at least every 500 hours of operation and ensure it contains the appropriate DCA4 additive, which is required in most of today's equipment models.
Prime Source Can Help Prolong Diesel Engine Life
Prime Source Parts and Equipment, a member of the CTE family of companies that includes Carolina Cat, has everything you need to keep the diesel engines in your skid steer loaders, articulated trucks and other heavy equipment running smoothly. We carry a wide selection of high-quality new and used replacement parts for leading brands like Case, Hitachi, JLG, John Deere and Multiquip. We also offer reliable small engine repair and maintenance services to maximize your engine's life span.
Contact us to learn more about your diesel engine parts and service options today.