Operators of wheel loaders need to have a standard strategy for wheel loader maintenance on their equipment. From heavy-duty projects to light lifting, wheel loaders can take on severe damage and break if not properly inspected by competent managers. Even with updated training and knowledge of loader schematics, though, operators can sometimes overlook important areas during inspection, leading to operation issues later on. To guarantee the best quality and longevity of your wheel loader, here are some important things to consider and watch out for throughout your wheel loader maintenance inspection.
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Essential Things to Check During Wheel Loader Maintenance
Attachments
Wheel loader tools undergo a great deal of wear and tear in almost every project when loading and unloading materials. Out of all parts, wheel loader maintenance is most required for the attachment edges, which include:
- Forks
- Snow Pushers
- Rock Buckets
- Quick Couplers
- General Purpose Buckets
- Grapple Buckets
- Light Material Buckets
Forks and buckets are the most commonly used attachments to wheel loaders, and thus receive the most inspection during wheel loader maintenance besides the whole loader. Ensuring such high-impact tools stay in optimal, peak conditions, routine inspection is a must. During such inspections, operators should scrutinize hoses, tilt and lift cylinders, and edges of each attachment for cracks or missing “teeth” within certain forked components. In buckets, metal plates and bolts must take priority to see if the attachment is coming loose or shows signs of deterioration. Should wear and tear be too much, immediate replacement or repair of parts should happen to prevent further project delays.
Tires
During wheel loader maintenance, one of the first areas operators check are the loader’s tires, specifically whether the tire’s treads are worn or properly inflated. While operators must stay updated on current wheel loader maintenance schematics and manuals, checking for tears in the tires is crucial to avoid potential leaks. Worst case scenario, an improperly inspected wheel loader could blow a tire, damaging the equipment and making it inoperable for a long time. Thus, operators mustn’t forget to check their loader’s tires for punctures and air pressure.
Tires should be one of the first and most frequently checked areas of your loader.
Brakes
At the core, wheel loader maintenance is meant to ensure the safety of all operators and potential clients that employ their services. This is particularly true considering the congested worksites where wheel loaders work, often in close quarters or heavy with personnel constructing different parts of a project. For the sake of everyone’s safety, then, driving and parking brakes hold high-priority during loader inspection. To prevent harming construction workers or fellow operators, driving brakes must be able to stop immediately without dropping materials; likewise, wheel loader parking brakes must be stable enough to secure the machine on an incline or else risk rolling.
Drivelines
Operators contracted to complete projects within a certain time limit will at some point use their wheel loaders in different landscapes or weather. Unfortunately, wheel loader maintenance becomes harder depending on the conditions, as wet soil can build up in the driveline. As a result, inspections can take more time as cracks in driveline seals or warping in axles are harder to distinguish beneath such grime. As such, wheel loader maintenance demands routine upkeep, as cleaning will prevent materials from wearing down the metal while exposing compromised areas along the driveline.
Fuel Systems
To get the most quality and progress out of your wheel loader, maintenance of your loader’s fuel system should be accounted for to avoid catastrophic engine failure. Depending on the brand of wheel loader, the types of fuel fluids you use are important. Engine oil and coolants also factor in with wheel loader maintenance to keep all loader internal mechanisms lubricated and running smoothly, so checking those levels using dipsticks and sight glasses will ensure exact fuel and fluid measurements throughout the system.
Filters
Along with checking fuel systems, operators conducting wheel loader maintenance should likewise ensure that fuel system filters meet current operation and EPA emission standards. Frequently cleaning your wheel loader’s fuel filter will help your fuel system run more efficiently while keeping the line clear of dirt blockages, which pose a potential danger of combustion or prevention of fuel flow for the engine if not removed.
Loader Parts Source carries a variety of engine oil and other types of filters.
Cooling Systems
Cooling systems aid wheel loaders in keeping their internal equipment from fuel lines to engine components from overheating and breaking down. As a safety measure, wheel loader maintenance requires inspection of cooling lines throughout the inspection process. This is especially important as cooling system fans can be clogged by built-up dust, grime, and wet material solutions over time. Thus, operators should dust and wipe down fans within the cooling system to keep your wheel loader calm and operational for any project.
Repair Your Loader with Loader Parts Source
Though no wheel loader is exactly the same depending on brand or fuel emission, every operator should consider these key components during their wheel loader maintenance. Conducting the right strategy for your wheel loader will not only optimize your project’s completion, but also ensure the productive longevity of your equipment until repairs are necessary.
When the time comes for repair of your wheel loader parts, count on Loader Parts Source to deliver quality services for whatever you need. With our remanufacturing and repair services, we extend the lifespan of your wheel loader, giving it new life and returning your reliable machine back to work. For more information about our remanufacturing and repair services, contact us at Loader Parts Source today!
