By John Smith
As tough as it appears to be, heavy equipment doesn’t like the cold. When the temperature begins to drop, lubricants can be transformed into thick sludge. Moisture in the brake system can turn to ice. And metal parts of every sort will be exposed to layer upon corrosive layer of chemicals that are used to clear ice from North American highways.
Providing customers with comprehensive preventive maintenance geared toward cold-weather operation is essential to protect them and their equipment against this onslaught.
At a glance, service technicians should be looking for early signs of corrosion (something that will only get worse as the winter progresses) or the weakened tie wraps that could break once air lines and wiring harnesses are coated in a heavy accumulation of snow. Batteries should be tested to ensure they will have the cold cranking amps that are required to start an engine in colder climates.
A switch to synthetic fluids, meanwhile, could help ensure a proper level of lubrication as temperatures begin to plummet. In the transmissions and differentials alone, a synthetic 75W-90 fluid will offer protection in temperatures as cold as -40° F, compared to a conventional 80W-90 that will work down to -15° F.
CHOOSING OILS AND COOLANTS
“For winter service, an important indicator of oil suitability is SAE viscosity grade,” says Erin Olsen, a member of the engine oils team at Chevron Global Lubricants. “The number in front of the W is a measure of pumping and cranking performance.”
He explains that each step lower – for instance, from 10W to 5W – represents a 9° F improvement in low-temperature capability. So, customers in southern states may be able to use a 15W-40 formula throughout the year, but those in colder climes may require a 10W-30 or 5W-40 formula during winter months.
