Mini Excavators are the most versatile construction machinery you will ever use in your life. This compact machinery is becoming popular in the construction industry because it can fulfil a lot of tasks. So, taking care of the compact excavator maintenance tips is important.
They are cost-effective and easy to operate. Their compact sizes make them an ideal choice for household and other small tasks which other construction machinery can’t perform.
If you want to enhance the lifespan of your compact excavator and want it to work smoothly, you should keep doing preventive maintenance of it.
This preventive maintenance will not only keep your machine safe but will also avoid any mishap at the worksite. It will avoid any negative impact on the working of your mini digger, making this machine cost-effective.
So, what are the tips for the maintenance of a mini excavator?
This article will provide you with a complete maintenance guide for this versatile machinery. So, read it till the end.
This maintenance guide and tips are suitable for every type and brand of mini digger. No matter if you have a Bobcat or cheapest mini excavator, these maintenance tips apply to every brand and type.
Let’s start with the maintenance guide.
Complete Guide to Maintenance of Mini Excavator:
Let’s start with the sixteen amazing maintenance tips.
- Follow a Routine Maintenance Schedule:
Every mini excavator has a maintenance manual with them. This manual will tell you after how many intervals your compact excavator will need maintenance. You should follow the manual, and do maintenance according to it.
You should have a routine for maintaining your machine and stick to it. Let’s have a look at the general time frame for maintenance.
- Daily: Examine fluid levels, or look for cracks on the body. Check underneath to make sure no leak is there. Grease the attachments daily and inspect them for any damage.
- Weekly: Check the track tension and drive belt weekly. Also, grease the mini excavator’s slew ring bearing.
- After six months: Let an expert technician have a detailed look at your mini excavator.
- Every two years: Clean the fuel injectors.
- Have a checklist:
For maintenance of mini excavators, you should have a complete mini excavator maintenance checklist with you. This checklist will consist of three parts.
- Pre-Start Checklist: Check if the machine is parked correctly. Also, check the fluids and any damage.
- Start Checklist: Start the engine and allow it idle for 5 to 10 minutes. Test the brakes and lights. Check the gauges for any damage. Listen for any unusual voice or feel any unusual vibration.
- Shutdown checklist: Park the machine safely. Let the engine idle for almost 7-10 minutes before turning it off. Refill the tank and clean the machine.
If you take care of this maintenance checklist daily, your mini excavator will remain in the best condition for a long time.
- Check the attachments:
Regular checking of attachments will make them cost-effective as they will give you smooth working for a long time.
You should check whether there is rust, cracks, or damage on the attachments or arm. If there is anything, you should replace the attachments as soon as possible. Otherwise, they can affect your mini excavator’s arm too.
- Inspect the Side Hood:
Another main step in the maintenance of mini excavators is examining the interior of the side hoods.
Open the side hood and examine its interior. Examine the hydraulic tanks, hoses, plugs, and tubes.
Check the fluid level, leakage, and damage in it. Make sure everything is in optimal condition.
- Check Fuel Levels:
Every mini excavator has a recommended fuel level present in their manual. You should check the recommended fuel level of your machine and sustain it.
If you operate a mini excavator at a low fuel level, it will damage your machine. So, keep examining the fuel level and change the oil when it is needed.
- Check the cooling system:
Your manufacturer has recommended a coolant level for your mini excavator which you should follow. It will be written on the manual of your machine.
First, you should check whether there is any debris or leak in your cooling system. Remove the debris and repair the leaks.
After it, check the coolant level to ensure that it is according to the recommended level.
If it is not, then repair it.
- Check the fuel water separator:
Checking the fuel water separator is an effective tip for the maintenance of a mini excavator.
Your mini excavator can have a clear bowl with a red ring as the fuel water separator. If the ring is floating, it means there is water in your fuel.
It means there is a leak in your fuel filter which you should address instantly.
But if the ring is not floating, there is no damage and your machine is working ideally.
- Greasing:
You should grease the pivot points of your mini excavator. These points can be the attachments.
You should grease your bucket, arm, or other attachments to make sure they keep working smoothly.
This tip will prevent the pins of your machine from wearing out prematurely.
- Examine the Engine Compartment:
In the maintenance of mini excavators, you shouldn’t forget to inspect the engine compartment.
Remove the debris from there if it is present. Examine the oil cap and make sure it is tightened. Check the belts and replace them if needed.
Replace all the belts which are broken, worn, and damaged.
- Check Air Filters:
In your maintenance checklist, examining air filters is done every week. But if your job site is dusty, you have to inspect your filters often.
Check if your air filters are clogged or not. If they are clogged, take them out and gently knock them off.
It will remove debris from them and make them clean.
- Inspect the lights and mirrors:
The most important thing in the maintenance of mini excavators is to inspect the lights and mirrors. Daily inspecting them will help you in avoiding any accident or mishap while operating a mini digger.
Make sure that light bulbs are working, and that the covering of your lights is clean. They shouldn’t be damaged.
Windshield wipers should also be inspected for any damage or cracks. Their fluid levels should also be maintained.
Adjust the mirrors and make sure they are crack free.
- Inspect the tracks:
Examining the tracks should also be on your checklist to keep your mini excavator in good condition.
Remove the debris and check track tensions and adjust them. Inspect the tracks for any damage. If there is any, replace the tracks.
Make sure that your tracks are not too loose or too tight. If you are working on tough terrain for some days, you should regularly check your tracks.
- Inspect the Cabin:
Inspecting the cabin daily is an effective step in the maintenance of mini excavators.
If your cab is closed, you should clean the windows.
Remove the trash, if any, present on the floor of your cabin.
You should make sure that there are no broken switches and loose bolts in your mini excavator. If there are any, replace them.
This will ensure the safety of you and the people on your job site.
- Telematics:
Telematics is a technology that will keep a record of your mini excavator maintenance.
It will alert you whenever there is any issue with your mini excavator. It will tell you which part needs maintenance.
You can use this technology to keep the track of your mini excavator maintenance. It will help you in remembering which part was inspected last time. This will help you in avoiding any mishap or inconvenient situation on your job site.
- Avoid driving a mini excavator in severe weather conditions:
To have a long lifespan for your mini excavator, you should avoid driving it in extreme weather conditions.
If there is rain, thunder, lightning, heavy snow, or high winds, you should avoid using your machinery.
These extreme weather conditions can impact the parts and engine of your mini excavator.
- Hire an expert operator:
You should make sure that the operator of the mini excavator is an expert. Otherwise, he can use your machine in the wrong way which can heavily cost you.
Give training to your team and make them an expert in operating the mini digger. When you confirm that your operator is ready to operate your machine, then let him drive it.
This precaution is an effective tip for keeping the maintenance of mini excavators.
Wrap Up:
So, these are sixteen tips for the maintenance of mini excavators. You have noticed that these maintenance actions will not take much of your time, but will keep your mini excavator in a good condition for a long time.
When you are investing money by buying your mini excavator, you should make sure that this investment doesn’t get wasted.
These maintenance tips will help you in making your mini digger cost-effective. The daily checklist can prevent you from investing money in mini excavator attachments.
If you want to buy a mini excavator or want more information regarding them, you can contact us.
We will be more than glad to help you in clearing your queries. We can also assist you in buying or renting a suitable mini digger for your projects. Feel free to message us.
