Cooling System Tips

How to Maintain Your Equipment’s Cooling System
 
The cooling system in your equipment is necessary to keep it from overheating, which will lead to serious damage and costly downtime. If that system is not maintained properly, then it has to work even harder to keep your engine cool in hot summer weather. In order to properly cool your machine and keep the engine operating as efficiently as possible, you have to take several steps to maintain the cooling system and ensure it's working at its best.
 
Regularly check cooling fans
 
Cooling fans help remove excess heat from the engine. Cracked, scratched, or otherwise damaged blades will cause the fan to not be balanced correctly, leading to vibrations that can result in harming internal components. Additionally, do not let debris build up around the fan, as this can cause it to blow a fuse. To avoid costly repairs and unnecessary downtime, always inspect cooling fan blades for cracks, nicks, debris build up, or any other visible signs of damage at regular intervals.
 
Quickly replace damaged hoses and clamps 
 
Hose to neck seals can wear out at a fast rate because hoses and clamps expand and contract as the temperature in your equipment's cooling system rises and falls. Worn seals will eventually fail, potentially leading to costly damage and repairs, which means it's critical to inspect all hoses and lines for cracks, leaks, or excessive softness or hardness. As a general rule of thumb, hoses should be removed and replaced every two years, or at the intervals recommended by your manufacturer.
 
Perform routine coolant analysis
 
Regular fluid analysis will help you identify problems before they become major issues. Half of all water pump failures are caused by a concentration of antifreeze that is too high for the cooling system and could have been avoided with coolant analysis. The best way to prevent this type of failure is to send a sample of your coolant to a professional lab for analysis.
 
Keep the radiator clean
 
Dirt, dust, and other debris can build up on your machine's radiator, reducing airflow, impeding heat transfer, and causing higher operating temperatures. This increase in temperature can result in your engine overheating and shutting down. Power washing the radiator and cooler should be done every few days, especially during hot weather, to prevent downtime and damage.
 
If you have any questions about your equipment cooling system, contact our team today!