In construction and related industries, work crews are often under pressure to get more done in less time to keep up with demand. While there are many ways to increase cycle times and ramp up productivity, operating equipment before it’s properly warmed up is never the answer. Jumping the gun on warm-up times might save you a few minutes in the short-term, but there’s a greater chance it’ll cost you far more in the end.
The cooling system in Cat® equipment is designed to keep the engine and hydraulic systems from overheating once they reach a designated temperature. Upon start-up, it’s essential to wait until the on-board display light comes on to indicate it’s safe to begin full operation. If you start too soon, you’re risking damage to critical systems and unsafe operation.
To ensure you and your employees follow correct start-up procedures to protect and extend the service life of your equipment, we’ve put together this short informational video demonstrating the appropriate warm-up procedures.
Video Transcript
Hey, I’m Colin and this is today’s Quick Tip.
Today I am going to show you how to warm up your Cat Mini Hydraulic Excavator.
In the previous video, we talked about all of the steps to take before you start your machine.
Now that the machine is started, lower the engine speed control to the low idle setting to allow the engine to warm up.
Check your monitoring panel to ensure all systems are working properly.
Next, lower the hydraulic control console to activate the hydraulic control system.
Now you should engage and disengage the work tool controls with the engine at low idle, medium idle, and high idle.
It’s also recommended to cycle the hydraulic system before use.
Run the boom, bucket, stick, and blade through a complete system to ensure everything is working as it should.
Now you are ready to get to work knowing that the machine is warmed up and ready go.
As always, consult your operation and maintenance manual for more information.
That was today’s Quick Tip, thanks for watching.
Why You Should Wait for Cold Equipment to Warm Up When Starting
No matter the type of weather or how rigorous the application, it’s always wise to give equipment time to warm up. In fact, once you start the equipment, there are many things you can do to occupy your time until the indicator display comes on. From checking in-cab monitors and controls to confirm they’re operational to running the hydraulic system through its paces, your equipment will be ready to roll before you know it.
Engine oil is the lifeblood of your equipment. If it’s too cold (or thick) to flow through the system, you’re running the risk of damage to parts and components due to lack of lubrication. That’s why the video instructs you to set the idle to low to let the oil warm up and flow throughout the entire engine. Cycling through the hydraulic system not only helps warm up that system, but it also reveals any potential problems before the hydraulics are burdened with a heavy load that can cause more extensive damage.
Michigan CAT Knows How to Care for Your Equipment
As the authorized Cat dealer for the region, Michigan CAT offers a variety of solutions to help maximize the value and productivity of your fleet. From educational resources and operator training to complete parts and equipment services, we’re the one-stop shop for everything required to maintain your equipment.
Contact us today for more information on warm-up times and our full range of fleet management solutions.