Ready for summer! And your machine… Is it truly prepared for the heat?

Understanding the Risks

Extreme heat can trigger a series of issues in machinery, affecting their operation and leading to costly breakdowns. Let’s examine some of these risks:

Engine Overheating

High temperatures can strain the cooling system. Excessive heat can push the engine to operate at dangerous temperatures, potentially resulting in severe damage.

Accelerated Wear and Tear

Extreme heat accelerates the wear of mechanical parts, electrical components, and seals, which in turn can reduce the overall equipment lifespan.

Decreased Performance

Machines may become less efficient in extreme heat, impacting productivity and increasing operational costs.

Preventive Maintenance and Cleaning

Comprehensive preventive maintenance before and during heatwaves is essential to keep the machinery in optimal condition. Here are some key measures:

• Cooling System Inspection

Always ensure that radiators, coolers and ventilation systems are clean and free from obstructions. It’s crucial that fans work properly to ensure adequate cooling.

Constant Temperature Monitoring

Implementing temperature monitoring systems can be vital to detect overheating issues in a timely manner and take preventive measures. Infrared thermometers and temperature sensors can provide real-time readings to identify potential hotspots.

Adjustment or Replacement of Components

An essential aspect of maintenance is regular inspection of the machine’s key components for signs of wear. We must replace and adjust worn-out parts to prevent unexpected breakdowns that may occur during work in extreme conditions, such as the high temperatures that some work sites can experience during the summer months.

Smart Scheduling

Planning heavy machinery operations based on weather forecasts can significantly reduce stress on the machine. Avoiding operation during the hottest hours of the day and performing the most intensive tasks in the early morning or late afternoon, when temperatures are lower, is beneficial.

Protection and Shelter

When the machines are not in use, it is advisable to keep them in shaded areas or under covers to protect them from direct sunlight. This can help reduce exposure to high temperatures and prevent damage to sensitive components, such as the electrical system, which can be vulnerable to overheating, leading to significant wear on the insulation materials of the wiring.

Operator Training

While we’ve primarily focused on machines, we cannot overlook the role of the operator. Training the operator on how to recognize signs of overheating and how to take corrective actions is essential. Operators should be attentive to warning signs and know when to stop the machine to prevent further damage.

Heat-Sensitive Components

Some components most sensitive to high temperatures in the summer are those subject to constant friction, involved in cooling processes, or containing materials that can degrade in extreme heat. For example:

• Belts

Transmission belts, like alternator belts and fan belts, are susceptible to hardening, cracking, or breaking due to excessive heat. If they’re worn out, they can result in system failures and energy loss.

• Seals and Gaskets

High temperatures can cause seals and gaskets to degrade, leading to leaks and contamination of critical fluids.

• Oils and Lubricants

If of low quality, their viscosity can be affected under extreme heat, which impacts their ability to properly lubricate and protect moving parts.

• Electrical Components

Some electrical components, such as relays, switches, cables, and connections, may experience overheating due to high temperatures, which could result in malfunction or failure.