Your portable equipment is built to work in high ambient temperatures and highly demanding environments. Even so, the rising temperatures, humidity and dust levels of Summertime can cause problems. Here are some tips for keeping your generator up and running in top form.
1 . Check Fuel Filtration Status
Have you replaced the fuel filters and drained the fuel water separator? High temperatures and humidity cause condensation to form in the fuel system – and this water can affect performance, even causing fuel system failures.
2. Inspect Air Filter
High temperatures and dust go hand-in-hand! Even though our air filters are heavy-duty, extremely dusty conditions will quickly oversaturate the filter’s air intake and stop your production. So, be sure to replace the filter elements and the safety cartridge on time or as you prepare for high ambient temperatures.
3. Use the right Engine Oil
High temperatures reduce the oil’s viscosity, and, in some circumstances, the oil can prematurely age, which can cause poor lubrication leading to possible failures. Use the right, performant oil that is capable of coping with high temperatures.
4. Check Engine Belts
Fan belts can be over-worked and snap during this season, causing an unexpected shutdown. Because belts are preventive maintenance items, it’s always smart to have one more in stock to safeguard your machine’s uptime.
5. Check Engine Coolant level
Many summertime failures in construction and industry equipment are related to the cooling system. To keep your engine cooled during the hot season, check the coolant level regularly as well as the condition of the coolant. Even a small amount of water or other coolant can affect the cooling performance dramatically, even causing a failure within the system.
6. Prevent potential exhaust manifold and muffler hazards
by cleaning the exhaust muffler compartment regularly and keeping it free of external objects.
7. Prevent a start failure by inspecting the batteries
High temperatures cause electrolytes to evaporate more quickly, accelerating chemical depletion and possibly causing battery failure. So, inspect the electrolyte level, and take the time to check the battery terminals, which might require some cleaning or re-tightening.
8. Keep your Engine and Alternator vibration damper in good condition
High temperatures can accelerate the aging of vibration dampers – and the increased vibrations can cause excessive vibration or even cause other failures. So, check the condition of your vibration damper in hot weather.
9. Maintain the highest cooling and engine performance
During a machine’s lifecycle, radiators and intercoolers accumulate debris, dust, oil and fuel vapors. This combination clogs cooler channels, reducing the cooling performance, which can lead to an overheating shutdown. Keep your radiator clean, following the guidelines in our instruction book.
10. Protect your alternator from dust, sand and hot temperatures
They can impact the electrical insulation and cause poor cooling performance. What to do? Clean the alternator by blowing pressurized air to remove dust or debris. And before starting the machine, measure the electrical insulation and adjust if necessary.
11. Avoid hose leaks or spillages
Rubber hoses have a lifespan and when this is reached, the condition of the material deteriorates rapidly, especially in very hot temperatures. The result: potential leaks or even ruptures in the hose. To avoid breakdowns, conduct a detailed visual inspection of your hoses, and replace them, if necessary.
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