Pit & Quarry, April 2014

WHEEL LOADERS Its critical to stick to recommended service intervals for regular service items such as fluids and filters and storage tanks to ensure a clean supply Also remember to drain water from the separator daily or immediately if a warning light signals trouble Periodically check the fuel lines for leaks Many new loaders are equipped with selective catalytic reduction SCR technology to meet Tier 4 mandates SCR is popular because it meets environmental requirements while allowing wheel loaders to perform at full capacity SCR reduces the formation of particulate matter in the combustion chamber and eliminates pollutants by treating exhaust gases with diesel exhaust fluid DEF Its a simple and easy to maintain Tier 4 solution Filters in the DEF circuit are easily accessible on most machines and come with the same maintenance schedule as engine oil DEF which is only needed in relatively small amounts is easy to locate and replenish A warning light signals when DEF is running low The DEF tank can also be refilled as part of regular maintenance when checking fluid levels or refueling With an SCR equipped wheel loader theres also no need to use anything other than standard oils and diesel Coolant maintenance BY COLIN DILLEY When someone realizes during the summer that the coolant level in a cooling system is low it may seem to make sense to add a jug of water to top off the system when the correct fluid is not available In the winter the opposite approach might be taken by adding a jug or two of antifreeze coolant AF C concentrate when freezing is the primary concern While these apparently common sense fixes may not scream bad idea at the time they can be detrimental to the health of the entire engine It is essential to stick to your usual recommended maintenance schedule and practices as winter weather puts strains on your engine Dont let summer thinking get you stuck on a winter road The functions of AF C are far more complex than simple freeze and overheating protection The newest technologies in todays AF C provide a layered approach to controlling engine temperatures as well as protecting engine components from premature damage and excessive corrosion If a cooling system is unable to satisfy the essential requirements a heavy duty engine puts on it then that vehicles horsepower fuel efficiency emissions and overall durability may be compromised So selecting the highest quality AF C products and replenishing at the recommended interval will ensure operating efficiency and optimal performance Controlling as many variables and keeping trucks on the road directly affect the bottom line of any operation These are some of the highest priorities for fleet managers The primary functions of heavy duty AF C are these Providing efficient heat transfer transporting engine heat to control critical metal temperatures Maintaining an optimum engine temperature for fuel and lubrication efficiency Increasing the cooling index to help prevent boilover and overheating failure Providing freezing protection to the very lowest temperature encountered Providing effective corrosion protection or corrosion inhibition for all cooling system metals through a wide range of temperatures Information is courtesy of the Prestone Command Technology Center Dont overlook the basics Despite a steady stream of advances found on newer wheel loaders pit and quarry operations cant lose sight of basic maintenance best practices Every maintenance technician knows filters and fluids need to be changed at the recommended intervals but it 18 PIT QUARRY April 2014 www pitandquarry com