As fall approaches, the changing weather conditions bring new challenges to construction projects. Shorter daylight hours and cooler temperatures can impact both safety and productivity on the job or building site. Preparing your construction equipment for the fall season is essential to ensure smooth operations and avoid costly downtime.
At RPM Machinery, we’re here to support and help you navigate these changes with top-notch equipment upgrades and other services. Whether you need better visibility, improved climate control, or enhanced safety features, our company has got you covered.
Here are five essential upgrades to consider making to your construction equipment this fall.
1. Visibility and Lighting Upgrades
With fall comes shorter daylight hours, posing a significant challenge for construction projects. Limited visibility can lead to safety hazards, delays, and decreased productivity. Upgrading your construction equipment’s lighting and visibility systems is vital to ensure safe and efficient operation throughout the fall season.
Here are some ways RPM Machinery can help you increase your lighting capabilities:
LED Work Lights
Replacing traditional halogen work lights with energy-efficient LEDs can make a substantial difference. LEDs offer superior brightness, improved durability, and a wider beam pattern, effectively illuminating your work area. LED work light not only enhances visibility but also reduces energy consumption and maintenance costs.
Rotating Beacons
Installing rotating beacons on your equipment increases its visibility from all angles. Visibility is particularly important in low-light conditions and when operating near roadways. Rotating beacons ensure that your equipment is easily seen by other workers and vehicles, significantly reducing the risk of accidents.
Reflective Decals
Applying high-quality reflective decals to parts of your equipment can enhance visibility during nighttime and low-light situations. These decals make your machinery more noticeable to workers and pedestrians, improving overall safety on the job site.
Camera Systems for Blind Spot Monitoring
Also, consider incorporating camera systems for advanced blind spot monitoring. These systems provide operators with a clear view of areas not easily visible from the cabin, minimizing safety risks. Enhanced blind spot monitoring can lead to smoother operations and increased confidence among your equipment operators.
2. Climate Control Upgrades
As we start to shift closer to the autumn months, construction equipment faces a brand new challenge – colder mornings and fluctuating temperatures.
Cold weather can make starting engines difficult and reduce their overall efficiency. Upgrading your climate control systems ensures your equipment starts reliably and keeps users comfortable throughout the fall season.
Consider these impactful upgrades:
Engine Block Heaters
Engine block heaters plug into an external power source and circulate warm coolant throughout the engine block. This preheats the engine oil and internal components, making starting easier and reducing wear and tear during cold starts. An engine block heater can significantly enhance the performance and longevity of your equipment.
Battery Blankets
Battery blankets wrap around your equipment’s batteries, providing low-level heat. The warmth these blankets provide helps maintain battery capacity and cranking power in cold weather, preventing sluggish starts. With battery blankets, you can ensure your equipment remains operational even on the chilliest mornings.
Cold-Weather Starting Aids
Adding cold-weather starting aids like ether or glow plugs to your equipment can provide your machine with an extra boost of heat or ignition assistance for particularly cold mornings. These aids can be crucial for ensuring that your machinery starts smoothly and efficiently, minimizing delays on the job site.
Cabin Heater Upgrades & Maintenance
Cold cabins can lead to discomfort, fatigue, and decreased productivity among operators. Ensuring your existing cabin heater is properly serviced and functioning efficiently is key. Heater system maintenance should include replacing worn-out components such as the air filter and thermostats.
You might also consider upgrading to a more powerful cabin heater model for improved heating capacity, especially for equipment operating in very cold environments.
3. Tire and Track Upgrades
With fall’s arrival, changing weather conditions also can significantly impact tire performance and lead to uneven wear. Frequent rain and dropping temperatures can compromise traction and increase the risk of accidents.
Upgrading your equipment with the right tire and track options ensures optimal performance and safety, keeping your projects on track. The experts at RPM Machinery recommend the following upgrades be applied to lift your equipment to new heights.
All-Season or Winter Tires
Consider switching to all-season or dedicated winter tires for your construction equipment. Standard tires can lose their grip on wet, icy, or snow-covered roads, whereas these tires are designed with deeper treads and softer rubber compounds, providing improved traction on hazardous surfaces. Better traction means safer operations and reduced downtime due to weather-related issues.
Dangerous weather-related road conditions also can lead to uneven and premature wear on your tires. Lengthen the lifespan and overall performance of your tires with specialized all-season tires.
Track Upgrades
For equipment like skid steers or excavators that operate in muddy or snowy environments, upgrading to tracks with deeper lugs or aggressive tread patterns can be beneficial. These tracks offer superior grip and performance in challenging conditions, ensuring your machinery remains operational and efficient. We recommend purchasing tracks, rather than relying on a rental each season, so the equipment is always on hand when you need it most.
Addressing these issues with appropriate tire and track upgrades can enhance safety and extend the life of your equipment’s components.
4. Fluid and Filter Changes
It’s important to use seasonal fluids and perform proper filter changes to keep your equipment running smoothly, especially when the temperatures start to cool. Extreme or decreasing temperatures can affect the performance of your equipment’s fluids, making it essential to switch to formulations designed for fall and winter conditions.
Here are some fluids and filters to pay special attention to as summer comes to a close:
- Engine Oil and Coolant: Regular engine oil and coolant changes are vital for maintaining the health of your construction equipment. During fall, using seasonal oil and coolant formulations ensures proper lubrication and efficient heat transfer, preventing components from thickening or freezing. This upgrade can enhance your equipment’s performance and reliability.
- Hydraulic Fluid: Hydraulic systems play a critical role in many construction functions. Fall weather can impact hydraulic fluid viscosity, leading to sluggish operation or decreased power. Switching to seasonal hydraulic fluid formulated for colder temperatures ensures optimal system performance throughout the season.
- Oil Filters: Regular oil filter changes are essential for removing contaminants from engine oil. In fall, this becomes even more important as contaminants can thicken the oil and hinder its flow in cold weather. Keeping your oil filters clean ensures your engine runs smoothly and efficiently.
- Air Filters: Clogged air filters restrict airflow to the engine, reducing power and fuel efficiency. Fall weather often brings increased dust and debris, so changing air filters before the season helps maintain optimal engine performance. Clean air filters are key to keeping your equipment running at peak efficiency.
RPM Machinery Maintenance Packages
At RPM Machinery, we understand the importance of proper maintenance for your construction equipment. We offer various maintenance packages that include seasonal fluid changes and filter replacements, ensuring your every piece of equipment is prepped for the fall season and operating at its best.
5. Safety Feature Upgrades
Ensuring all safety features are functioning properly is paramount year-round, but it becomes even more critical as weather conditions change and new hazards emerge. Fall is the perfect time to inspect and upgrade the safety features of your construction equipment.
Performing regular inspections of all safety features on your construction equipment can help point out any issues early and ensure that all safety features are in optimal working condition. Check the following safety items:
- Backup alarms
- Lighting systems
- Emergency shut-off switches
- Other safety mechanisms specific to your machinery
Additionally, don’t neglect routine maintenance of safety features. For instance, you should lubricate backup alarm system components or replace worn-out decals to ensure they function effectively. Regular maintenance keeps your safety features in top condition, enhancing their reliability and effectiveness when needed most.
Once you’ve inspected and serviced your equipment, here are some safety features to consider upgrading:
Backup Alarms
Upgrading to louder or multi-toned backup alarm systems can enhance safety, especially in environments with increased ambient noise in the fall, such as a leaf blower motor. Effective backup alarms ensure that everyone on the job site is aware of moving equipment, reducing the risk of accidents.
Fire Suppression Systems
For equipment prone to overheating or operating in hazardous environments, consider installing fire suppression systems. These systems can automatically detect and extinguish fires, preventing major damage and protecting operators. Fire suppression systems provide an additional layer of safety and peace of mind.
At RPM Machinery, safety is our company’s top priority. We offer comprehensive safety inspection services to ensure your construction equipment meets all regulatory standards and operates with optimal safety features. Our team can also advise you on the latest safety upgrades available for your specific equipment, helping you maintain a safe and efficient job site.
Contact RPM Machinery for Professional CASE Equipment Upgrades
Preparing your construction equipment for the fall season is essential for maintaining productivity and safety on the job site. Upgrading visibility and lighting systems, enhancing climate control, improving tire and track performance, using seasonal fluids and filters, and ensuring all safety features are functioning properly can make a significant difference. These equipment upgrades help you navigate the challenges of shorter daylight hours, colder temperatures, and changing weather conditions, keeping your projects on schedule and your team safe. No matter what upgrades your equipment requires, RPM Machinery is here to assist. We’re dedicated to supporting your equipment needs with top-quality upgrades, modifications, and maintenance services. Contact us today to schedule service for your construction equipment and learn how we can help you stay ahead this fall.
