Dinolift has offered a checklist to help boom-lift owners make sure their equipment is ready to work effectively in the frigid temperatures of winter.
Maintenance: Make sure that all daily, monthly and yearly inspections are made in time.
Day-to-day checks: Proper washing and drying to ensure clean surfaces. Protect the control center and the platform from snow and ice whenever they are not in use. Always keep the lift free from dirt, snow and ice. Make sure that you always have the battery charger and engine heater cable available.
Tire pressure: Cold weather will cause tire pressure to decrease. Take care to regularly check tire pressure to ensure the best possible friction and driving conditions on different grounds.
Battery function: To ensure proper operation and long service life of the batteries, it is recommended to always recharge them at the end of each workday, especially in cold weather conditions. Storing the batteries flat will shorten their service life, and flat batteries also freeze easily.
Engine oil and winter-quality diesel fuel: In cold weather, it is recommended that the engine is kept running to keep the hydraulic oil warm. Avoid cold weather diesel problems by using winter quality diesel during the cold season.
Check diesel filter: In cold weather, it is important to check the diesel filter to make sure the paraffin present in diesel hasn’t started to form wax crystals. These wax crystals can coat the fuel filter elements quickly and thus drastically reduce fuel flow.
Lubrication of moving components: Check of hydraulic oil classification to ensure sufficient viscosity in cold conditions. As the temperature decreases, the viscosity can rapidly increase to the point where the oil will no longer flow. It is recommended that high-viscosity index oils be considered for cold temperature operation.
Winter standing and storage: If you leave the lift standing for a longer period of time, we recommend propping it up to release any load from the wheels and making sure the lift is protected from the elements.
Cold-weather start-up procedure 1. Let the power pack run for a few minutes before starting the movements. 2. To ensure proper operation of the valves, start with doing a few warm-up movements to warm the oil in the cylinders. 3. Check that the limit switches and the emergency descent devices are operational and clean. 4. Snow, sleet, rain and ice will create a slippery ground. Always ensure your base is stable before going up in a lift.
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