Preventive maintenance is routine/scheduled maintenance of machines done “to keep them running reliably to prevent premature costly unplanned downtime, Regardless of the type of preventive maintenance program or machine, the desired result is improved safety and less downtime, plus the prevention of unnecessary costs.
When to Schedule Preventative Maintenance
It is imperative to have preventive maintenance schedules for backhoes to keep them well-maintained. When parts are checked regularly, issues can be identified and scheduled to be corrected before they result in unexpected repairs, downtime, and costs.
Types of Preventative Maintenance
Backhoe preventive maintenance can be based on many parameters, such as the calendar, runtime, and predictive.
Calendar-based would include things on the “daily” or “weekly” checklist. Some of these items can be managed by an hours-based approach also. Like “daily or every 10 hours” and “weekly or every 50 hours.” Examples of this would include joint greasing, air filter checking, fluid level checks, tire pressure, water-in-fuel bowl drain, etc.
Runtime-based maintenance usually is more than simply checking and doing a quick job if needed. This would include more involved service work like engine oil and filter change, transmission oil and filter change, fuel filter replacement, and hydraulic system oil and filter change. It also includes oil sampling from critical components like the engine, transmissions, and hydraulic systems. Runtime-based preventive maintenance should be followed as presented in the operator’s manual of the machine.
Make Recordkeeping a Top Maintenance Priority
Good recordkeeping and proper documentation are essential aspects of backhoe maintenance, a philosophy shared by each backhoe OEM.
This helps ensure that all preventive maintenance activities are done in the time frame they are meant to be done and that the machine will continue to work as intended.
What’s more, record keeping and documentation “ensure preventive maintenance is done on time, which is especially important for critical systems like the engine, transmission, and hydraulics. It also assists with predicting machine issues that are developing. For example, when oil samples are done as required, it can help determine if a problem is coming with a component.”
Record keeping and documentation can help support warranty-related repairs. It is also very valuable when it comes time to sell or trade in a machine, as it adds value.
Read the Manual, Stickers and Warning Labels
Backhoe manufacturers recommend that maintenance personnel always refer to the backhoe owner’s manual to familiarize themselves with all the manufacturer-recommended maintenance procedures and intervals.
It Starts with the Backhoe Operator
The operator should know that particular machine fully to understand what to check, and more importantly, be able to identify when something doesn’t look right or might need attention based on the inspection. Also, it is about having and understanding the maintenance interval schedule for their machine and following that schedule as closely as possible.
Do Not Skip Daily Walk arounds
Every time an inspection is done, the operator should start in the same spot and complete the inspection around the machine ending where they started, he recommends. This routine makes it easier to spot what is normal vs. abnormal and makes sure nothing gets missed.
When performing the walk-around, visually inspect the machine’s appearance and look for damage, check fluid levels and look for leaks, and take a close look at worn items that could prevent the machine from efficiently doing its job. Key inspection points will vary between machine forms, but the concept is the same.
The below checklist for your reference
- Check all tire pressures.
- Check all fluid levels including engine oil, hydraulic oil, fuel, and coolant.
- Check all filters including air intake and cab filter.
- Inspect all structural components such as loader arms for any stress fractures or weldment failures.
- Ensure cab doors and seatbelt are in good working order.
- In addition, it is important that all operators verify the backhoe’s safety features are working prior to operation and that all the controls are clearly labeled.
End of Workday Tasks
It is crucial for backhoe operators to perform a walk-around at the end of the workday as well, because machine condition at the beginning of the day is usually not the same as at the end of the day. Machine damage may have occurred, fluid levels may have changed, and other parts of the machine may have additional wear and fatigue.
At the end of the day, operators should also make sure that the work tool, such as bucket teeth, are intact and not dull,” adds John Deere’s Steger. “For auxiliary attachments, make sure that pressures and flows are set correctly to avoid damage to the attachment or machine.
