Heavy Equipment Cleaning Guide
Heavy equipment, such as the types of machines that you use in construction or on a farm, is useful to have around, but it needs to be regularly maintained in order to serve you well. One of the ways that you can keep your heavy equipment in good working condition is to keep it clean! Clean equipment looks better, is nicer to operate, gives a more professional appearance to your business and, most importantly, it is easier to maintain because you can see problems that need addressing.
So how do you clean heavy equipment? Bobcat of York, Frederick, Hagerstown, Lancaster and Adams County, owned by Crownstone Equipment, is your Maryland and Pennsylvania heavy equipment dealer. Read on to learn how you can get your heavy equipment clean and ready for work.
Benefits of Having Clean Equipment
As we noted above, there are many benefits to regularly cleaning your heavy equipment. For one thing, if you own a business, you’ll look more professional and above-board if you come onto a worksite with clean and well-maintained equipment. For another, clean equipment is just nicer to use and isn’t as likely to have stuck parts or dull edges, so it’s easier to use. It’s also much easier to maintain clean equipment because you’ll be able to spot anything that needs fixing when your equipment is clean. This helps to reduce the amount of time you might otherwise spend in a repair shop. So you can improve your efficiency and your image, as well as lower your maintenance costs with clean heavy equipment.
Getting Ready To Clean
You’ll want to suit yourself up with safety gear to clean equipment, which may include full-length coveralls, sturdy footwear with good treads that won’t slip on water and thick gloves to keep your hands clean and abrasion-free. You should also invest in eye and face protection in order to stay safe.
Gather up your washing supplies near where you’ve parked your heavy equipment. A pressure washer or a water cannon is your best bet for getting your equipment thoroughly soaked for scrubbing and rinsed once you’ve done everything else. Degreasing solutions help to break up oil, grime, clay and grease. Check your owner’s manual to see what specific products are recommended.
Tips & Tricks
Start your cleaning by using a shovel or prying bar to remove large chunks of mud and other debris, especially on the undercarriage. Use caution so that you don’t damage your machine. Next, you’ll want to pressure wash your entire machine to soften up leftover dirt and grease. Use your degreaser sparingly so that you aren’t getting your equipment too slick with detergent. Focus on the engine compartments and radiators and other greasy areas. You may need a scrub-brush to do some detail cleaning in tight crevices, too. You can then rinse with your pressure washer or water cannon.
To clean the interior, avoid blasting it with water! Use paper towels and spray solutions instead, along with a vacuum cleaner and some rags for the floor. Pay special attention to the dashboard and controls and try not to get them too wet. You can let your piece of equipment air-dry now and admire your results!
If you discover while cleaning that your heavy equipment requires some professional maintenance, don’t hesitate to contact our service department. We can set you up with an appointment so that our team of mechanics can get you all sorted out.
Looking to buy some heavy equipment instead? Visit one of our four locations in Maryland or Pennsylvania to take a look at our fine selection of new and used heavy equipment for sale. You can also talk to our staff about our price quotes and financing options for your heavy equipment purchase. We are proud to serve the greater Baltimore, MD, and Lancaster, PA.