If you work hard then no doubt the engines on your equipment are also running hard. Most contractors are busy with work so quite often regular maintenance can be overlooked. Sure, they get fresh/clean fuel and an oil change every now and then, but for all their hard work, they deserve more.

Preventative engine maintenance helps keep downtime to a minimum, saving you time and money down the road. Some tips for preventative maintenance are below.

Often the most overlooked, daily maintenance is usually the quickest andEX21-CR easiest to perform. Most people know that checking the oil before each use is the first step to preventing serious engine problems, however, most people don’t realise that in an air-cooled engine, it isn’t just air that does the cooling. Since the engines don’t use a liquid coolant, the oil works as a cooling medium. It is for this reason that it is important to regularly check the oil.

Another important part of daily maintenance is checking the air filter. Clogged, wet or damaged filters can reduce the power of your engine and even shorten the life of it by allowing dirt and water into vulnerable areas.

The easiest step when it comes to daily maintenance is cleaning the engine. This not only helps prevent rust but also gets rid of harmful mud and dirt that clog up the engine, preventing proper air flow and in turn causes the engine to run hot. Cleaning the engine also gives you an opportunity to check for leaks and loose or damaged components.

To clean your engine, first spray with a non-petroleum based degreaser. After allowing the degreaser to start breaking down the dirt/grease, hose off (be mindful of the air-cleaner and spark plug). Once clean, dry the engine and let it run for a few minutes.

We will take a look at regular maintenance steps in our next blog post – stay tuned…