The winter weather is on its way, and soon most of the country will be experiencing snow, ice and freezing temperatures. Working outdoors during this time of the year can be challenging and dangerous if certain situations arise.
At Lyon Auction, we provide quality used excavating equipment at an affordable price. We understand how important equipment and workplace safety is during the winter months, and want to do our part. Here are some safety tips to keep you and your operators safe this winter season!
Safety tips when using heavy equipment:
- Use winter fuel-grade; most equipment is filled with specific diesel fuel that can harden if it gets too cold and cause potential damages to your equipment.
- Use the correct engine oil throughout the entire winter.
- Make sure that batteries are kept at room temperature and charged. Colder weather can drain batteries much faster, which could cause unexpected delays if not planned out.
- Double check the traction of your tires. You want to make sure that your traction is good to avoid any risks while on the job.
- Stay visible. Dark, foggy, and snowy conditions can be dangerous, so it’s good to make sure you are seen by wearing bright colors.
- Stay warm by wearing layers and appropriate winter gear.
When operating large construction equipment this winter, it’s important that you are taking the proper steps in order to stay safe. You should be doing things like making sure your route is clear, slowing down, and being especially careful on ramps and bridges. You should also try to avoid touching cold metal surfaces with your bare hands, as there is a chance your skin can become injured.
Winterize your equipment
This means to make sure all of your heavy equipment is properly prepared for the snow and cold weather. The first thing you should always do is inspect your equipment. If you find any cracks, leaks, or flaws, it’s important to get them fixed immediately. Always inspect certain parts before and after every run-in with cold weather!
Another thing you should always do during the winter is to provide your equipment with a safe, enclosed storage place. This will help keep your equipment in the best possible condition, as well as prevent any issues from arising. You should also consider using block heaters to fire up your engines. Block heaters are used to increase the temperature of your engine and hydraulic fluid quickly, ultimately speeding up your warm up process and saving you time!
You have decided that this winter you are in need of new equipment, but you do not know where to shop! Look at machinery auctions for the best quality and prices. Before you attend your first auction, you should research what you want, you want to find out what it is worth and if there is anything you should know that can be detrimental to how it will perform in the future. Machinery auctions have a large variety of heavy materials so research will make finding what you want easier.
At Lyon Auction, our used excavating equipment is always inspected before auction to ensure you that you are receiving the best quality equipment! If you are interested in finding an auction near you, check out our auction calendar on our website!
