A skid steer doesn't always get much of an offseason.
When landscaping, excavation, and construction work begin to slow down, snow removal, material handling, and winter projects often take over. That means a machine that worked hard all summer may head straight into freezing temperatures without much of a break.
That's exactly why fall is a smart time to give your skid steer or compact track loader a thorough inspection.
Catching a worn hydraulic hose, weak battery, damaged tire, or restricted filter now is much easier than dealing with a breakdown when the machine is sitting outside in freezing temperatures.
Whether you operate your skid steer every day or only use it occasionally around the property, here are 10 areas worth adding to your skid steer maintenance checklist before winter arrives.
1. Check the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
Start with one of the most basic maintenance items: engine oil.
Check the oil level and condition and compare the machine's current hours with the manufacturer's recommended service interval.
If an oil change is coming due soon, completing it before winter may make more sense than waiting until the middle of snow season.
Cold temperatures can make engine oil thicker, which can make cold starts more difficult. Always use the oil type and viscosity recommended by the equipment or engine manufacturer for the temperatures in which you'll be operating.
Don't forget the oil filter either. If you're changing the oil, replace the filter according to the manufacturer's maintenance schedule.
2. Inspect the Engine Air Filter
Skid steers frequently operate in dusty, dirty environments.
Construction sites, farms, gravel lots, landscaping jobs, demolition work, and dry summer conditions can all expose the machine to large amounts of airborne debris.
Inspect the engine air filter according to the manufacturer's recommendations and replace it when necessary.
A restricted air filter can negatively affect engine performance and should not be ignored simply because the machine still runs.
Reliable Aftermarket Parts carries replacement filtration components for many popular machines. For example, our 231-8132 replacement air filter element is designed for compatible Caterpillar skid steer applications.
Always verify your machine model and original part number before ordering.
3. Inspect the Fuel Filter and Water Separator
Your diesel fuel system needs clean fuel, and winter can make existing fuel problems more noticeable.
Water contamination is particularly troublesome because moisture can freeze as temperatures drop.
If your machine has a water separator, inspect and service it according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Check the fuel filter as well.
A partially restricted filter may allow the skid steer to operate normally during lighter use but cause power or starting problems when conditions change.
If the filter is already near its scheduled replacement interval, replacing it before winter can help eliminate one potential source of downtime.
4. Check the Hydraulic System for Leaks
The hydraulic system is one of the hardest-working systems on a skid steer.
Your loader arms, bucket, auxiliary attachments, and many other functions rely on hydraulic pressure.
Before winter, inspect the machine for signs of hydraulic leakage.
Pay attention to:
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Hydraulic hoses
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Fittings
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Cylinders
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Quick couplers
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Hose coverings
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Areas where hoses rub against the machine
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Wet or oily areas around hydraulic components
A hose doesn't necessarily need to be pouring fluid to deserve attention. Cracking, abrasion, exposed reinforcement, or a wet fitting may indicate a developing problem.
Also check hydraulic fluid levels using the procedure specified for your machine.
A minor leak that's manageable in October can turn into a major problem after weeks of hard winter operation.
5. Inspect the Tires
If you operate a wheeled skid steer, check all four tires carefully.
Look for cuts, chunks, punctures, sidewall damage, uneven wear, and other signs of deterioration.
Check tire pressure as well.
As outside temperatures drop, tire pressure can decrease. A tire that was already slightly underinflated may become noticeably low once colder weather arrives.
Proper tire condition is especially important if the machine will be used for snow removal, where traction is already limited.
Don't forget to inspect the wheels and lug hardware while you're there.
6. Inspect Tracks and Undercarriage Components
Compact track loader owners have a different set of maintenance concerns.
Inspect the tracks for cuts, missing material, uneven wear, and proper tension according to the manufacturer's specifications.
Then inspect the undercarriage.
Pay attention to rollers, idlers, sprockets, and other wear components.
Clean accumulated dirt, mud, rocks, and debris from the undercarriage. Material left packed around these components can freeze overnight and create problems the next time you attempt to move the machine.
Winter is hard enough on an undercarriage without frozen debris adding to the problem.
7. Test the Battery and Inspect Electrical Connections
A weak battery may continue starting a skid steer throughout summer and then fail on the first truly cold morning.
Before winter, inspect the battery terminals and cables.
Make sure connections are clean and tight and look for corrosion or damaged wiring.
Pay attention to how quickly the engine cranks.
If the skid steer has been turning over more slowly than it used to, don't ignore it simply because the engine eventually starts.
Cold weather places additional demand on the starting system, making fall a good time to address questionable batteries or connections.
8. Inspect the Cooling System
It might sound strange to worry about the cooling system heading into winter, but engine coolant also provides freeze protection.
Check the coolant level and condition and make sure the coolant mixture provides appropriate protection for your climate.
Inspect:
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Radiator hoses
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Clamps
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Radiator
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Coolant reservoir
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Connections
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Areas showing signs of leakage
Also clean dirt and debris from the cooling package according to the manufacturer's recommended procedure.
Skid steers often collect debris around radiators and coolers because of the environments in which they operate.
Cooling-system maintenance isn't just a summer job.
9. Check Belts, Lights, Wipers, and the Cab
Winter operation often means working in darkness, blowing snow, and poor visibility.
Test your work lights, warning lights, and other exterior lighting before you actually need them.
If your machine has an enclosed cab, check the heater, blower motor, windshield wipers, and washer system.
Then inspect the engine belts.
Look for:
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Cracking
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Fraying
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Glazing
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Missing material
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Excessive wear
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Incorrect tension
Inspect accessible rubber hoses at the same time.
Replacing a worn belt inside a heated shop is considerably easier than dealing with a broken one in the middle of a snow-removal job.
10. Don't Forget Your Attachments
It's easy to spend all your maintenance time on the skid steer itself and forget about the equipment attached to it.
Before winter, inspect the attachments you expect to use.
That could include:
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Snow pushers
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Snow plows
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Buckets
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Grapples
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Hydraulic attachments
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Augers
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Brooms
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Pallet forks
Look for worn cutting edges, cracked welds, damaged hoses, leaking fittings, loose hardware, and worn attachment points.
If an attachment has been sitting unused since last winter, inspect it before the first storm rather than assuming it's ready to work.
Keep Common Maintenance Parts on Hand
If your skid steer is essential to your business or property, consider keeping commonly replaced maintenance parts on hand.
Filters, belts, and other routine service items don't take up much room on a shelf, but having the right replacement available can save valuable time when a machine needs attention.
Complete maintenance kits can also simplify the process by grouping several application-specific filters together.
For example, Reliable Aftermarket Parts offers a filter maintenance kit for Bobcat T180, T190, S160, S185, and S205 skid steer loaders.
Always compare the listed fitment and part numbers with your specific machine before ordering.
Find the Right Skid Steer Replacement Parts
Skid steer parts can vary between machines that look almost identical from the outside.
Model year, serial number, engine configuration, and equipment options can all affect which replacement component fits your machine.
Whenever possible, locate the original manufacturer part number before ordering.
Reliable Aftermarket Parts carries a broad selection of Construction replacement parts for skid steers, compact track loaders, excavators, backhoes, loaders, and other heavy equipment.
You can also search your OEM part number directly at Reliable Aftermarket Parts to help narrow down compatible replacements.
The best winter repair is the one you catch before winter.
Spend some time inspecting your machine now, make a list of anything questionable, and handle overdue maintenance before freezing temperatures and snow put both you and your equipment to work.