Cold weather prep for compact utility loaders

BY DAN ROBERTS

For many contractors, winter is one of the most challenging seasons. Dropping temperatures, frozen ground, plus snow and ice cover all translate to extra steps on the job site. Compact Utility

Loaders (CULs) are versatile machines increasingly found on many job sites, and when equipped with the right attachments, CULs can be particularly useful in the winter.

CULs can use blades and buckets to quickly remove snow or easily spread salt, and the machines’ maneuverability and compact size prove particularly helpful for these applications.

However, cold weather can cause issues with starting equipment, machine performance, and more. But, with a little bit of know-how, many of these potential problems can be avoided.

Start wellWhen starting an engine in cold conditions, running at mid-throttle for two to five minutes before increasing to high throttle can be helpful. If the outdoor temperature is below freezing and there is access to a garage or other building, store the machine there to keep it warmer and aid in starting. Never run an engine in an enclosed area.

Run at the right speed When a hydraulic system is cold – meaning the air temperature is at or below freezing – running the engine at high speeds could damage the hydraulic system.

Use the correct fuel Using an improper fuel grade in the machine may result in engine failure, or the engine may start but not continue running. Using clean, fresh (within 180 days of purchase) diesel and biodiesel fuel is important for optimal performance. Most machines also benefit from ultra-low sulfur content and cetane ratings of 50 and higher. Around mid-September, winter-blend gasoline and diesel fuels are delivered to fuel stations. When temperatures reach around 32 degrees Fahrenheit and colder, diesel fuel is susceptible to gel. Additionally, there are options for fuel additives for diesel fuel to lower the fuel gel point and raise the cetane to improve the ignition point for enhanced cold starting. At lower temperatures, winter-grade fuel provides a lower flash point and cold flow characteristics which aid in starting and reduce filter plugging.

Protect your charge Keeping the CUL’s battery fully charged is especially important to prevent battery damage when the temperature is below freezing. It’s also recommended to ensure the charger doesn’t get wet and keep it protected from rain and snow. With lithium-ion batteries, electric machines can discharge at a quicker rate in temperatures around 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and it can lower the runtime. Additionally, there are temperature sensors in electric CULs that may prevent the motor from starting until the temperature is above the threshold or above 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

Become familiar with all controls By understanding the controls before starting the machine, operator errors are minimized – as is time spent in the cold.

DAN ROBERTS is

a senior technical representative with Toro.

Bobcat’s ultra-durable snowblower attachment makes quick work of winter drifts. With an increased intake height and bigger auger to draw more snow into the blower, operators can clear snow quickly.

Equipped with nine different width options and numerous motor packages, the Bobcat snowblower attachments can be matched to the carrier and the application – from wide-open sites like driveways and parking lots, to narrow spaces like sidewalks.

The snowblower features an ultra-durable direct-drive, sprocket-style chute rotation, which improves the performance, durability, and ease of maintenance. It enables operators to point snow in virtually any direction and place it wherever the job requires – even in hard-to-reach places such as the middle of lawns, in ditches, or inside wooded areas along a path. It is powerful enough to break through ice buildup and eliminates chains, which can rust, loosen, or break. The chute delivers 270 degrees of rotation for a wide range of accurate snow placement possibility, which is a 15-degree increase over previous designs.

The chute’s rounded intake provides a smoother surface to roll the snow into the feed impeller, rather than pushing it. This design minimizes clogging and reduces resistance for improved snow flow through the attachment and better productivity. The optional truck-loading chute allows the operator to place snow high into a truck and simplify hauling. High-flow models capture extra available hydraulic horsepower from the carrier, which enables clearing through the deepest drifts and heaviest snow while throwing it farther.

Easily adjustable skid shoes are mounted to the sides of the snowblower, allowing operators to raise or lower the clearing depth to match the surface of the job site. They not only make it easy to maintain ground alignment, but they can also help guide operators along curbs or walls – while preventing contact with the snowblower itself.

Hilltip’s SweepAway rotary brooms for use on pickups, tractors, and other equipment are available in 59- to 86-inch widths and feature a 20-inch-diameter brush for high performance in a variety of applications including snow removal.

The SweepAway rotary brooms mount on pickups using

Hilltip’s Quick Hitch mounting frame. They can also be used on tractors with the company’s STR and VTR mounting frames. Other mounting frames are available for attaching to different types of equipment, such as loaders or forklifts. The mounts allow the brooms to be angled up to 25 degrees for controlling the direction of swept material.

The brooms require a hydraulic system with a minimum flow of 11 gpm. If the vehicle does not meet the hydraulic system requirements, then a Hilltip Power Unit can be added.

Featuring a heavy-duty design, the power unit has a KOHLER engine that provides up to 12 gpm of hydraulic flow to operate the SweepAway rotary brooms, as well as other machines.

A variety of other options and accessories are available for the SweepAway rotary brooms, including a deflector, a sprinkler kit with a 132-gallon tank, and an electrical oil-flow valve.

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