Extreme temperatures can easily harm your equipment, and more often than not, industrial-grade and heavy equipment regularly need to withstand extreme temperatures. That’s why you’ll want the right features and maintenance to be kept up-to-date on your equipment to prevent problems like downtime, health hazards, and costly repairs.

If you are getting equipment for an industrial facility, you must address the interior ventilation of said machine. Even if you have a full-fledged HVAC system, you must ensure your heavy machinery has local ventilation. These machines should have their own ventilation unit as machines that give off excess heat or steam can affect nearby workers. A local infrastructure in this equipment can prevent heat radiation.

If your machinery goes through frigid conditions, it can be dangerous for anyone working in your facility. They can easily slip and fall due to the frost, and the cold can damage the equipment as well. However, a traction control system can help you prevent such troubles. You should also install ice spikes, or ice cleats, on your equipment. These tools help to enhance stability and grip.

When selecting industry equipment for high temperatures, you should choose engine oils with high viscosity index. Engine oil lessens friction; moreover, it transfers heat, neutralizes acids, and protects against corrosion. Extreme heat can cause many negative effects as the oil becomes thinner in extreme heat. This kind of wear makes your equipment hotter and can cause catastrophic damage.

Additionally, oil becomes thicker in extreme cold, and as a result, it makes pumping difficult within the whole system. This can cause excessive strain on the components, causing your equipment to clog or connections to break under the pressure. Only high-quality engine oil with a high viscosity index can help your equipment withstand extreme cold and hot conditions.

For smoother operations of your heavy machinery, you need proper lubricants. Equipment that can be used with multi-viscosity oils performs well in extreme temperature conditions. Lubricants not designed for the temperature conditions of your work could freeze and lock up the machine, separate and evaporate, or chemically react and increase friction between joints.

When powering your equipment, you want a steady power supply that you can count on. Lithium batteries are great for industrial applications. These batteries help equipment lift heavy loads. Consider a lithium-ion battery for industrial equipment for its long lifespan at about 5000 cycles at 80% depth of discharge without a performance drop.

This kind of battery has more longevity than a lead-acid battery that can last only 2 years. On the other hand, lithium batteries last about 10 to 15 years. They don’t require frequent repairs as well. Lithium batteries are a blessing for those where extreme temperatures are a concern. They can operate in a wide range of temperatures which lead-acid batteries cannot.

Now you know what features need to be in your equipment. It is time for you to understand how you can keep your equipment safe in extreme temperatures. Here are some exclusive tips:

Tips To Keep Your Equipment Safe During Cold Weather

When the temperature drops or soars, you must take some essential measures to keep your machinery in good condition. These steps can save you from costly repairs and malfunctions.

1. Prevent Fuel Turning Into Gel

When the temperature gets below 40 degrees, diesel fuel starts to gel. Then the fuel loses the viscosity it should have. Eventually, it makes powering difficult. To prevent this from happening, you should buy high-quality diesel fuel — typically those that are available in truck stores.

You can also try to maintain a temperature of over 40-degree indoors or buy an engine block heater. This device connects a consistent heat source to the machines plus addresses the fuel viscosity issue. Before winter, you can mix anti-gel additives into your fuel supply.

How you store your fuel and other fluids is also important. Select a warm area to keep your fuel filters, additives, and additional fuel. The last option to stop fuel from becoming gel is to replace your current oil with a low viscosity oil.

2. Keep Batteries In The Best Shape

Routine battery inspections and maintenance are necessary during cold weather. Make sure the terminals are tight and corrosion-free. Apply dielectric grease to improve battery condition. Do not let your battery freeze in the cold. Use battery blankets when you keep batteries outdoors.

3. Don’t Let The Sun Damage Equipment

Keep your heavy equipment safe from the scorching summer sun. Rubber, electronics, and many other critical but small areas of your machines are susceptible to UV damage from the sun. Use a shaded area to keep various machinery safe from the harsh heat. Tents, shaded parking zone, storage areas, anything works when it comes to beating the heat.

4. Do Daily Inspections

Inspect your equipment daily to see if there are any potential heat-related issues. Especially check coolant and antifreeze levels. If the fluids are working well, they can prevent overheating. Malfunctions can occur from weak batteries as well. Always check the battery charge levels. Don’t forget to clean temperature regulatory components like cooling systems, radiators, fans, etc. They should be free of debris, mud, dirt, leaves, sticks, and other things. Dirty machines are more susceptible to heat or cold damage.

5. Prepare Your Equipment for Extreme Temperatures

Before summer and winter begin, make sure your equipment is in the best condition. Equipment with healthy temperature withstanding features is always better for long-term usage. But you must take preparation to keep them safe from harsh temperature conditions.

Whether using industry equipment or heavy outdoor machines, you should look for qualities that can overcome extreme temperatures. And by extreme, we mean both hot and cold temperatures. Even though we believe only heat can bring hazards, that is not entirely true. When you are dealing with heavy and industrial types of machinery, cold can do as much damage to your equipment.

Consider having the best machines with the right set of qualities. Such as ventilation, traction control, lubricants, oils, and batteries that can withstand extreme temperatures.

Author’s Bio

Dr. Denis Phares is the chief executive officer of Dragonfly Energy Corp. He leads the company’s innovation and research initiatives, focusing on developing and advancing Dragonfly’s revolutionary technology. Dragonfly Energy is an industry-leading manufacturer of deep cycle lithium-ion batteries and is spearheading conventional and solid-state lithium-ion battery research and development worldwide.