5 Common Mini Digger Maintenance Issues

07 December 2020

Construction companies often utilise mini diggers due to their accompanying features. These excavators are known to be efficient as they can easily finish any excavation works without any compromises. Their straightforward operations likewise allow contractors to use them freely. They also do not produce too much noise, clatter, and damages, allowing operators to perform digging activities confidently.

And with numerous attachment options available for mini diggers, these helpful tools can finish almost all types of tasks without reaching out for another machine. They can even be transported to the site within a few minutes. But despite these notable features, mini diggers can still experience some problems along the way. So, when using mini diggers, here are 5 maintenance issues that you must watch out for.

Rubber Track Tension

Most mini diggers are equipped with rubber tracks that allow their ground movement across a project site. Whenever these diggers are used in a site, their rubber tracks mustbe adjusted appropriately to effectively preserve their service life as well as minimise wear and downtimes. Rubber tracks that are too loose can easily cause unnecessary downtimes. Alternatively, rubber tracks that run too tight can easily damage them and other mini digger system components.

Application of Grease

Some components mini diggers such as pins and bushing require grease for them to work optimally. And ideally, greasing these parts should be conducted every day. For proper assistance, the manual of the mini digger must be read carefully as it identifies crucial grease points and provides preferred quantity and grade of grease. Both under-greasing and over-greasing can cause huge problems to mini digger components, which is why operators must truly refer and stick to what the manual states.

Hydraulic Oil Condition

Hydraulic oil that has been in the system for too long can break down and lose its viscosity. Even the ability to hold contaminants in suspension can be affected with contaminated hydraulic oil. Hydraulic systems found on mini diggers can fail easily with the presence of contaminated hydraulic oil. So, when dealing with hydraulic oil, you must refer to and follow the operator’s manual regarding the needed servicing timetable, hydraulic oil change intervals, and oil requirements.

Propel Drive Gearbox

Proper drive gearboxes may be small, but their reproduction costs are known to be higher than other components. With regular use of mini digger, these expensive components and their associated parts can be covered by mud, disabling operators from knowing their true conditions. Similar to hydraulic systems, proper drive gearboxes should also require oil changes at certain intervals. Without conducting maintenance services, these gearboxes will not be able to perform optimally during excavation works.

Keeping Updated Records

One of the most underestimated tasks that revolve mini digger operations is record keeping. Keeping records of their operations, performance, and invoices for oil, filters, and repairs are all crucial in assessing and evaluating the true condition of these mini diggers. These records serve as a guide to operators whether they would stick to the same manufacturer or find another provider of mini diggers. They can also be helpful when it comes to warranty claims.

These mini digger issues can be prevented if operators will maintain them properly. If you have some more questions, just give us a call at Melbourne Mini Diggers.