By Tara Deering

Compact utility loaders can be valuable tools in the construction and landscaping markets. The machines are small and agile enough to fit in backyards and other confined spaces, while powerful enough to handle some jobs usually tackled by larger skid steer machines.

Because these versatile compact utility loaders are so instrumental to a contractor’s equipment fleet, it’s critical that they stay in peak working condition. From cleaning the tracks to performing routine engine inspections, here are some top preventive maintenance tips for operators of compact utility loaders.

1. Maintain Proper Tire Inflation
Tires on a compact utility loader should be inflated with air, unless foam or liquid fill is required, says Tony Bokhoven, compact solutions specialist for Vermeer Mfg. Co. If the tires are over-inflated, they may cause a harsher ride for the operator. Under-inflated tires can become damaged under the weight of a load, Bokhoven says.
“As long as you set your tire pressure to the manufacturer’s suggested pressure, you should get the best possible life out of them.”

2. Maintain Proper Track Tension
On compact utility loaders with tracks, you should inspect the track tension daily and make adjustments if necessary, Bokhoven says. Operators must maintain the proper track tension specified in the manufacturer’s manual. If tracks are too loose, they can slip off, bind and tear. And, if the track tension is too tight, it will eventually stretch the tracks and cause the same wear problems.

3. Clean Tracks and Roller Bearings
At the end of each workday, an operator should also clean the tracks of mud and other debris using a pressure washer. Cleaner tracks will allow any damage that might have occurred throughout the day to be seen and promptly repaired or replaced. If you do not clean the tracks daily, dried mud can become packed in the tracks’ rollers and bearings, causing premature wear. Operators should also grease the roller bearings daily, unless they are sealed. “Having a sealed bearing means one less item for the operator to maintain,” Bokhoven says.

4. Inspect Engine Components
Changing the oil and cleaning the air filter regularly are two basic maintenance tasks operators can perform to keep the unit’s engine running smoothly. But engine coolant is one component that is often overlooked by operators owning liquid-cooled diesel engines. Bokhoven says some operators notice too late that their engine coolant is low, which may cause the engine to overheat. And the more times the engine overheats, the shorter its life.

5. Clean Attachment Connections
One of the important benefits of having a compact utility loader is the ability to run a variety of attachments. In order to keep those attachments connected and running, Bokhoven recommends cleaning the auxiliary hydraulic system’s connection points before hooking up an attachment. “If there are dirty fittings where you plug in the attachments, those contaminants may be pushed into the hydraulic system,” he says. “Over time, it will reduce the life of those hydraulic components.”

6. Consult the Owner’s Manual
And last but not least, operators should always refer to their manufacturer’s manual to identify their compact utility loader’s maintenance items and planned maintenance schedule.

Tara Deering is a technical writer for Two Rivers Marketing Group, Des Moines, Iowa.

BACK TO TOP