Tag: how to adjust dozer track tension

How to do Everything Better

How to calculate your DEF use

Running out of diesel exhaust fluid is about as dumb as running out of diesel fuel. Engine manufacturers set DEF burn rates at about 2 to 5 percent of fuel burned. (For every 100 gallons of diesel a machine consumes, it will burn 2 to 5 gallons of DEF.) So multiply the fuel consumption of […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

How to adjust the tension on your tracks

Almost all tracks are tensioned by pumping grease into a piston. The grease fitting is typically located behind a cover plate in the center of the undercarriage. This extends the piston and stretches the tracks. (You let grease out of the fitting to reduce tension on the tracks.) Your owner’s manual will give you specs […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

How to repair a grease zerk

When a grease zerk won’t accept grease from your grease gun, the simplest solution is to unscrew the zerk, clean it out with a wire, brake cleaner or compressed air, reinstall the zerk and try it again. If it still won’t work, you have bigger problems and may need to call in a mechanic. As […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

How to get a good oil sample on construction equipment

According to Dan Arcy, global OEM technical manager for Shell Lubricants, an engine oil analysis program requires users to follow a few fundamental procedures that often don’t get the attention they deserve. Some tips: • Provide a proper oil sample to the lab. If you take your sample when the oil is being drained, catch […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

7 things to do before an equipment auction

If you want to get a good deal buying heavy equipment at auction, doing your homework – hours of homework – is essential. Things happen fast at these auctions and you can miss out on great opportunities or overplay your hand if you’re not ready. Here are some tips: Identify your needs. Make a list […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

How to calculate construction owning and operating costs

Owning costs = purchase price of machine + financing + taxes – disposal price (what you get for that machine when you resell it). Operating costs = labor + fuel + maintenance + replacement costs of tires, tracks and other components + overhead. Add the owning to the operating costs and you have your O&O […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

Make sure your load is secure

Moving heavy equipment safely is no small task. If not done properly, the results can be disastrous. During loading, keep the following in mind: Do not operate or load equipment that you do not know how to safely operate. When possible, place the equipment against a vehicle structure to help prevent forward movement – unless […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

Know your limits: Towing more than 5,000 pounds with a half-ton pickup is against the law

That commercial showing a pickup taking on a heavy load sure does look good. But you first need to read the small print in the manufacturer’s owner manual. Half-ton pickups have a 5,000-pound towing capacity, period. This can be problematic when you just want to haul your compact machine to the next jobsite. The weight […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

7 tips for jumpstarting heavy-duty equipment

When the mercury drops, equipment can sometimes get cantankerous when starting. Clore Automotive says these tips will get your engine humming again: Make sure you use a jumpstarter that can be used on heavy equipment. Keep your jumpstarter charged, especially during extreme temperatures, which are hard on a battery. If possible, store it above 50 […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

A quick primer on using GPS in construction

The GPS you get in your car is accurate down to about 10 meters. How then can you get a dozer, excavator, rover or survey instrument to record GPS points down to within a few centimeters? The secret is in the base station for the site. This is set up on a surveyed and known […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

How to stop operators from idling too much

This tip came from a 2014 Equipment World Contractor of the Year finalist Landon Floyd of Precision Pipeline in Cedar City, Utah: Have all your guys park their personal vehicles in the yard one day and drive them out to the site in a van or have them carpool. Make them leave their keys at […]

July 29, 2019