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LI www.landscapeirrigation.com Landscape and Irrigation April 2015 15 Earth MovErs The reliability and life expectancy of any backhoe loader is largely influenced by regular care and maintenance. Daily According to John Semosh, product support manager, Terex Construction Americas, a lot of problems can be caught or prevented if operators simply take 15 minutes before start-up each day to check the fluids and general condition of the machine. Specifically, it is important to check the hydraulic fluid, engine oil, antifreeze and fuel, and refill fluids if necessary. The next step is to walk around the machine, checking for any leaks or damage from previous use. This visual inspection should include checking common wear points, such as hydraulic hoses, tires, the bearing bushings and the pins/ bolts, and making sure all the machine's systems are lubricated and functioning properly. And always have a grease gun handy during your daily walk-arounds of the backhoe loader — the life ex- pectancy of all the critical components is dependent on how well the unit is lubricated. Semosh also recommends checking the loader's safety features such as the brakes, lights and mirrors, as well as the condition and air pres- sure each day. Weekly Weekly maintenance checks are the ideal time to make sure all ground- engaging points, such as the extend-a- hoe, bucket leveling and return-to-dig, are properly adjusted and in good working order. On the extendable dipper stick, check the bushings and pins to make sure they are not showing excessive wear. And on the backhoe, make sure the components on the cen- ter mount are not loose or worn out. Regular engine maintenance is also very important. Air filters should be inspected daily and changed weekly if the backhoe loader is working in extreme environments. Another key point of engine mainte- nance is the fuel system, said Semosh. Always make sure the top and opening to the tank are clean before removing the cap, fill up the tank and securely fasten the cap each night to keep con- densation from forming. Preventive Maintenance Tasks Every quarter, check the oil on the front and rear axle differentials and inspect the planetary outboard. Change the oil and repair or replace any worn or dam- aged components as needed. All fluids should be changed, includ- ing the hydraulic oil, according to the manufacturer's recommended guide- lines. Engine oil should be changed every 250 or 500 hours depending on fuel sulfur level; brake fluid should be changed every 500 hours; and hydraulic oil should be changed every 1,000 hours (always refer to the operator's manual to make sure the oil's viscosity is com- patible with the backhoe loader and the operating environment, including the temperature). At the year mark, it is a good time to look at the maintenance records to spot any patterns. It is important to look at what components are failing and to de- termine why, how and when they failed, as well as to know which components are holding up over time and to analyze those trends. Amber Reed is PR consultant for Signature Style PR, Huntersville, N.C. Article provided by Terex Construc- tion Americas, Southaven, Miss. access or on sites where it doesn't make sense to have an extra piece of equipment. "And a 7-in-1 bucket attachment is great for spreading and leveling jobsite materials, like fill dirt, over larger areas," he added. "Pallet fork attachments are easily able to carry cable, pipes and tiling around the jobsite, and grapple attachments can be used to pick up, carry and place heavier materials like storm drains and sewer lines. "With a hydraulic thumb attachment," continued Ferguson, "backhoe loaders can easily lift, move and place materials in and around existing landscapes, while an auger attachment is great to have on hand during the site restoration phase for drilling post- holes for trees and shrubs." No matter what attachment an operator is using, the key to pro- ductivity is to make sure the machine's hydraulic flow is matched to the attachment, and that it is easy for operators to change out and operate the attachment. "For instance," said Ferguson, "quick coupler systems make it fast and easy to change attachments, and auxiliary hydraulics offer flexibility in adding attachments." In the end, backhoe loaders are ideal for underground work where other machines may not be as productive or when operat- ing costs prohibit the use of multiple machines. Amber Reed is PR consultant for Signature Style PR, Hunters- ville, N.C. Article provided by Terex Construction Americas, Southaven, Miss. Shop Talk /////////////////////////////////////// How to Maintain a Backhoe Loader ■ by aMbEr rEEd LI