How to maintain a small mini excavator

Proper maintenance of small mini excavators is crucial for extending equipment lifespan and ensuring operational efficiency. It involves daily inspections, regular maintenance, and other aspects. The specific maintenance points are as follows:

I. Daily Inspections (before and after each operation)

Appearance and Structure

Check whether structural components such as the vehicle body, boom, and arm have cracks, deformation, or loose welds. Repair problems promptly to avoid exacerbating damage under stress.

Clean the mud and stones on the tracks/tires to prevent jamming or wear; for tracked excavators, check the track tightness (it should be able to lift 10-15cm), and for wheeled excavators, check the tire pressure and wear condition.

Fuel and Fluids

Check the fuel tank level to avoid engine idling due to lack of fuel; at the same time, check whether the fuel tank cap seal is intact to prevent impurities and water from entering.

Check the levels of engine oil, coolant, hydraulic oil, and transmission oil to ensure they are within the normal range on the dipstick. If there is leakage (such as at pipe joints or oil seals), handle it immediately.

Filters and Pipes

Check if the air filter is clogged (it can be gently tapped or blown clean with compressed air in the reverse direction; severely clogged ones need to be replaced) to avoid insufficient engine intake leading to reduced power.

Observe whether the hydraulic pipes and joints are damaged or leaking oil. If hydraulic oil leakage is found, replace the seals or pipes in time to prevent contamination of the hydraulic system.

Lubrication System

In accordance with the equipment manual, apply lubricating grease (butter) to all movable joints (such as the connecting pins between the boom and the frame, and between the arm and the bucket) to ensure flexible operation and reduce friction and wear (it is recommended to apply before each operation).

II. Regular Maintenance (according to service hours or cycles)

Engine Maintenance

Oil and filter replacement: Replace for the first time after approximately 50 hours of use, and then every 200-300 hours (specifically according to the manual). When changing the oil, replace the oil filter at the same time to avoid contamination of new oil by the old filter.

Coolant inspection and replacement: Check the coolant concentration every 6 months or 500 hours (to prevent freezing or boiling), and replace the coolant every 2000 hours or 2 years. When replacing, flush the cooling system.

Fuel filter replacement: Replace every 500-1000 hours to prevent impurities in the fuel from clogging the fuel injectors and affecting the normal operation of the engine.

Hydraulic System Maintenance

Hydraulic oil and filter replacement: Replace for the first time after 100 hours, and then every 1000-1500 hours (it can be advanced according to the degree of oil contamination). When replacing, completely drain the old oil, clean the fuel tank, and replace the hydraulic oil filter and return oil filter at the same time.

Regularly check the contamination degree of hydraulic oil (through oil sample testing). If water or impurities are mixed in, filter or replace it in time; otherwise, it will aggravate the wear of hydraulic pumps, cylinders and other components.

Transmission System Maintenance

For tracked excavators, regularly check the wear of track links, supporting wheels, and guide wheels. Check the butter quantity of the track tensioning cylinder every 1000 hours and replenish if necessary.

For wheeled excavators, regularly replace the transmission oil and gear oil (every 1000-2000 hours), and check whether the drive shaft and universal joint are loose or making abnormal noises.

Electrical System

Check the battery power (voltage should be around 12V) and whether the electrode terminals are oxidized (vaseline can be applied to prevent rust). If not used for a long time, disconnect the negative pole of the battery to avoid power loss.

Check whether the lights, horn, operating handle buttons, etc., work normally, and whether the line connectors are loose to prevent short circuits or poor contact.

Bucket and Attachments

Check the wear of the bucket edge. If it is severely worn, it needs to be welded and reinforced or replaced; when the bucket teeth are loose, fasten them in time to avoid falling off and damaging the bucket.

III. Long-term Storage Maintenance

If the equipment is out of service for a long time (more than 1 month), the following measures should be taken:

Clean the mud and oil on the surface of the equipment, and apply anti-rust oil to exposed metal parts to prevent rust.

Fill the fuel tank (to reduce air entry and rust on the inner wall of the fuel tank), add fuel stabilizer; drain the coolant (if the ambient temperature may be below 0℃) or add antifreeze.

Disconnect the negative pole of the battery, or remove the battery and store it separately (charge regularly).

Park the equipment on a flat and dry site, place wooden boards under the tracks/tires to avoid direct contact with the ground and moisture; if possible, cover the equipment with a rainproof cloth.

IV. Other Notes

Strictly follow the maintenance cycle and oil model specified in the equipment manual. Avoid using inferior engine oil, hydraulic oil, etc., otherwise it will seriously damage the engine and hydraulic system.

When maintenance involves complex components such as the hydraulic system and engine interior, it is recommended to be operated by professional maintenance personnel to avoid failures caused by improper operation.

Scientific and standardized maintenance can effectively reduce the failure rate of small mini excavators, extend their service life, and ensure operational safety and efficiency.