Loaders are essential across many worksites, including construction, agriculture, and mining. These machines are versatile and powerful, but they still require regular maintenance to operate efficiently and perform optimally. One way to guarantee their longevity and performance is through preventive maintenance.

This blog post is all about preventive maintenance for your loader. Along the way, we’ll also provide a checklist of tasks you’ll want to make sure to complete when you perform your preventive maintenance checks for your loader.

Ready to extend the lifespan of your equipment and get the most out of their performance? Preventive maintenance is the key! So, let’s turn the ignition and get going!

What Is Preventive Maintenance?

Preventive maintenance is the practice of inspecting and cleaning equipment before a breakdown occurs.

Performing regular maintenance may seem like a pain in the neck and an additional expense, but we can promise working it into your schedule will save you bigger pains in the future. Think of your loader the way you think of yourself: as a hardworking machine! To keep your body working, you need to see the doctor. Likewise, your loader needs maintenance.

Preventive maintenance means you can identify and fix small problems before they create big problems (and big repair bills).

A complete preventive maintenance plan will include inspections, lubrication, fluid analysis, and part replacement.

The Benefits of Preventive Maintenance for Loaders

There are many reasons why you should set up a preventive maintenance routine for your loader:

First, simply put, it makes your equipment run better. When your loader is operating smoothly, it reduces wear and tear. In turn, preventive maintenance reduces overall downtime, keeping equipment in operation longer and generating less lost revenue.

Second, preventive maintenance extends equipment lifespan. Regular inspection identifies potential issues before they become major, helping to keep equipment running for longer.

Loader Preventive Maintenance Checklist

Looking for a step-by-step guide for your preventive maintenance? Want to know what the most important things to check are? Follow along!

Daily Inspection and Cleaning

Just looking at your loader’s inner workings regularly and keeping key parts clean can go a long way in maintaining it. In particular, inspect hydraulic hoses for wear or damage, check for debris inside the cab, lubricate pivot points, and check that lights and mirrors are in good condition.

Fluid Analysis and Maintenance

Fluid analysis is essential for the health of loaders. Check your fluids and change them when they become contaminated or when it’s time to do so.

The most important fluids to check are:

• Engine oil
• Coolant
• Hydraulic oil

Your loader will return the favor with higher levels of performance!

Lubrication

Loaders have many pivot points and joints to manage movement. Lubricating these at the proper intervals with the correct lubricants is important to create smooth, efficient operation. Some loaders have over 75 grease points that must be lubricated, so know where these points are in your specific machine.

Filter Replacement

Filters protect the inner workings from contaminants and dirt. Regular inspection and replacement of filters can minimize loader breakdowns caused by excessive engine wear and tear, and hydraulic pump failure. Filters should be checked and replaced on a routine schedule.

Part Inspections and Adjustments

Critical components of the loader should be inspected regularly, such as the hydraulic hoses, tires, brakes, and belts. These components must be visually inspected and maintained to avoid part failure and bigger problems down the line.

Wear and Tear Monitoring

Worn down parts can cause both dangerous conditions for the operator and poor equipment performance. So, make a point of checking your loaders, parts, and attachments. If effective attachment monitoring mechanisms or systems are not in place, be sure to use quality equipment!

Arm Yourself with the Attachments You Need at Tomahawk!

Preventive maintenance is critical for extending loader lifespan, minimizing downtime, and avoiding expensive repairs. By incorporating this preventive maintenance checklist, equipment owners, maintenance managers, and operators can encourage better preventive maintenance and extend the life of their valuable equipment.

Ready to get even more out of your equipment? Tomahawk’s craftsmen build the highest quality attachments at a price that can’t be beat! Check out the attachments we have on offer and order today to get an even higher level of performance from your loader.