Precautions for Spring Start of Bulldozers: Ensuring a Smooth Transition

As the winter frost gives way to the warmth of spring, it's essential to prepare your bulldozers for the seasonal shift. Proper precautions during the spring start-up can prevent issues, enhance performance, and extend the lifespan of your machines. In this article, we will discuss the necessary inspections and steps to take before starting your bulldozer for the spring season.

Inspection Before Starting the Bulldozer:

1. Check the Appearance and Surroundings:

   • Examine the entire machine for any signs of oil and water leakage on the parking ground.

   • Inspect the hydraulic pipelines, circuit pipelines, and control valves for any abnormalities.

   • Clean the impurities around the radiator and ensure the cooling system operates normally.

2. Empty the Fuel Tank and Oil-Water Separator:

   • Drain any remaining water in the fuel tank and oil-water separator to avoid contamination and ensure clean fuel supply.

3. Verify Liquid Levels:

   • Check the levels of engine oil, hydraulic oil, transmission oil, transmission case oil, main clutch oil, coolant, urea solution, etc., and ensure they are at the standard levels.

4. Greasing and Maintenance:

   • Wipe off the anti-rust oil from the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder.

   • Inject new grease into each grease nipple of the entire machine, except for the tensioning cylinder, until the old grease is fully discharged.

5. Turbocharger Maintenance:

   • Remove the turbocharger oil inlet pipe, add a small amount of oil, and retighten it. This practice effectively prolongs the life of the turbocharger.

6. Key Switch and Instrument Check:

   • Set the key switch to the ON position and check for any fault codes or alarm prompts on the instrument panel.

   • Start the engine only after confirming that there are no issues or faults.

7. Regeneration System (for National IV Bulldozers):

   • Confirm that the regeneration switch is in the neutral state for proper functioning of the after-treatment system.

   • This ensures automatic passive regeneration and effectively prevents speed and torque limits caused by abnormal switch settings.

Starting the Bulldozer:

1. Key Switch Operation:

   • Avoid keeping the key switch in the starting gear for more than 10 seconds.

   • If the engine fails to start initially, wait for 30 seconds before attempting to start it again.

   • If the engine fails to start after three consecutive attempts, thoroughly check and troubleshoot the issue.

2. Idle Running:

   • After starting the engine, allow it to run at idle speed for 3-5 minutes.

   • This allows the engine to be fully lubricated and enables the coolant temperature to rise gradually.

   • Avoid increasing the engine speed during this period, as the viscosity of the oil is higher at low temperatures. High speeds with a cold engine can result in inadequate lubrication and premature wear and tear.

3. Cold Weather Operation:

   • When the ambient temperature is below -10°C, idle the engine for 5 minutes and then proceed with warm-up operations.

   • Engage the medium-speed accelerator and perform operations such as lifting and tilting cylinders, forward and backward walking, and gear changes.

   • This gradual warm-up process ensures that the machine reaches its optimal working state.

By following these precautions and performing the necessary inspections and steps, you can ensure a smooth transition for your bulldozers during the spring season. Proper maintenance and care will help maximize performance, prevent breakdowns, and extend the lifespan of your valuable equipment. Embrace the season with confidence, knowing your bulldozers are ready to tackle the tasks ahead.