How can you do more in less time? That's the universal dilemma facing all construction contractors. Your projects are becoming larger and more complex, regulatory restrictions are increasing, and yet your construction schedules are only being shortened. For many of these reasons, compact track loaders have proven to be invaluable on jobsites because of their diverse set of capabilities.

However, if the machine isn’t up and running, it quickly becomes a hindrance to your entire operation. We recently caught up with our compact track loader product team to outline several tips to decrease downtime, as well as considerations to make when spec’ing your next compact track loader in this month’s blog.

Pre-Purchase Serviceability and Maintenance Considerations

As you know, monitoring your machine’s condition regularly can help detect potential issues that could turn into bigger problems if ignored. With this in mind, it is important to consider features that will make routine machine maintenance easier for you. Some of these include:

• Machine diagnostics and monitoring capabilities – Today’s advanced compact loaders have color LCD display systems with video capability, allowing the operator to quickly and easily monitor machine systems and read machine diagnostics.
• Optimized positioning of daily maintenance check components – Components such as the engine air filter, battery, engine oil dipstick, engine oil filter, electric priming fuel filter and water separator, hydraulic oil level sight gauge and hydraulic oil filter should be easily accessed, without the use of tools.
• Grouped access points – The closer the access points, the easier it will be to complete the maintenance checklist quickly. For example, when grease points are grouped close together, they are easier to service.
• Organized component layout underneath the cab – A complicated layout will take longer to inspect or troubleshoot the machine. A machine with a well-organized component layout will be easy to clean out, inspect and identify any issues.

Optimize Maintenance Intervals

Today’s machine designs include technology that helps extend service intervals—which means less time in the shop and more time on the job site. Many maintenance tasks that used to be required may no longer be necessary. For example, there is no need to maintain battery fluid levels when maintenance-free batteries come standard. Here are some factors that could help optimize maintenance intervals:

• Look for a compact track loader with convenient intervals that are easy to remember, such as multiples of 100 or 250 hours.
• Identify manufacturers that offer maintenance kits with machine purchases that might include filters, fluids and other items needed at various intervals.
• Utilize bucket and blade attachments with double-sided cutting edges. If one side reaches its wear limit, simply reverse it to extend the life.