If you are a new or experienced tipper truck owner, you need to take good care of your truck to make it last longer. By doing regular maintenance, you can prevent small issues from becoming big and costly ones. At Tipper Sales Victoria, we know that many tipper truck drivers use their trucks for more than just getting around. That’s why we have simple tips to help you keep your tipper truck in top shape for a long time.
By doing regular upkeep, you can avoid expensive repairs and legal troubles from possible accident lawsuits. You can make your trucks last longer and improve road safety. Here are some important maintenance tips that can help you keep your trucks in great shape.
Keep the battery in good shape
Battery failure is the main cause of tipper truck breakdowns. A modern tipper truck relies on many functions and systems that need battery power. If they are used too much, they might drain the battery. It is essential to have batteries that are well-charged and clean, as well as a battery box and electrical connections that are well-maintained, to prevent breakdowns. To avoid problems, charge and clean the batteries regularly, and use anti-corrosion spray to keep the electrical connections in the battery box free from rust.
Change the oil properly
Checking the oil levels is a vital part of tipper truck maintenance. The oil can get dirty from the engine and the surroundings. Changing the oil regularly removes the dirt and prevents the engine from overheating and malfunctioning. The oil filter must be replaced to filter out the dust and debris. Otherwise, the engine would lose its efficiency. The usual advice is to change the oil every 25,000 miles.
However, you may need to change it more often if you drive with heavy loads, in dusty areas, or at low speed for a long time.
Clean air filters
A clean air filter improves the fuel efficiency and the engine performance. The filter media collects dust particles that block many of the tiny openings in the media. The smaller openings help the filter catch smaller dust particles, making the filter more effective. The filter gets more contaminated over time, forming a dust cake that boosts filter efficiency. A clogged filter reduces the airflow to the engine, which affects its power.
The housing interior should be cleaned, and the contact surface should be sealed with a damp cloth after changing the filter element. Make sure no dust or dirt enters the clean air side of the air cleaner.
Rotate your tires
To keep the wear of your tipper truck’s tires even, you need to rotate them regularly. This will help your tires last longer and save you fuel. It will also protect your vehicle’s suspension parts from vibration damage.
A technician can inspect the other parts under your vehicle when they rotate your tires. This way, they can spot and fix any issues before they become worse and more expensive.
Maintain Optimal Electrical System Performance
Electrical systems are vital for modern commercial tipper trucks, which have many advanced features such as onboard computers, collision avoidance systems, and ABS brakes. To keep these features functioning properly, check the connections and cables for any signs of destruction or corrosion and clean or remove them if necessary. Also, perform load tests on any batteries that may be nearing the end of their life cycles.
Wash the exterior
Washing the outside of your truck makes it look good and preserves the paint on your truck by getting rid of any rough dirt or dust.
Washing the outside of your truck is very important in the cold months in areas where it snows. The roads can be snowy and salty, accumulating on your truck and harming the paint.
When you wash your truck, remember to wash the underside, too. It is as essential as the other parts of your truck.
Create a Maintenance Plan and Stick to It
You need a plan for taking care of your truck that covers three aspects: what your truck requires when it requires it, and how to get it done. A good maintenance plan should have a list of all the parts and spare parts, the contractors and workers, and the timetable for each part that needs maintenance. If you are an owner/operator, you should check the warranty options from your truck seller and do your best to keep them valid. Warranties help you save time and money, so make sure you know what your warranty covers.
Seasonal truck maintenance
Commercial tipper trucks face different weather challenges in the summer and winter months.
Seasonal truck maintenance In the summer: The weather is often hot and dry, so the cooling system needs more attention as it works harder. Also, hot air can make the tire pressure change, so this is another thing to watch out for in those months; tires should be inspected every week.
In the winter: The weather can be freezing, snowy, and icy, and this can affect some parts of the vehicle. For diesel engines, winter maintenance can help them last longer and work better. Winter maintenance should also have extra safety parts and equipment in case of difficult driving situations.
Why Regular Maintenance is important for Your tipper Truck Performance
One of the main reasons why your tipper truck needs regular maintenance is to enhance its performance. Regular maintenance allows your trucks to work at their optimal level. You can boost the engine performance by doing regular tune-ups, which will lead to better fuel economy and lower emissions. This will not only save you money on fuel expenses but also help you achieve your environmental targets and comply with the regulations, making your fleet more eco-friendly.
Another benefit of regular maintenance is that it reduces the risk of sudden breakdowns. You can prevent expensive repairs and reduce downtime by detecting and fixing small problems before they escalate into big ones. This is very crucial for businesses that depend on their tipper trucks for delivering and transporting goods and services.
Conclusion
Proper preventive maintenance for heavy-duty tipper trucks is crucial to make sure they run smoothly and safely during winter. The above maintenance tips will help you get your tipper truck ready to face the difficulties of severe weather conditions, reduce idle time, and prevent expensive fixes. By spending on the maintenance of your trucks, you will protect your drivers as well as guarantee the prompt delivery of goods and the ongoing prosperity of your business throughout the winter season.
