PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-638

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 638

JANUARY 2006
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-638 - Page 11 of 33
Operators, your excavator could
be hard to start when the tempera-
ture drops below freezing.
Some
IHMEEs have a ether
canister that automatically injects
ether into the engine for cold
weather starting.
If your excavator is hard to
start, chances are the ether canister
is empty. Have your mechanic
check it to be sure.
PS 638
JAN 06
19
IHMEE…
Starter Reminder
It’s a known fact that more engine starters end up at support for service and repair
during cold weather.
All it takes is one itchy finger stuck
on the starter switch to burn out a good
starter motor.
So, when you try to start your exca-
vator’s engine, never keep the starter
engaged for more than 15 seconds.
Stop!
Then give the starter at least two
minutes to cool off before trying again.
If the IHMEE won’t start after three
tries, call it quits. Call in your mechanic
to find out what’s wrong.
Drain Out Water
Warm days and cool nights form condensation in the excavator’s fuel tank. That
means you have to drain the fuel/water separator before the day’s run.
Not draining the separator will leave
water and crud in the vehicle’s fuel system.
Then the engine runs rough, or not at all.
Open the separator (located on the
engine’s road side) by turning its drain-cock
counterclockwise. Use a clear container to
catch the fuel. If the fuel is clear, you’re OK.
If the fuel doesn’t run clear, close the valve
and report it to your mechanic. Clean up
your mess and dispose of rags properly.
Store drained fuel in an approved haz-
ardous waste container. Never dump it down
a drain or on the ground.
R
outine checks and services won’t hack it when it comes to interim high-mobility
engineer excavatorPM during cold weather. Read the good info in TM 5-2420-230-
10 and keep these pointers in mind.
gimme
more
pm
in the
cold!
130G
Road
Grader…
O
ne small PM tip that really matters on this road grader is the grease fitting for the
fan bearing.
The fitting is located behind the engine’s screen door (roadside). Without lube,
the bearing seizes up. Then the blade stops turning, causing the engine and trans-
mission to overheat.
So keep the fan pulley bearings lubed. During scheduled services, give the fitting
four to five shots of grease.
don’t
forget to
lube the fan
bearing.
three
tries
are
my limit!
Pulley Lubing
Ether canister
empty?
Drain
fuel/water
separator
before
day’s run
Rough Start?
638.18-19(C).qxd
12/5/05
10:08 AM
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