Tips for Heavy Equipment Washing
Ensuring your equipment stays clean is a critical component of regular machine maintenance. Proper heavy equipment washing helps minimize wear and tear, increase operational efficiency, lengthen its service life, and protect your investment. The problem is that heavy equipment cleaning is not as simple as washing your car. Follow our tips and best practices for handling it the right way.
Keep to a Schedule
How frequently you clean your machine will vary based on how much you use it and the conditions of your jobsite. If you’re operating on a particularly muddy or dusty site, then you may need to wash it every couple of days. We strongly recommend sticking to a cleaning schedule as part of your regular machine maintenance routine, because the longer grease, mud, and other gunk sits, the more it may hinder operation and the harder it will be to remove.
Use a Designated Wash Station
With heavy equipment washing, it is essential to utilize specialized stations or bays that are designed to capture and treat the wastewater. Many jurisdictions have regulations that prohibit water containing grease, fuel residue, and other contaminants from entering open surfaces and groundwater reservoirs. Designated wash bays will allow you to clean your machine while preventing contaminated water from entering the surrounding ecosystem.
When it comes to bays for heavy equipment cleaning, you have two options. The first is to build a permanent station at your facility or where you keep your machines, and the second is to purchase a portable wash pad that can be brought to almost any location. These wash areas, whether permanent fixtures or portable options, are equipped with systems that filter out contaminants before safely disposing of or recycling the water.
Rely on Your Pressure Washer
To tackle the toughest heavy equipment cleaning jobs, a pressure washer is an invaluable tool. It can effectively dislodge and remove stubborn residue from hard-to-reach crevices and surfaces. For an even more thorough cleaning, consider using hot water pressure washers. Their higher temperatures can better dissolve and break down grease, oil, and other sticky materials than cold water can, saving you time and water.
Always Utilize the Right Clothing and Gear
During heavy equipment washing, we strongly suggest wearing full length clothes or coveralls, non-slip shoes, face and eye protection, and gloves. The right clothing and equipment will reduce the chances that your employees get injured by hot water, chemicals, or contaminants coming off of the equipment.
Choose the Correct Detergents and Surfactants
When the dirt and grime on your equipment contains a mixture of organic substances, such as lubrication grease, fuel residue, or insect and bird waste, and inorganic substances, such as sand, gravel, and dust, then detergents will help you with heavy equipment washing.
Here are some of the best chemicals to clean the grease, dirt, and grime off of your machines:
- Acidic pre-soaks and/or aluminum brighteners for oxidation and mineral residue
- High pH detergent to neutralize your low pH presoak & clean normal buildup
- Friction detergent for brush washing that will reduce drying & surface abrasions
- Degreaser for a heavy buildup of grease, fuel spills, and oils
- Concrete and cement cleaner for removing paving materials, lime, fly ash, rust, and water scale
Take Off Your Attachments
During heavy equipment cleaning, it’s critical that you remove any attachments and wash them separately. Doing so will help you access grime more easily, and the entire washing process will be more thorough.
Contact Us Today
If you have any questions about heavy equipment washing or machine maintenance in general, please contact our team today!