The construction industry is sluggish, and finding work is difficult. To meet deadlines, winter construction is a frequent challenge for many. How can you ensure your vibro hammer operates normally in the harsh winter, maintaining its optimal working condition and providing reliable support for the smooth progress of construction projects? The following points are crucial. Today, Juxiang brings you winter maintenance tips!
1. Check the lubricating oil.
The appropriate lubricating oil for your vibro hammer should be selected based on the temperature conditions of your region, as well as the oil’s pour point and viscosity. Special care should be taken with the lubricating oil in the vibratory chamber, the core component of the piling hammer. Piling machines operate across a wide range of areas, from Northeast China to Hainan this month, and from Shandong to Xinjiang next month. It is recommended to replace lubricating oil used in higher-temperature regions promptly when transferring to lower-temperature areas.
When temperatures are low, especially in winter, it’s best to use lubricating oil with a lower viscosity. Normally, the lower the ambient temperature, the thicker and more viscous the lubricating oil will be, resulting in weaker fluidity and reduced lubrication. Furthermore, mixing different brands of lubricating oil is not recommended. Different manufacturers’ lubricating oils generally contain different additives; blindly mixing them may cause varying degrees of oil deterioration, affecting the final lubrication effect. A word of caution: don’t try to save a few hundred yuan on oil; inadequate lubrication of the vibro hammer can lead to losses of at least tens of thousands of yuan – it’s simply not worth it.
2. The antifreeze needs to be replaced.
Vibro hammers typically operate in harsh environments. With winter approaching, especially in northern regions, when ambient temperatures drop below freezing, it’s crucial to replace the antifreeze. Some owners even use untreated water as coolant, a cheap but harmful practice that should be avoided. Vibro hammer manufacturers provide specific antifreeze replacement recommendations. Based on years of experience, antifreeze should be changed at least once a year. Frequent changes are essential for effective antifreeze protection; otherwise, it can have the opposite effect, damaging the engine.
On the market, most construction site equipment cooling systems accumulate scale or rust after long-term use. This buildup severely affects the heat dissipation function of the vibro hammer’s cooling system. Therefore, when changing the antifreeze on your vibro hammer, it’s best to clean the antifreeze tank. A quick brushing is all it takes; it’s an easy task that can be done in half an hour. Just like with lubricating oil, never mix antifreeze of different standards or brands, just like when changing antifreeze in your car.
3. Note the diesel fuel grade
The vibro hammers are equipped with the same diesel engine as the excavator, with different diesel grade depending on the season, temperature, and region. If you don’t pay attention to the diesel fuel grade, it can cause things like wax buildup and clogged fuel lines in the engine’s fuel system, or even engine failure, shutdown, and production stoppages, resulting in visible losses.
According to our national diesel fuel standards, No. 5 diesel can generally be used in areas with temperatures above 8℃; No. 0 diesel can generally be used in ambient temperatures between 8℃ and 4℃; No. -10 diesel is suitable for use in ambient temperatures between 4℃ and -5℃; No. -20 diesel is recommended for use in ambient temperatures between -5℃ and -14℃; No. -35 diesel is recommended for use in ambient temperatures between -14℃ and -29℃; and No. -50 diesel is recommended for use in ambient temperatures between -29℃ and -44℃ or even lower (There’s no need for construction if the temperature drops further).
4. Preheating is necessary.
In winter, the first start of the day for the pile driver should ideally not exceed 8 seconds. If it doesn’t start successfully on the first try, try again after 1 minute. After the pile driver starts successfully, it’s best to leave the vehicle stationary for 5-10 minutes. This is to charge the battery and allow the engine coolant temperature to rise and the pressure gauge to reach 0.4 MPa. Once all these parameters are met, you can drive the pile driver and get to work. These warm-up steps are like warming up before winter swimming; a little exercise before getting in the water helps you swim better.
When the ambient temperature is close to or below zero, it is recommended to preheat the pile driver to above 30 degrees Celsius with hot water before starting it. Additionally, it is recommended that the diesel engine operate at full load only when the water temperature is above 55 degrees Celsius and the oil temperature is not below 45 degrees Celsius. During operation, the temperature should ideally not exceed 100 degrees Celsius, and a vibro hammer temperature exceeding 120 degrees Celsius is considered high temperature.
5. Electrical components need to be inspected and repaired.
Starting difficulties in winter often occur in older piling machines, as aging electrical components are less resistant to freezing. Inspecting and replacing aging electrical wiring and components during seasonal maintenance is essential to reduce starting difficulties, including checking and maintaining the battery. Heating equipment is indispensable for outdoor operations in winter; therefore, its operation should be checked and repaired.
If you don’t have any projects lined up and your piling machine is idle for an extended period, it’s recommended that you start the engine every two weeks and run it for at least 10 minutes to allow the battery and other electrical components to recover. If you don’t have any projects for an extended period, even more than two months, it’s advisable to disconnect the negative terminal of the piling machine’s battery. If possible, remove the battery and store it separately (maintenance is essential, and theft prevention is also important).
6. Three leaks need to be investigated.
Compared to other construction machinery, vibro hammers have a vastly different and longer hydraulic pipeline system, with countless connectors. With so many and such long pipelines and connectors, thermal expansion and contraction are unavoidable due to changes in environmental conditions and the machine’s operating temperature. The seals on the oil, gas, and water lines of the vibro hammer, especially O-rings, are prone to damage. When operating a pile driver in winter, leaks of oil, gas, and water are commonplace. Therefore, with persistently low winter temperatures, it is essential for vibro hammer owners and drivers to regularly check for leaks to prevent potential problems.
A good vibro hammer depends 30% on usage and 70% on maintenance. Winter, with its lower temperatures and harsher environment compared to other seasons, presents a significant challenge for the complex vibro hammer. Winter is also the off-season for the construction industry, with equipment often idle. Those experienced in vibro hammer maintenance know that problems are easily detected when equipment is in continuous use, but are easily hidden when idle, especially in winter. Finally, for those still working on construction sites in cold, slippery conditions, remember that piling is a technical and high-risk profession. While using piling machines properly, always prioritize construction safety! Safety is the greatest asset, isn’t it?
Post time: Dec-05-2025