When I started working with my Uncle Bob last summer, I assumed that construction would be an easy, fun way to make a few extra bucks. However, I quickly discovered that construction work was serious business, filled with risks, difficulty, and rewards. After almost being creamed by a few backhoe booms, I learned how to stay out of the way. However, staying safe around heavy machinery isn't always easy to do. My blog talks about how to use machinery properly and what you need to do to stay safe so that you can return home to your family each and every day.
Staying Safe Around Heavy Machinery
What To Look For In A Used Tractor's Engine Before Your Purchase
Ashley Hayes
Purchasing a used tractor is an excellent way to get your hands on the equipment you need at an affordable price. However, this is all contingent on whether or not you make your selection wisely. This is especially the case when it comes to the engine. Before purchasing the tractor, you want to do a thorough engine inspection. Here are just some of the points you want to look for to get the most out of your used tractor purchase.
Cool Startup
If the engine is already running, request that the engine be powered off for a few moments to allow it to cool down. If the engine is already on, this might mask a difficult start up because engines sometime run better once they have been warmed up. This might prevent from seeing any warning flags during start up that might indicate a problem with the fuel injectors.
For example, a sign of a failing fuel injector during start up is a longer crank time. Once the engine has cooled, a leak in the line will cause the pressure level in the rail to decrease, which will cause the engine to take a longer period of time to turn over and start.
Engine Compartment
Unless the tractor has a brand new engine installed inside, some oil buildup along the engine should be considered normal. However, excessive oil could be a problem. An excessive buildup can sometimes be a sign of a leak or even a sign that there is excessive pressurization taking place within the crankcase.
Crankcase pressurization is sometimes an indication of a worn out engine that needs to be replaced. Make sure you're also looking in the tiny spaces on the sides of the compartment for signs of oil, in case some of the oil buildup on the engine has been cleaned away.
Exhaust Smoke
Once you have restarted the engine, take some time to drive it around, paying particular attention to the amount of smoke that is coming out of the exhaust. For the most part, only when you are pressing the accelerator should the exhaust be producing a thick cloud of smoke.
Thick smoke coming from the exhaust when you're not on the accelerator could be a sign of a problem. The issue could be something as major as the engine burning oil or an air filter that is clogged and needs to be cleaned. Whatever the case, this type of scenario warrants an inspection of the engine by a professional.
You can eliminate much of the hassle of purchasing a tractor with a bad engine by only shopping with reputable dealers. Reputable dealers perform multiple-point inspections to ensure they are offering their customers used heavy construction equipment for sale they can use, not equipment that will come along with expensive repair costs.
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