Master the process of properly storing and reactivating your excavator. This guide helps you create checklists that prevent long-term damage, reduce recommissioning time, and ensure the machine is ready for the next season.
Proper storage and recommissioning are critical steps in extending the life of your high-value excavators, preventing corrosion, and ensuring a smooth start-up.
Storage and recommissioning checklists are specialized guides for preparing an excavator for a period of inactivity (e.g., winter) and then safely and efficiently bringing it back into service. These checklists are essential for preventing long-term damage that can occur during storage.
Neglecting these steps can lead to severe corrosion, fluid degradation, and electrical issues that result in costly reactive repairs. A formal checklist ensures every critical step is followed, from stabilizing fluids to protecting cylinders. It's a proactive maintenance strategy that protects your investment during its most vulnerable period. These checklists are part of a complete maintenance program that includes your routine services like the 100-hour service and a final pre-trip inspection before it goes back to work.
| Problem | Cause | Prevention Method |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Corrosion | Old oil, internal moisture buildup | Oil/filter change before storage |
| Hydraulic Seal Failure | Cylinder exposure, fluid degradation | Greasing and covering cylinders |
| Electrical Issues | Drained battery, rodent damage | Disconnecting battery, sealing entry points |
| Fluid Contamination | Water intrusion into hydraulic/fuel tanks | Topping off tanks to prevent condensation |
A comprehensive storage and recommissioning plan is a two-part process that requires a focused checklist for each phase.
As a Maintenance Manager, you are responsible for the health of your assets. A formal storage and recommissioning plan directly impacts your budget by preventing costly repairs, reducing downtime, and extending the life of your equipment.
By formalizing these checklists, you ensure that every excavator in your fleet is protected from the effects of long-term inactivity. This saves you from unexpected maintenance costs at the start of a new season and reduces the time it takes to get an asset back into service. These checklists work hand-in-hand with your other maintenance protocols, such as your seasonal winterization and hydraulic system checks, to provide a holistic approach to asset care. It's a strategic move that pays dividends in both reliability and financial savings.
Reduction in recommissioning time for stored assets
Decrease in unplanned repairs after a period of inactivity
Extension of overall component lifespan
Clear, auditable record of all storage and recommissioning work
| Cost Factor | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Program Costs: | |
| Digital Checklist Software | -$1,000 |
| Storage/Recommission Labor | -$2,000 |
| Savings: | |
| Reduced Post-Storage Repairs | +$15,000 |
| Reduced Unplanned Downtime | +$10,000 |
| Extended Component Lifespan | +$8,000 |
| Net Annual Benefit | +$30,000 |
Key questions for Maintenance Managers about storing and reactivating heavy equipment.
Performing a full fluid and filter change is the most critical step. Old fluids, especially oil, contain contaminants that can cause corrosion during storage. Changing the fluids and filters ensures the engine and hydraulic system are protected from internal damage. This is a key part of your proactive preventive maintenance strategy.
While the core principles are the same, the specific checklists will change. For example, a checklist for a wheel loader would focus on tire pressure and brake systems, while a mobile crane checklist would include checks on the boom and outriggers. The process should be tailored to the specific asset's needs to be effective.
Yes, and it's highly recommended. A digital checklist for storage and recommissioning provides a time-stamped, auditable record of every step taken. It ensures that no critical items are missed and can be easily shared with your team, management, or even an auditor to prove due diligence. It also makes it easier to track the long-term health of an asset.
A small fluid leak during storage can lead to a major repair. Seals and hoses can crack and dry out, and fluid can leak, leading to a loss of pressure or contamination when the machine is started. By properly preparing your hydraulic cylinders and covering the machine, you can prevent this and ensure a smooth recommissioning process.
A storage and recommissioning checklist is the bookend to your regular maintenance. It provides a formal close to a service period and a structured start to the next. The fluid changes performed during this time often correspond with your 500-hour service or a full fluid change. The final recommissioning inspection is a detailed version of the daily checklist, ensuring the machine is safe and ready to go back to work.
Complement your storage and recommissioning with these essential resources.
A comprehensive checklist for before the vehicle begins its trip.
View ChecklistComprehensive maintenance strategies for a wide range of heavy equipment.
Stop leaving your assets vulnerable during long periods of inactivity. Implement a formal storage and recommissioning checklist to prevent long-term damage, reduce costs, and ensure your excavators are always ready for the next season.
Protect your assets from corrosion and fluid degradation
$30,000 average annual savings
Get your machine back to work quickly and safely