Safely Operating Equipment in the Summer Heat

Oftentimes the summer heat sneaks up on us, even when we know it’s coming! In Indiana especially, you can go from a nice, mild, sunny day to an absolutely miserable heat. Castongia Tractor is dedicated to Helping You Grow and we want to make sure you and your equipment are safe during the longest days of the year. Continue reading to learn more about safely operating your equipment in the summer heat. 

Keep an Eye on Temperatures

When the weather turns warm, you’ll want to keep an eye on the forecast and also keep an eye on your engine temperature. Equipment can overheat easily in extreme heat, so you’ll need to keep an eye on the number from the cab. If you’re handling high-horsepower tasks, pay close attention to the overall performance of your tractor or machine, and don’t push it to its limits. You can cause serious damage if you push the engine to the max on a hot day. 

You also want to monitor the outdoor temperature for your safety and to stay within the limits of specific tasks. For example, if you’re applying any chemical to your fields, some products will not absorb correctly if the temperature is too high. You may need to adjust your to-do list to meet the correct parameters for the jobs at hand. 

Stay Hydrated and Fueled

Although most modern equipment has enclosed operating stations or cabs that are equipped with air conditioning, it is very important to stay hydrated when you’re operating equipment in the heat of summer. Choose water and electrolyte solutions and avoid liquids that are dehydrating, like carbonated beverages.

Hydration is key, but so is your calorie intake. You can burn more calories in the sun, so you need to stay fueled as an operator. However, you don’t want to over-consume anything and cause misery for yourself on a hot day! Eat small portions of light foods throughout the day along with your water and electrolytes, and you’ll feel much better than if you ate a large portion of food and then went to work in the heat. If you can or if you’re not in an enclosed cab, take quick breaks throughout the day to prevent yourself from overheating. 

If you are working in a cabbed tractor or machine, you should try to avoid creating a cab that is much cooler than the outdoor temperature; if you have to regularly get in and out of the equipment, you can cause fluctuations in your body temperature by going from the heat of the sun to the air-conditioned cab. Find a comfortable temperature, but don’t stun your body when it’s time to exit the machine!

Utilize Preventative Maintenance

It will be important to monitor your machine’s health during the peak summer season, but you can gear up for the heat by utilizing preventative maintenance well before the temperatures climb. Regular inspections can catch problems early on; it’s recommended that you complete a quick equipment inspection before and after each use.

Pay close attention to filters and intakes, especially as the heat increases. Keeping clean filters will reduce the risk of combustion and clear intakes will improve your overall comfortability as an operator. You’ll also want to monitor the fluid levels of your equipment and keep the tanks topped off. It can be advantageous to check the consistency of your fluids as well since the heat can cause changes. 

Other preventative measures include oil changes, battery checks, cooling system maintenance, and keeping your equipment clean.

Warm Up and Cool Down the Engine

When you’re planning to operate your equipment in the heat of the day, it can help to be strategic about how you warm up and cool down the engine. Allow the engine to idle for a few minutes before you get started and after you’re done. Running the engine through phases of power can reduce the risk of damage to engine components. 

Between tasks, think about where you’ll park your equipment, too. It might be better to park it in a protected space during peak sunlight hours to allow the engine to keep cool between work. 

Taking care of yourself and your equipment during the summer heat is important. Make sure you stay hydrated and fueled while you monitor the performance of your equipment. If you experience breakdowns, our team at Castongia Tractor will be here to help. We offer on-farm service support and have a wide range of parts stocked at each of our Northwest Indiana locations. Call or visit us in Crown Point, DeMotte, Fowler, Rensselaer, or Valparaiso.