Why service a tractor unit regularly?
Your income depends on keeping your tractor unit on the road as much as possible, and a breakdown mid-route is a bad outcome.
As long as the engine turns over, the tyres look fine and the wheels are going round, why put the vehicle into a workshop where it earns you nothing?
Catching the early signs of failure keeps you out of trouble on the road and extends the life of the vehicle.
Neglecting maintenance usually ends up costing far more than what you save in the short term.
Reasons to service your vehicle regularly:
Legal: if you do not keep your truck in good condition and it is involved in a road accident, you can be in trouble.
Safety: a well-maintained vehicle is safer for the driver and for everyone else on the road. That not only cuts the risk of a claim, it raises the chance that everyone gets home safely.
Preventing serious failures and emergency repairs. Unplanned maintenance — after a breakdown or an accident — usually ends up more expensive than routine preventive servicing.
Maximising vehicle life: the longer your tractor unit lasts before you have to buy a new one, the lower your replacement cost.
Maximising your fleet: with a fleet of ten trucks, you can schedule preventive maintenance one truck at a time while the other nine stay loaded. That keeps every vehicle in good condition and maximises output.
Simple tractor-unit maintenance routines
As above, here are a few ways to keep your vehicle running at its best, so you can stay on the road and not worry about breaking down.
Five quick checks for looking after your tractor unit:
Change the oil regularly
Most drivers know they need to change the oil regularly, but it is surprising how many leave it until there is a serious problem.
Checking the oil level is easy, but you will not always remember to do a quick oil check, even during a pre-trip inspection.
It matters especially if the vehicle is new or if it has just done a long run.
Heavy vehicles need a considerable volume of oil, and skipping this vital lubricant can cause damage and expensive repairs.
On average the oil should be changed about every 15,000 km for the best efficiency and the lowest cost.
Take care to choose an oil of the right viscosity, so components are fully lubricated, drag is reduced and the engine works more efficiently.
Check the radiator
Temperature control is one of the things that keeps a tractor unit working hard for years with few failures.
One of the best ways to maintain the vehicle is to check the radiator before every new run.
Stay alert to the smallest fluid leak; it is important to look for coolant leaks daily or at the pre-trip inspection.
Be sure to check the radiator before any long trip, top up the coolant if needed, and deal quickly with any small leak you find, before it causes overheating and damages the engine.
Depending on the conditions of use, consider changing the coolant every seven months to a year, to stop the coolant turning acidic and corroding components.
Check the fuel vent
Check the air filter once a month and replace it if it is dirty.
Bees and other insects can nest in this area, so watch out. A blockage in the fuel vent does not only make the vehicle behave as if it has run out of fuel; in the end it also affects engine performance.
Check your brakes
Checking the brakes regularly is one of the ways to keep your tractor unit at its best.
Beyond the pre-trip inspection, checking whether the brakes are in good condition matters a great deal.
Whenever you hear an odd sound, a squeal, or feel an unusual vibration when braking, that is the moment to consult your mechanic.
Alternatively, checking things yourself is fine if you know the specifics of the braking system. Also consider how many tonnes you will be carrying on the next load, to be sure everything goes smoothly.
The vehicle is designed to carry heavy loads, but you must calculate carefully and carry within the permitted load, which keeps the vehicle durable and safe and avoids a fine.
Check your tyres regularly
Tyre pressure is also important to check, and it should be a daily job — more often if long trips are on the schedule.
For a tractor unit as for any vehicle on the road, the tyres are the only thing in direct contact with the road surface, and the whole weight of the vehicle rests on them. The tyres must be in the best condition for the journey to stay safe.
Tyre pressure varies with the weather and with driving at high speed on the motorway. Under-inflated tyres can slow the vehicle, raise fuel consumption and make it harder to handle. Over-inflated tyres are more prone to punctures and damage when driving over potholes. Check the correct pressure for your particular tyre brand.
You should also replace tyres after a period of use if they show signs of wear, especially if your vehicle runs long distances continuously.
Source: collected
