Chances are that throughout your life of driving a vehicle you’ve noticed slight differences in the way in which it operates during set seasons.
These differences, many of which can be common regardless of the type of vehicle or machinery, are worth making note of, especially if that vehicle or piece of machinery is integral to the operations of your business.
Heat
When you live in Australia, heat is the key weather condition most of us have to endure. But extreme heat can also lead to overheating engines in both vehicles and the type of machinery you may find in industrial and mining environments. Yes, radiators help to cool the engine, but in high temperatures even this may not be enough; especially if your radiator is in need of some maintenance.
If your machinery operates within an enclosed environment, then you could moderate the temperature with air conditioning. Failing to have some means to keep temperatures under control, especially when you have machinery that can emit its own large amount of heat during operation, could prove not only problematic for the machinery at hand, but it could also lead to staff feeling ill and overwhelmed by climbing temperatures.
It’s also important to properly maintain your vehicles, take them in for regular repairs / check-ups, otherwise problems could occur that would impact on your vehicle’s ability to better regulate engine heat. But be mindful of the fact that no matter how well maintained your vehicle is, no matter how brand-spanking new the radiator is, extreme heat can still lead to a vehicle’s engine overheating.
Cold
On the other end of the scale, cold conditions can be both beneficial and problematic for vehicles and machinery. On the positive end, cooler conditions typically cater for smoother operations as machinery and engines are far less likely to overheat. This is commonly why IT teams work in air conditioned environments – it’s not just for employee comfort, but also because computers run better in cooler areas.
The same applies to basically any vehicle or machinery. However, the extreme cold can conversely impact on proper operations. Think of an old car where it may take several attempts to turn on the ignition, and once it’s running you may need to leave the engine running for a few minutes so it can warm up. Even popular construction machinery company Caterpillar provides advice on how to better operate its vehicles/machinery during winter, including initially blocking the radiator so the engine can heat up more effectively.
Ultimately, the way in which the extreme heat can pose potential problems once the engine is running, the cold weather poses problems with getting the engine to run. Again, it’s about keeping your machinery/engine in order, as well as observing any tips or operational advice offered for the specific vehicle or machinery that’s been provided by the manufacturer.
In what other ways do varying weather conditions impact on the functional operation of vehicles and machinery? Be sure to share your tips or advice with us in the comments below.
