How To Maintain Your Transmission
When it comes to your heavy-duty equipment, you will be hard-pressed to find a part more complex component than the transmission. Maintaining your transmission is critical to the longevity of your equipment and ensuring it is operating at its best performance, saving you time and money.
We are here to explain how you can detect transmission issues early on, as well as best maintenance practices and when it’s time to opt for a full replacement.
Signs of a Failing Transmission
There are several potential signs of transmission issues. Issues with shiftability, including trouble getting into gear and problems with the clutch such as clutch slipping, are common when your transmission is starting to fail. Similarly, burnt oil smells and rattling or grinding noises can be the result of a failing transmission.
Also, be sure to look out for fluid leaks. As the transmission is such a vital part of your equipment, the fluid is normally red so you can easily distinguish it from other fluid leaks.
Your machine management system warning lights and fault codes will also be a good indication of a potential problem with your transmission.
If you notice a sign, even one you feel is relatively minor, do not ignore it. Issues with your transmission will quickly progress into catastrophic issues that shut down your equipment if ignored, so it is vital to address these issues immediately.
How to Maintain Your Transmission
The first step to maintaining any piece of equipment should be to refer to your OEM manual. This will give you the exact information you need to keep your transmission well maintained.
One of the best things you can do to ensure a healthy transmission is to regularly inspect the cooling system. Heat is a transmission’s worse enemy, as it can cause oxidation in the transmission fluid which thickens the oil. This makes the equipment more sluggish, less efficient and can lead to damage later down the line.
Keeping the oil clean is also a must. Contaminants in the oil, such as dust and dirt are common on construction sites, and can reduce efficiency and the lifetime of your equipment if left unchecked. Maintaining oil filters is an essential way to protect your transmission from small particulates and keep it running most efficiently.
When you Should Replace Your Transmission
Your transmission isn’t made to last forever, and knowing when it needs replacing can save you a lot of hassle trying to fix the problems an old transmission can cause. The best way to know when transmissions should be replaced is by keeping track of your equipment’s maintenance schedule and identifying duty life cycles.
Conducting an oil analysis as outlined in your OEM manual will also provide guidance on when to change oil and when the transmission itself needs replacing. Even if you believe your transmission is still working well enough, small problems can snowball very quickly into system failures that put your heavy-duty equipment out of action.
At Jaytrac, we have over 25 years experience in supplying replacement parts for heavy-duty equipment, including transmissions for Caterpillar , Komatsu and Volvo machines. To find out more about our range of products and how we can supply you, get in touch today using our online enquiry form, or call us on 01604 491 133, or email us at sales@jaytrac.co.uk.