GMINT Excavator Winter Emergency Guide: Help Your "Iron Comrade" Get Through the Winter Safely

The cold wave has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere, and low temperatures have become an "invisible killer" for excavator operations—data shows that 80% of excavator malfunctions occur in winter! Can your "iron comrade" withstand the test of ice and snow? This GMINT excavator-specific emergency guide covers everything from troubleshooting and safe operation to emergency rescue, helping you become a "snow warrior" in winter construction and making winter operations safer!

I. High-Frequency Winter Malfunctions: Precise Solutions, Targeted Solutions

In low-temperature environments, excavator engine oil, hydraulic oil, fuel, etc., are easily affected, causing various malfunctions. Master GMINT's exclusive solutions to quickly restore equipment performance.

1. Difficulty Starting the Engine: The Core is "Preheating + Battery Protection"

   Root Causes: Low temperatures cause engine oil viscosity to soar, increasing lubrication resistance; battery activity decreases, drastically reducing its storage capacity; diesel fuel flow deteriorates, resulting in poor atomization.

   GMINT Solution:

   - Before starting, prioritize checking the GMINT-specific preheating system to ensure the fuel heater and intake air preheater are functioning properly. If necessary, activate the preheating function for 3-5 minutes.

   - Switch to winter-specific diesel. If regular diesel has been used, add GMINT-recommended anti-gelling agent to improve low-temperature fluidity.

   - Check battery voltage and charge status. Replace aging batteries with high-capacity, low-temperature batteries promptly. In extreme weather, connect an external jump starter for assistance.

2. Slow Hydraulic System Response: Key Lies in "Oil Change + Preheating"

   Root Cause: Low temperatures cause a sharp increase in hydraulic oil viscosity, slowing its circulation within the pipeline and reducing the hydraulic pump's oil suction efficiency, resulting in delayed operational response.

   GMINT Solution:

   - Immediately replace with GMINT-specific cryogenic hydraulic oil, ensuring it meets the requirements for extremely cold operating conditions above -20℃;

   - Do not operate immediately after startup. Maintain idle speed for 5-10 minutes while slowly operating each control lever to allow the hydraulic oil to circulate and warm up fully;

   - Check the hydraulic oil filter weekly. Replace it promptly if clogged with impurities to avoid affecting system pressure transmission.

3. Track/Tire Slippage and Freezing: The key is "protection + thawing"

   Root Cause: Insufficient traction on icy or snowy surfaces, leading to slippage during operation or movement; ice easily forms at the contact point between the tracks and the ground after shutdown, causing jamming during startup.

   GMINT Solutions:

   - When operating, choose flat surfaces and avoid stopping in icy, steep areas;

   - Before stopping the machine, park the tracks/tires on dry ground, or place wooden planks or special antifreeze mats to isolate them from ice and snow to prevent freezing;

   - If the tracks are frozen, do not forcibly start the equipment to tow it. Use GMINT's special defrosting agent to spray, or slowly thaw them with warm water below 40℃ (avoid high-temperature damage to components).

4. Fuel System Waxing: The key is "prevention + unblocking"

   Root Cause: Ordinary diesel fuel easily releases wax below 0℃, clogging the fuel filter and fuel lines, leading to fuel supply interruption.

   GMINT Solutions:

   - When the temperature is below 5℃, replace with the appropriate grade of winter diesel fuel in advance to ensure "winter fuel for winter use";

   - Before long-distance operation or nighttime shutdown, add an appropriate amount of anti-gelling agent to the fuel tank to lower the wax precipitation temperature;

   - If wax blockage has already occurred, turn off the engine and turn on the fuel system heating device (standard on some GMINT models). After the temperature rises, replace the fuel filter and drain the accumulated wax from the lines.

II. Safety Tips for Ice and Snow Operations: Detailed Protection, Eliminating Risks Safety is paramount in winter construction. From daily inspections to shutdown protection, every step must be taken seriously. This is not only a responsibility to the equipment but also a guarantee of personnel safety.

1. Daily "Full Body Check": Before starting, focus on checking the antifreeze level and freezing point (ensuring it is at least 10°C          below the local minimum temperature), engine oil level and viscosity, battery terminal tightness, lights (especially fog lights and turn  signals), and braking system sensitivity. Only proceed with operations after confirming there are no abnormalities.

2. "Steady Operation First": Avoid sharp turns, sudden braking, and abrupt boom lifts. Slow down when rotating to prevent the equipment from skidding or becoming unstable on icy or snowy roads.

3. "Precise Protection" During Shutdown: Prioritize indoor parking at night. If outdoor parking is unavoidable, cover critical components such as the engine and hydraulic tank with a GMINT-specific insulation cover. Simultaneously, lower the bucket and partially extend the tracks to reduce the risk of icing.

4. "Emergency Kit": Include essential items such as snow chains, an emergency jump starter, an ice scraper, and diesel anti-gelling agent. Also, equip the vehicle with a first-aid kit and warm clothing to handle emergencies.

III. Emergency Repair: Three-Step Approach for Safety and Efficiency

If your excavator experiences a sudden malfunction while operating in the field, remain calm and follow these steps to avoid secondary accidents and buy time for subsequent rescue.

Core Principle: Safety First, Then Investigate the Fault; Do Not Disassemble Unauthorizedly!

1. Immediately Stop the Machine and Avoid Danger: Quickly disconnect the engine power, turn off the main power switch, and park the equipment in a safe, flat location away from the work area.

2. Initial Fault Diagnosis: Focus on checking the oil system (for wax buildup and leaks), electrical system (for ice on battery terminals and loose wiring), and hydraulic system (for frozen pipes and normal oil levels). Record the symptoms of the malfunction.

3. Set Up Warning and Call for Assistance: Place a warning triangle 50 meters around the equipment, activate the hazard warning lights, and immediately contact the GMINT after-sales service hotline, providing the equipment model, a description of the malfunction, and the specific location. Wait for professional rescue.

Equipment maintenance is crucial during winter construction. Save and share this GMINT excavator winter emergency guide to keep your "steel comrade-in-arms" in top condition, calmly cope with the challenges of ice and snow, safely get through the winter, and carry out construction efficiently!