As another winter season approaches, now is the time to start thinking about how to maintain your snowplow equipment. Hydraulic systems are integral to the performance of snowplows, and proper maintenance will ensure that your equipment is ready to go when the first storm hits.

Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Check Your Fluid Levels

Before you do anything else, it’s important to check the hydraulic fluid levels in your snowplow equipment. Low fluid levels can cause several problems, including reduced performance and shortened component life.

Change Your Hydraulic Fluid

If it’s been more than a year since you last changed your hydraulic fluid, now is the time to do it. Over time, hydraulic fluid can become contaminated with water and debris, which can cause corrosion and other problems. To be on the safe side, it’s best to change your fluid at least once per year.

Inspect Your Hoses

Next, take a close look at all the hoses in your system for signs of wear or damage. Cracks, leaks, and kinks can all lead to big problems down the road. If you notice any damage, replace the affected hose as soon as possible.

Once you’ve inspected all the hoses, it’s time to check for leaks in the system. Even a small leak can cause serious problems, so it’s important to Identify a leak in a timeline manner.

Perform General Maintenance Tasks

Once you’ve made all the necessary repairs and replacements, it’s time to test your system to make sure everything is working properly. The best way to do this is to run through all the functions that your system will need to perform during an actual snowfall – lifting, lowering, angling – and make sure that each function is working correctly.

In addition to hydraulic-specific maintenance tasks, it’s also important to perform general maintenance tasks such as greasing moving parts, checking for loose bolts, and visually inspecting all components for damage or wear.