Happy fall, y’all

Words: Jennifer MorrellAs we usher in fall, our first thoughts go to the staples of the season: football games; leaves turning shades of red, orange and brown; and — oh yes — winterizing your jobsite.

Winterizing your jobsite and equipment is no joke. Faulty, frozen equipment can be dangerous, and you don’t want to risk having your jobsite tools and equipment ruined by the elements.

Masonry magazine offers the following advice for keeping your work area and equipment operational and safe in winter. You can read the entire article at www.masonrymagazine.com/1-03/winter.html.

One piece of equipment you will be using in cold weather is the mortar mixer. Follow normal maintenance procedures throughout the year, and keep your mixer clean and properly maintained. Consider spraying your mixer prior to every use with concrete form oil or any type of environmentally safe oil, to help prevent mortar buildup and to allow accumulated ice to dislodge easier.

During freezing or near-freezing temperatures, change engine oil for a lower viscosity or a lower multiple viscosity, such as 5W-20. Store equipment inside a warm building when not in use. Under extreme conditions, start the engine and allow it to idle, while the equipment is being transported to the jobsite. Warm up all hydraulic equipment before use to prevent damage to the controls and lines, as cold hydro oil is thick and will resist a system.

Frozen precipitation brings its own brand of safety considerations for drivers. First and foremost, watch your traction. When driving the forklift on an ice-covered hill or road, assure appropriate traction exists for steering and stopping. And, remember the “three-point” rule: One foot and both hands must always be on the grips and steps.

As the temperatures drop, the need for safety heightens. Bear this in mind in all that you do on the jobsite. We wish you a happy and safe fall.
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