Winter brings unpredictable challenges for foundation drill rig operations – often forcing workers to face worksite stressors that result in downtime, equipment malfunctions, and safety risks. Whether you’re up against icy grounds, freezing temperatures, or slippery surfaces; outfitting your equipment and crew for the winter can help your operations avoid hitting a standstill.
How Cold Winter Affects Drilling Equipment & Operators
Keeping both your crew and equipment safe in harsh climates is crucial to safeguarding your operations. Failing to do so puts you at risk for serious equipment malfunctions or unnecessary injuries down the line.
How winter affects operators:
- Increased Safety Risks: icy and slippery surfaces around the drill site pose risks for slips, trips, and falls.
- Visibility: fogging, icing, and shorter daylight hours affect the line of sight.
How winter affects equipment:
- Increased Wear & Tear: harsh climates accelerate wear and tear of equipment parts.
- Ground Conditions: drilling becomes more difficult and time-consuming on frozen or icy ground – putting extra strain on drilling equipment.
- Fluid Thickening: hydraulic oil and lubricants become thicker, increasing fuel consumption and putting extra pressure on the equipment’s hydraulic system.
3 Tips for Maximizing Your Drilling Efforts
With both equipment and operators being affected by winter, you’ll want to take the necessary steps to avoid facing unnecessary challenges.
#1 Winterize Your Equipment
Effective winterization for foundation drilling equipment couples both preventative and ongoing maintenance. Failure to winterize your equipment may result in dangerous worksite incidents or possible malfunction of the rig and its parts.
Batteries
Using battery warmers or storing them in a warm environment helps maintain optimal operating temperature. To reduce their chance of malfunctioning, you can also have them tested before starting the job – as well as making sure the battery terminals are free of corrosion.
Warming Systems
As the temperature drops, your crew will be facing cold conditions that affect their ability to focus. To ensure their comfort, or prevent them from making a costly mistake, you’ll want to ensure the in-cab air-conditioning units are in good working order.
Fluid Checks
You’ll also want to increase the rate you make your fluid checks to ensure that proper fuel and oil levels are constantly maintained. Lower temperatures cause fluids to be consumed at a greater rate, and depending on your job’s scope, the variable costs of fuel can create an unexpected expense that will affect your overall profits.
#2 Inspect Your Equipment
Keeping an eye on your equipment ensures you solve the small problems before they become too big to handle. Before starting the task at hand, you should perform pre-operational inspections to ensure good overall working order of your equipment.
This pre-operational inspection includes:
- Equipment access
- Clear visibility from the operator’s position
- Operating and emergency controls
- Safety switches and interlocks
- Brakes, and brake control systems.
When surveying other components of your equipment, such as tracks, teeth, augers, Kelly Bars and other tooling, you’ll want to scan for any cracks or worn-down areas. Additionally, cold weather may make wiring brittle and more susceptible to damage. Regularly check electrical connections and wiring for any signs of wear or breakage and replace them as necessary.
#3 Keep Your Team Safe
Human skin begins to freeze when the temperature drops below 32 degrees F (0 degrees C), resulting in frostbite. Exposure to extreme cold can also lead to hypothermia and trench foot. In such grueling conditions, keeping your crew safe from the harsh climates is crucial to overall jobsite success. For ensuring your team’s safety, follow these work practices:
- Dress properly; wear insulated gloves and boots, and always cover your head.
- Monitor your physical condition and that of your coworkers.
- Stay dry and pack extra clothes.
- Take frequent breaks in warm, dry areas.
The Right Equipment for the Job
Ready to maximize your foundation drilling efforts this winter? Give Blaze Equipment a call to speak with our team of experienced drill rig operators and technicians who will help you get the best out of the upcoming season!