How to Properly Maintain Your Asphalt Paving Equipment

Summary: Proper off-season maintenance of your asphalt paving equipment is key to keeping it in top condition and ready for the next paving season. During the slower cold months, you can take the time to thoroughly clean, inspect, and repair your paving machines without disrupting production. This proactive approach helps prevent costly breakdowns, extends equipment life, and ensures peak performance when work ramps back up in the spring.

Paving work often slows dramatically as temperatures and daylight hours dip. In late fall and winter, your paving equipment isn’t in service every day—giving you a window to perform some crucial paving equipment upkeep.

The winter months are the perfect time to focus on inspections, maintenance, and repair of your paving equipment. Keep reading to learn how to extend the life and performance of your machine and get ready for the spring rush with proper maintenance.

Why is Late Fall and Winter a Great Time for Asphalt Paving Machine Maintenance?

We all know that regular maintenance is essential to keep paving equipment performing its best for as long as possible. But trying to accomplish maintenance tasks during times of high demand is a recipe for stress.

During the spring and early fall, your asphalt paving equipment are out on the roads every day. The moderate temperatures and longer days are ideal conditions for accomplishing heavy-duty roadwork tasks. But those long, hard-working days can take a toll. That’s why it’s important to use your time wisely when temperatures and workload start to dip.

Follow up your busy season with a comprehensive maintenance and service plan that addresses small wear-and-tear issues before they become big problems. You’ll be ready to tackle big projects when the weather turns and have peace of mind that your paving machines can handle whatever comes their way. Here’s why winter is a great time for maintenance:

• Off-Season Downtime: You and your crews have more time to focus on tending to your machines without worry that you’re interrupting tight work schedules.
• Prep for the Spring Rush: start your spring paving season with machines that are ready to do the tough jobs—and avoid expensive delays with preventative maintenance.
• Extend equipment life: Cold weather maintenance protects engines and hydraulics from freezing and extends the overall service life of your paving equipment
• Easier Scheduling for Parts and Service: Dealerships and service shops are typically less busy in winter. This means faster turnaround times for repairs and easier access to technicians and parts.
• Safety and Compliance: Inspect and update safety systems and verify compliance with DOT or OSHA standards before work picks up, making your jobsites safer.
• Upgrades and Training: Winter is the perfect time to install technology upgrades and train your team on how to use them—setting you up for a more efficient busy season.

How Do I Effectively Maintain My Asphalt Paving Equipment?

Off season maintenance differs from regular maintenance in its approach and focus. While daily maintenance tasks are centered around keeping your paving machine operational, off-season maintenance is concerned with deep inspection, component rebuilding, and long-term protection. Here’s a breakdown of what’s required for off-season asphalt paving equipment maintenance:

Deep cleaning and detailed inspection: This step is aimed at identifying issues that are impossible to catch during a busy paving season.

• Remove and clean guards, hoppers, and covers to inspect hidden areas.
• Check welds, hoses, belts, and electrical lines for cracks, frays, or corrosion.
• Inspect undercarriage and hydraulic system for leaks or damage.

Replace or rebuild critical components: After pinpointing problems, it’s time to restore your paving equipment to near-new condition before the next paving season.

• Rebuild or replace major wear components — screed plates, augers, chain flights, bearings, and bushings.
• Flush hydraulic systems and replace filters and seals.
• • Inspect and service engine components (injectors, alternator, starter).

Protect, store, and winterize: Wrap up maintenance with protective measures that prevent rust, corrosion, and cold-weather damage while in storage

• Speed: Rust, dirt, debris, and corrosion can all slow down your equipment. Keeping it clean and ready to work improves performance speed which keeps your timeline on schedule.
• Performance: Your machine will run more efficiently and use less fuel,
• Power: Paving involves heavy lifting in high heat. Regular maintenance ensures your equipment has the power to do the tough jobs.
• Longer life: Paving machines are high-value investments in your business. Maintenance protects your investment by extending the life of your machine.

Simplify Your Paving Machine Maintenance with Yancey

If you’re struggling to find time to complete an in-depth maintenance routine, Yancey is here to support you. We have locations across Georgia along with the largest parts inventory and distribution network in the state. Our team of 500+ highly trained service technicians are ready to help you with cost-effective and in-depth maintenance at any level. Find a service center today.