GUIDELINES FOR SNOWMOBILE TRAIL
           GROOMER OPERATOR TRAINING


A Resource Guide for Trail Grooming Managers and Equipment Operators:


Chapter 5 - Maintaining Grooming Equipment
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Preventative Maintenance:
The place for grooming equipment is out on the trails working – not sitting in a service shop waiting for parts or broken down out on the trail with a failed component that was not properly maintained. There are enough things that can go wrong through normal grooming operations without aggravating the problems with a lack of due care.

The key to ensuring that downtime and emergency repairs are kept to an absolute minimum, and that the equipment remains safe to operate, is establishing a comprehensive preventative maintenance program. As noted earlier, it is far easier to preserve what you have than to restore what you’ve lost.

Regardless of the type of maintenance being performed, there are four elements to the work that need to be addressed:

Four Elements to Preventative Maintenance

1. Inspection.
A great deal can be learned about the condition of a vehicle by carefully looking, listening, smelling, and feeling. While general overall surveillance is important, the areas where failures commonly occur should be identified and the inspection criteria and methods detailed. A good operator does not necessarily have to be a good mechanic. But a good operator does need to be observant and aware of their machine’s sounds and appearances.

2. Lubrication.
Ensuring that lubricating fluids are fresh and full is extremely important for tracked vehicles. As well as lubricating, installing fresh lubricants will displace water, dirt, and spent lubricant which has accumulated in places it shouldn’t be.

3. Adjustment.
Tracked vehicles have a number of adjustments that can compensate for wear and changes in alignment. Ensuring that mechanical adjustments are made to maintain specific characteristics is the best way to prevent nuisance failures in the field that can have serious consequences for the operator.

4. Repair.
Any part or system found to be damaged, worn out, or otherwise not doing its job must be promptly and fully repaired by a qualified individual.




            Next Section - Types of Maintenance
 

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