Autumn has arrived, and winter is not far behind. As an owner of a pile driver, are you fully aware of the maintenance required for your pile driver in winter? Reflecting on past winters, let's address some common misconceptions:

Mistake 1: Improper Starting Method

Serious consequence: Severe damage to the machine.

In winter, some drivers adopt an abnormal starting method of starting the diesel engine without water (starting first, then adding cooling water) to quickly initiate the engine. This approach can cause serious damage to the machine and should be prohibited. The correct preheating method is to first cover the water tank with an insulating blanket, open the water release valve, and continuously inject 60-70°C clean soft water into the water tank. When the water flowing out of the valve feels hot to the touch, close the valve, fill the tank with 90-100°C clean soft water, and crank the engine to properly lubricate the moving parts before starting.

Mistake 2: Operating Under Load in Low Temperatures

Serious consequence: Causes severe wear to the machine.

After starting the diesel engine, some drivers hastily begin operating under load. A diesel engine that has just started in low ambient temperatures, with its high oil viscosity and inability to adequately lubricate the moving parts, can cause severe wear. Additionally, components like the plunger spring, valve spring, and injector spring are prone to breaking due to “cold brittleness.” Therefore, after starting a diesel engine in winter, it should idle at low to medium speed for a few minutes until the cooling water temperature reaches 60°C before beginning load operations.

Mistake 3: Neglecting Engine Insulation

Serious consequence: Reduced working life and engine damage.

Low winter temperatures can lead to excessive cooling of the diesel engine during operation. Therefore, insulation is key to effectively using a diesel engine in winter. In northern regions, diesel engines used in winter should be equipped with insulation covers, curtains, and other cold-weather equipment. Additionally, the thermostat plays an important role in warming up the engine during operation. It's essential to check the functionality of the thermostat before winter and replace it if it's not working properly.