We sell a lot of machines to first-time owners, and the single biggest difference between one that lasts and one that gives you grief isn’t the brand or the price. It’s whether the owner does a few basic things consistently. Here’s the whole routine in one place so you can screenshot it and actually use it. None of it takes long.
Before you start (5 minutes):
Quick walkaround. Look under the machine for leaks, check for loose or damaged hoses, spot anything obviously off.
Check fluids on level ground. Engine oil, hydraulic oil, coolant. Check hydraulic level in the position your manual specifies, not just however it’s parked.
Grease the pins and bushings. The most skipped job and the most important. Daily on a working machine, sometimes twice under heavy use. Ten minutes protects the expensive parts.
Glance at the tracks. Check tension and condition, clear any packed mud or rock from the undercarriage.
Check the air filter on dusty jobs. Clogs fast, and a choked filter kills power and fuel economy.
During the day:
Let it warm up before working hard. Watch your gauges. If temps climb or a warning shows, stop and look instead of pushing through.
End of the day:
Knock off the big mud and debris, especially around the undercarriage and engine. Quick glance for anything that loosened or started leaking. Park on solid, level ground.
Weekly, on top of the daily:
Check the battery, clean the radiator and oil cooler fins, and go over hoses and fittings more closely.
.
