Long-Term Storage of Excavators and Wheel Loaders: Lay-Up and Restart Checklist

🛒 Buy Caterpillar 950 Loader Tooth (DM)

An excavator or wheel loader parked for months without a plan often comes back with a flat battery, stale fuel, rusted cylinder rods and water in the oil. A short lay-up checklist prevents most of that. TTRMCO wrote this guide for contractors who park machines between projects or through the wet season.

Before parking

Clean it

Wash mud from the undercarriage, engine bay and joints. Construction Business Owner puts a full clean first on its storage list, because dried mud holds moisture against steel.

Park it right

Firm level ground, boom fully lowered, bucket flat on the ground and all controls in neutral. That takes pressure off cylinders and hoses.

Protect the rods

Coat exposed cylinder rods with a light film of grease. Rust on a rod tears the seal the first time it moves.

Fuel

Fill the tank to reduce condensation and add a fuel stabiliser; add anti-gel if cold weather is possible.

Oils and filters

If a service is due soon, change engine oil and filters first. Used oil carries acids and water that attack internal parts during idle months.

Battery

Disconnect the negative cable or use a maintenance charger. A flat battery can freeze in winter.

Bucket wear parts

Lay-up is the best time to replace worn teeth, adapters and corners, so the machine is ready for the next job.

Task table

Restart routine

1. Check engine oil, hydraulic oil and coolant levels.
2. Wipe grease off cylinder rods so grit does not stick.
3. Check belt tension and that guards are in place.
4. Start and idle until warm, then cycle every cylinder slowly a few times.
5. Grease all points (greasing guide).

Have spare teeth ready

If the machine goes straight to heavy work, keep a set of teeth on hand. Popular choices: CAT 950 tooth DM, CAT 950 tooth ZF and Komatsu PC200 tooth DM.

FAQ

How often should I start a stored machine?

Follow the manual. Many owners run the engine every few weeks until fully warm; short starts without warming add moisture to the oil.

Full or empty fuel tank?

Full, with stabiliser. A half-empty tank collects more condensation.

Should I replace worn teeth before storage?

Yes. A tooth worn to the end damages the adapter on the next job.

Is a tarp enough?

A roof or shed is better. A tarp tight against the body traps moisture; leave ventilation if you use one.

Order from TTRMCO

Not sure which part fits? Send a photo of the old part next to a tape measure, plus your machine model. TTRMCO has more than 30 years in road-construction and mining wear parts and is the official dealer of DM and ZF in Iran. Every DM and ZF part ships with a breakage and authenticity warranty, and we export to neighbouring countries.

• Phone: +98 21 91001357
• Mobile / WhatsApp: +98 912 577 7516
• Website: ttrm.ir