Shop Talk Blog

It’s Not Just Your Equipment That Overheats

It’s not even 10 a.m. and your shirt’s already soaked through. The sun’s beating down, the air feels like soup, and there’s still eight hours to go. You’ve got work to do—but the heat isn’t just uncomfortable. It’s dangerous.

Most folks know that equipment can overheat in the summer. But what about you? Your body’s working just as hard as your machine—and if you ignore the signs of dehydration, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke, you’re gambling with more than downtime. You’re putting your health (and maybe even your life) on the line.

Let’s talk about how the heat hits you—and how to stay safer on the job—in this Shop Talk Blog post.

Here are a few other blog posts that might be helpful:

• Heat and Hydration
• Taking Charge of Your Safety: Precautions Against Heat When Working Outdoors

Our body works hard to keep itself at about 98.6 F. When exposed to heat for long periods, it will start experiencing complications. One way to prevent those problems is to stay hydrated.

We aren't the only things that can overheat in the summer! Here are some Shop Talk blog posts about overheating equipment:

• What Causes Hydraulic Fluid to Overheat
• How to Troubleshoot and Overheating Gearbox on a Final Drive
• 7 Quick Tips for Skid Steer Maintenance in Extreme Weather

Our body works hard to keep itself at about 98.6 F. When exposed to heat for long periods, it will start experiencing complications.

Many years ago, my brother-in-law worked for the water department in a small city here in Texas. James was a tough guy, used to working in the heat. One day, however, he overheated and suffered a heat stroke. My sister, also working for the city then, told us they’d stripped him to his underwear and poured ice and water over him after placing him in the bed of one of the city trucks. And let me clarify by saying that the truck bed was lined, so they didn’t add any skin burns to the heat stroke.

Here are five notoriously common issues that you can encounter with your final drive! Do you know how to troubleshoot them? 

Here are some other blog posts to help:

• Autopsy: Bobcat 331 Mini Excavator Final Drive (w/Video)
• Autopsy: Hy-Dash Final Drive Motor
• Autopsy: Kubota KX71-3 Final Drive