April 19, 2021
Critical safety and maintenance for bolts when shifting from cold to high seasons
Operating or even transporting inadequately bolted equipment is extremely dangerous, with severe risk of falling or detaching parts (including tires), as well as loose bolts flying off equipment en route at projectile speeds.
It is essential that you check the bolts on your equipment for the following SIX ISSUES every time you are preparing to deploy or transport.
1. Ensure that
all bolts into the mast are present and securely fastened.
2. Ensure that
all bolts for the hitch are present and securely fastened.
3. Ensure that
all bolts for the trailer hitch pole or tongue are present and securely fastened.
4. Ensure that
all tire nuts are present and securely fastened.
5. Torque lug nuts at 90-120 ft-lb (122-167 N.m.), in the correct order, following the appropriate star pattern sequence, until tight.
Torque mast bolts at 64 ft-lb (88.8 N.m.) Torque pole bolts at 75 ft-lb (101 N.m.)6. If operating equipment that uses a winch, ensure
all bolts attaching the cable to the winch are present and securely fastened.
