If you operate a construction business, winter can be particularly troublesome, especially where your heavy equipment is concerned. Freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on your equipment. Unfortunately, problems with your equipment can put you out of work for a while. To make sure your heavy equipment doesn't face serious winter damage, here are four steps you should follow.

Take Care With Your Batteries

When it comes to your batteries, you've got to take steps to keep them warm. Frozen batteries can lead to a variety of problems. First, frozen batteries won't provide you with the power you need to start your equipment in the morning. Second, freezing temperatures shorten the lifespan of your heavy-duty batteries. To make sure your batteries don't endure damage associated with freezing temperatures, remove them at close of business each day and store them in a warm location.

Utilize Engine Warmers

If overnight temperatures tend to dip below freezing on a regular basis, you need to make sure that your engines don't get too cold. Like your personal vehicle, your heavy equipment won't start if the engine is too cold. To make sure your engines will start, even when the temperatures reach freezing, utilize engine warmers for all your heavy equipment. Engine warmers work by thawing out the engine block so that your equipment will start up even on the coldest days.

Clear the Air Intakes Each Day

When you're operating your heavy equipment during severe winter weather, ice, and moisture can build up in the air intake valves. The ice might melt during operation, but as soon as you stop the engine, it will freeze back up again, causing severe damage during overnight storage. To avoid winter problems with your air intake valves, be sure to clean them out at the close of business each day.

Give Your Tires Extra Attention

Winter can be particularly detrimental to the tires on your heavy equipment. Because of that, you should give them some extra attention.

Switch to Nitrogen

If you use ordinary air in your heavy equipment tires, you need to switch to dry nitrogen, especially during the winter. Ordinary air can cause the tire pressure to fluctuate during severe winter weather, which can interfere with safety and performance. However, you won't have that problem when you switch to dry nitrogen. That's because dry nitrogen isn't affected by temperature changes.

Get Them Off the Ground

If you store your heavy equipment outside during the winter, you need to get the tires off the ground. During severe winter weather, the tires can freeze to the ground. To avoid that, always park on equipment lifts during the winter. The lifts, or planks, will help you avoid problems with frozen tires.