Cold-Weather Equipment Operation

Cold weather thickens fluids, drains batteries, ices windows and steps, and makes steel brittle. Machines respond slowly, controls feel different and operators are less alert. Starting and running equipment safely in winter takes extra time, preparation and attention to ice and slippery footing.

• Construction
• Equipment
• Winter

Get in and out safely

• Ice and snow on steps, handrails and tracks cause many injuries. Clear them before climbing, and keep boots clean of snow and mud. Use three points of contact and face the machine. See Equipment Basics.
• Never jump from the cab. Step down carefully, and use ice cleats where appropriate. See Ice Cleats and Slips, Trips & Falls.
• Wear gloves that give you a grip on cold steel. Bare skin can stick to very cold metal.
• Knock snow and ice off the hood, roof and equipment before moving, since falling ice can hit people and block vision.

Pre-start and warm-up

• Walk around the machine. Check for ice, leaks (fluids may leak more in cold), tire and track condition, frozen fittings, and damage. See Equipment Basics.
• Warm up the engine as the manual directs. Cold engines run rough, and thick oil takes time to lubricate parts. Idle at low speed until the engine runs smoothly.
• Warm the hydraulic system. Cold hydraulic fluid is thick, so controls respond slowly and pumps can be damaged. Operate controls gently at first, cycling the cylinders through light movements until the fluid warms up. Don’t put full load on a cold system. See Hydraulic Hazards.
• Check brakes, steering and lights as they warm up, and be aware that stopping and turning take longer on slick surfaces.
• Clear glass and mirrors completely of ice, snow and fog before moving. Use defrosters, and don’t drive with a small peephole.
• Confirm that the backup alarm, horn and lights work in the cold, and clear snow from lights and sensors.

Fuel, batteries and starting aids

• Diesel fuel can gel in cold weather, clogging filters. Use winter-grade diesel or the right additive, keep tanks full to reduce condensation and use fuel heaters if equipped. Water in fuel can freeze.
• Batteries lose power in the cold, and a weak battery may not start the engine. Keep batteries charged, clean and in good condition. See Jump-Starting Equipment & Vehicles and Battery Safety.
• Block heaters, oil pan heaters and battery warmers help starting. Use GFCI-protected cords rated for outdoor use, keep them out of water and snow, and unplug them before moving. Damaged cords are shock and fire hazards. See Extension Cords and GFCI.
• Starting fluid (ether) is extremely flammable. Used with a glow plug or intake grid heater, it can explode and damage the engine or injure people. Use it only if the manual allows, in tiny controlled bursts, and never on engines with intake heaters. Never spray it near flames or sparks. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
• Don’t use open flames, torches or heat guns to warm engines, hydraulic lines or fuel tanks. See Temporary Heaters.
• Refuel safely and keep spills off steps. See Equipment Fueling.

Operating on snow, ice and frozen ground

• Reduce speed and increase following distance. Steel tracks and tires slip on ice and packed snow, and loaded machines are harder to stop.
• Be careful on slopes and ramps. Machines can slide sideways or rollover on icy slopes, and loading and unloading from trailers is risky on ice. See Slopes & Unstable Ground, Equipment Rollovers and Loading & Unloading Trailers.
• Use chains, studded tires, grousers or traction aids where appropriate.
• Frozen ground can hide hazards like holes, ditches, utilities and soft spots, and it thaws and weakens quickly. Mark edges, hydrants and obstacles. See Frozen Ground & Winter Excavation.
• Snow banks and drifts can hide people and objects. Use spotters and keep workers out of the machine’s path. See Backing & Spotters.
• Watch for whiteout, blowing snow and short daylight. Use lights, and stop work if visibility is too low.
• Cold makes steel brittle, so avoid shock loading buckets, hooks and chains.

Carbon monoxide and enclosed spaces

• Never run engines in closed garages, shops or tents without ventilation. Carbon monoxide builds up quickly. See Carbon Monoxide.
• Cab heaters need good exhaust systems. Check for leaks, and open a vent if the cab smells of exhaust. Don’t sleep in a running machine.

Operator cold stress

• Dress in layers, with insulated boots and gloves, and keep a spare dry set. See Cold Weather Clothing.
• Take warm-up breaks, drink warm fluids and know the signs of hypothermia and frostbite: shivering, confusion, numb or waxy skin. See Cold Stress.
• Cold hands and feet reduce control. Use heated cabs, and don’t let operators work when too cold to operate safely.

Cold-weather start checklist

• Steps, rails, glass, lights and mirrors cleared of snow and ice
• Engine and hydraulics warmed up gradually; controls tested gently
• Winter-grade fuel, charged battery, safe heater cords and no open flames
• Starting fluid used only as the manual allows
• Speed reduced; traction aids used; edges, slopes and hidden hazards marked
• Engine exhaust vented; operator dressed warmly with breaks planned

Last updated: October 4, 2026