Working frozen ground without wrecking gear

[Alan]

Working on frozen ground can be a real challenge, especially when your bucket is bouncing and the blades are catching more than they should. You might find yourself wondering if you’re pushing your equipment too hard. What are some tricks you can use to navigate frozen terrain without putting your gear through the wringer?

 

[SacRed]

I used to just slam right into the frozen ground, and that's how I messed up a blade. Now, I just scratch the top a bit first then ease in slowly. It helps save the machine.

 

[IHeartedCase]

When I first started digging when it was winter, I thought going all out was the best way to do things. Then I snapped a tooth doing that. Now I scratch the surface first, warm things up, and keep the bucket at a small angle. Makes life easier when the ground is frozen.

 

[Rustinpeace]

Worked on a winter job once that shook me around so badly that I thought something would break. Now, I always let the machine warm up for a while first and dig at the crust little by little, and try not to dig in too deep at once. It takes longer, but at least the equipment doesn't break down and you don't have to waste money on repairs to get the job done.