The Winter Uptime Playbook: Nine Five-minute Fixes That Keep Your Kit Moving

Cold mornings don't have to mean slow starts, callouts and missed lifts. Most winter issues are predictable - and preventable - with a few five-minute routines. This playbook gives operators and supervisors a simple set of quick fixes that cut downtime, keep machines healthy and make the day run smoother. Share it at your next briefing, stick it in the cab and make it part of the rhythm on site.

1. Start-up the smart way

On very cold days, give systems a moment to wake up. Cycle the ignition once to power the dash, wait for pre-heat or glow-plug indicators to clear, then start. Let the machine idle at low revs for 60-90 seconds before applying load so oil circulates and hydraulics stabilise.

2. Warm the hydraulics, not just the engine

Cold hydraulic oil makes booms sluggish and can trigger spurious warnings. With the machine secure and stabilisers (if fitted) deployed, feather the hydraulics through small controlled movements for one minute. You'll feel the response sharpen as oil warms and air pockets clear.

3. Keep DPF regens routine

Short, stop-start shifts and cold weather are a perfect recipe for soot build-up. Encourage operators to complete an uninterrupted regeneration when prompted. If a passive regen doesn't complete during normal work, plan a manual regen at a safe time. Five minutes now avoids a callout later.

4. Stop water-in-fuel before it starts

Condensation rises in winter. Bleed the water separator at the start of shift and watch for warning lamps through the day. If you see repeated water-in-fuel alerts, check fuel storage and caps. A quick drain and top-up with good fuel prevents injector damage and rough running.

5. Look after AdBlue (DEF)

AdBlue can crystallise around caps and lines in low temperatures. Wipe the cap clean, check for crusting and ensure the tank is at least a quarter full at the end of the day to reduce condensation. If a quality or level warning pops up, don't ignore it - two minutes of attention avoids derate.

6. Tyres, mirrors, screens: the fast visibility trio

Winter is hard on visibility. Add a morning habit: check tyre pressures while the rubber is cold, wipe cameras and mirrors, top up winter-grade screenwash and give wipers a quick inspection. Clear glass and accurate pressures make machines safer and more predictable on slick surfaces.

7. Battery basics that save a shift

Cold knocks battery performance. Check terminals for corrosion, make sure isolators are fully seated and avoid repeated short cranking attempts. If a machine is parked for extended periods, agree a weekly start cycle to keep batteries topped and ECUs healthy.

8. Daily checks that actually get done

Five minutes is enough for a confident daily check if the routine is tight: fluids, leaks, lights, forks or attachments, seatbelt, horn, safety systems. Log defects immediately and keep the cab stocked with the basics - cloths, de-icer, spare bulbs - so small fixes happen on the spot.

9. Use short videos for self-help

When something does go wrong, the fastest fix is often a 90-second refresher. Make Ardent's familiarisation and troubleshooting videos easy to access so operators can solve common issues - DPF regens, warning lamps, stabiliser interlocks - without waiting on an engineer.

• Putting it together: a 10-minute winter rhythm
• Start-of-shift: warm-up, hydraulics, separators, visibility.
• Mid-shift: quick scan for warnings, brief check of attachments and hoses.
• End-of-shift: fuel and AdBlue levels, cab tidy, note any defects for follow-up.
• The result

Fewer cold-start headaches, fewer "machine won't move" calls, more time on task. Winter doesn't need heroics - just a steady routine that everyone can do in under five minutes.