Winterizing Your Fleet Attenuators

Cold weather is hard on hydraulics, batteries, and warning lamps. A short winter prep routine keeps attenuators deploying on time when the temperature drops.

Attenuators still have to deploy in about 20 seconds when it is freezing. Cold thickens hydraulic fluid, drains batteries faster, and can ice up lamps and connectors. A little prep before winter keeps a truck from stalling on a cold morning setup.

A winter prep checklist

• Check hydraulic fluid grade and top off; confirm it is rated for your low temperatures
• Load-test batteries and replace any that are marginal before the cold exposes them
• Inspect and seal electrical connectors against moisture and road salt
• Clear ice and grime from arrow board and message board lamps before each shift
• Cycle deploy and stow before the first cold job to confirm actuators move freely

Salt is the quiet enemy

Road salt corrodes connectors, mounts, and the attenuator frame. Rinse trucks after salted routes and keep an eye on the mount hardware through the season. Corrosion at a mounting point can compromise how the unit performs in a crash.