Seasonal Maintenance Tips for Your Manitowoc Crane Parts (Winter vs. Summer) Cranes don’t care what the calendar says, but the seasons absolutely affect how they behave. Anyone who’s worked through a freezing winter or a brutal summer knows the difference. Cold makes things stiff and brittle. Heat accelerates wear and breakdown. For Manitowoc cranes, seasonal maintenance isn’t about doing more work. It’s about doing the right work at the right time. Small adjustments before temperatures swing can prevent downtime when the job schedule is already tight. This guide looks at how winter and summer conditions affect crane components differently, and how to adapt maintenance habits to protect your investment year - round. Why Seasonal Maintenance Matters Cranes operate under load, vibration, and constant motion. Temperature changes add another layer of stress. Metals expand and contract. Fluids thicken or thin. Electrical systems react to moisture, heat, and cold in ways that aren’t always obvious. Ignoring seasonal effects doesn’t usually cause immediate failure. It causes slow damage. That’s the kind that shows up later as leaks, cracks, or electrical faults when you least want them. Using quality Manitowoc parts helps, but even the best components need the right environment and care to last. Winter: Cold Is Hard on Everything Winter exposes weaknesses fast. If a part is already marginal, cold weather will find it. Hydraulic systems feel winter first. Cold oil moves slowly, especially during startup. Pumps work harder. Seals stiffen. Pressure spikes happen before oil reaches proper operating temperature. Warming up the crane properly isn’t a courtesy. It’s protection Electrical components also struggle in the cold. Batteries lose capacity. Connectors shrink slightly, which can loosen already tired contacts. Moisture that sneaks in during daytime thaw freezes overnight, stressing housings and insulation. Steel components don’t escape either. Cold reduces flexibility. Pins, bushings, and structural members are less forgiving under shock loads. Lifts that felt routine in summer can stress parts much more in winter. Winter Maintenance Habits That Pay Off Good winter maintenance starts before the first cold morning. Inspect seals and hoses closely. Anything already showing stiffness, cracking, or seepage won’t improve once temperatures drop. Replacing those parts early prevents mid - winter hydraulic leaks that are miserable to deal with on site. Pay attention to lubrication. Grease that works fine in summer may be too thick in winter. Poor lubrication leads to accelerated wear in pins, swing bearings, and boom sections. Adjusting grease type and frequency can make a noticeable difference. Electrical inspections matter more than usual. Clean terminals. Check grounds. Make sure weatherproofing is intact. Cold - related electrical issues are often blamed on “mystery faults” when the real cause is simple connection problems. Summer: Heat Speeds Up Wear Summer rarely stops a crane outright. Instead, it quietly shortens component life. High temperatures thin hydraulic oil. That reduces lubrication and increases internal leakage. Pumps and valves may still function, but efficiency drops. Heat also accelerates seal aging. A seal that lasts years in mild conditions may fail much sooner in s ustained heat. Cooling systems work harder in summer. Radiators, oil coolers, and fans become critical components. Any restriction — dust, debris, bent fins — pushes temperatures higher and stresses the entire system. Electrical components face a different challenge in summer. Heat increases resistance. Electronics don’t like sustained high temperatures, especially inside crowded control cabinets. Summer Maintenance That Prevents Surprises Summer maintenance is about managing heat before it manages you. Cooling systems deserve regular attention. Clean radiators and coolers thoroughly. Don’t assume airflow is fine just because the fan is spinning. Small blockages add up fast. Hydraulic oil condition matters more in heat. Monitor oil temperature and appearance. Darkening oil or burnt smells are warning signs. Addressing them early can prevent pump or valve damage later. Inspect wiring and control enclosures. Heat makes insulation brittle over time. Cracked insulation may not fail immediately, but it invites moisture and dirt when weather changes. Structural Components Feel Both Extremes Boom sections, pins, and structural welds live through every season without complaint — until they don’t. Winter cold reduces material flexibility. Summer heat expands components and changes clearances. Over time, that cycling contributes to fatigue. Seasonal inspections should include a careful look at high - stress areas. Not a rushed walk - around, but a focused check. Catching early signs of wear or cracking allows for planned repairs instead of emergency ones. Using quality Manitowoc parts here isn’t about brand preference. It’s about known metallurgy, tolerances, and performance under repeated temperature cycles. Don’t Forget About Storage and Idle Time Cranes don’t always work year - round. Seasonal shutdowns introduce their own risks. In winter storage, moisture control matters. Condensation inside tanks, gearboxes, and control panels causes corrosion that won’t show up until spring startup. In summer downtime, heat buildup in parked cranes can damage electronics and seals. Shaded storage and ventilation help more than most people expect. Seasonal maintenance includes thinking about what happens when the crane isn’t moving. The Role of Part Quality Across Seasons Seasonal stress amplifies weaknesses. That’s why part quality matters more in extreme conditions. Inferior components may meet basic specs, but they often don’t handle temperature swings well. Seals harden. Electrical components drift out of tolerance. Wea r accelerates quietly. Sourcing parts from a knowledgeable crane parts supplier reduces those risks. The right supplier understands how parts behave in real operating conditions, not just how they look in a catalog. Build Maintenance Around the Calendar Seasonal maintenance works best when it’s planned, not reactive. Late fall is the time to prepare for winter. Spring is the moment to inspect for cold - weather damage. Early summer is ideal for cooling system checks. Late summer is a good time to address he at - related wear before fall workloads ramp up. Aligning inspections and part replacements with seasonal transitions keeps maintenance manageable and predictable. Final Thoughts Cranes don’t fail because it’s winter or summer. They fail because seasonal stress exposes problems that were already there. Adjusting maintenance habits to match the season protects your equipment, your schedule, and your crew. Using quality Manitowoc parts and working with a reliable crane parts supplier gives those efforts a solid foundation. Seasonal maintenance isn’t extra work. It’s smarter work. And over the life of a crane, it pays for itself many times over.