Lighting towers are essential equipment for construction sites, outdoor events, roadworks, and emergency services. While they’re typically associated with night-time operations or low-light conditions, their proper use and maintenance during the summer months is just as critical as in the darker, colder seasons. In fact, summer brings its own set of challenges and opportunities that can significantly affect the performance and lifespan of your lighting towers. Here’s what you should be doing with your lighting towers during the summer months.

1. Routine Maintenance and Inspection

Summer is an ideal time to perform thorough maintenance checks on your lighting towers. The warmer, drier weather creates safer and more stable conditions for inspecting electrical systems, checking hydraulic components, and performing preventive maintenance.

Make sure to:

• Inspect all lamps and light fixtures for signs of wear or damage.
• Clean lenses and reflectors to ensure maximum brightness and clarity.
• Check fluid levels, especially coolant, oil and hydraulic fluids.
• Inspect and change oil if needed, and ensure the air filters are clean.
• Test the battery, wiring, and grounding systems for corrosion or loose connections.

These checks help prevent breakdowns when you need the equipment most, and they ensure your lighting towers are ready for any emergency or extended-use scenario

2. Optimise Usage Hours

With longer daylight hours, lighting towers may not be needed as frequently during summer. This presents a good opportunity to reduce usage, save on fuel or electricity costs, and extend the lifespan of your equipment.

Evaluate the jobsite lighting plan to determine if all towers need to be running for the full shift or only during dusk and early morning hours. The dusk/dawn sensor can help you turn towers on or off based on natural light conditions.

3. Mobility and Terrain Considerations

Summer often means dry, dusty terrain or, depending on your location, sudden storms and muddy conditions. Ensure your lighting towers are placed on stable ground and secured against wind or heavy rain. Use levelling jacks and wheel chocks as necessary, especially for mobile units. Dry dust can also clog filters and cover lenses, reducing visibility. Regular cleaning is essential, not just for aesthetic reasons but to maintain efficiency and safety on site.

4. Safety and Compliance

Ensure your lighting towers are compliant with local regulations and standards. This includes proper grounding, no exposed wires, and ensuring all operators are trained. Summer events often involve public access to sites with lighting towers—festivals, sports events, or night markets. In such cases, safety barriers and clear signage around the equipment are vital to prevent accidents.

5. Storage and Transport

If you’re rotating equipment or storing lighting towers between uses, make sure they are stored properly by storing them in shaded, well-ventilated areas.

Conclusion

Lighting towers may not be running at full capacity during summer due to longer daylight hours, but that doesn’t mean they should be neglected. Taking proactive steps for maintenance, optimising usage, and ensuring safety will extend the life of your equipment and reduce unexpected downtime. Treat summer as a key opportunity to fine-tune your lighting operations and prepare for the high-demand periods ahead.