As we mentioned in our blog post on heavy equipment maintenance best practices, having and enforcing a maintenance plan is crucial. We’ll go through the heavy equipment maintenance benefits and inspections in this piece.
Early diagnosis of potential equipment problems is critical.
Your operators ensure that the relevant components are in working order by conducting rigorous heavy equipment checks. Manufacturer-caused malfunctions are sometimes unavoidable, but conducting frequent inspections of heavy equipment is the best approach to spot potential problems.
The following are some of the most critical components and systems to inspect:
- Fuel gauges and meters Oil level Coolant level
- Tracks or tires
- Battery
Use equipment maintenance software that allows your operators to log checks electronically. You’ll be able to keep track of your records and assign assignments for heavy equipment maintenance and repairs with ease.
Inspections and maintenance of heavy machinery can help to prevent accidents.
Risk management is sometimes forgotten when focusing on daily goals. However, complying with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is only one factor to consider regarding equipment maintenance and work zone safety.
Employee safety is a top priority for every company. The manufacturing and construction industries are no exception. They are, after all, among the most hazardous sectors to work in.
Not all operators operate in a completely safe manner. Isn’t it shocking?
That is why frequent heavy machinery inspections and maintenance are critical. You can significantly reduce the chances of a severe accident by doing routine equipment maintenance.
Inspections and maintenance of heavy machinery can help to prevent accidents.
The reliability of a manufacturing or construction company’s equipment is critical to its overall performance. While many other aspects go into running a successful business, few may wreak havoc on a production, like equipment breakdowns.
Essentially, the entire chain becomes bottlenecked due to the trickle-down effect. For example, suppose your equipment isn’t working correctly or has been taken out of service. In that case, your operators will be unable to complete duties, causing delays in completion times and putting undue pressure to meet deadlines. The downtime causes delays and may jeopardize your reputation as a reliable partner for future projects.
You could be setting yourself up for problems if you don’t have a plan in place for frequent heavy equipment inspections and maintenance. When it comes to equipment maintenance, it’s vital to be proactive.
This involves planning for essential repairs and maintenance when certain milestones are reached, such as operating hours or odometer readings.
Extend the life of your equipment.
Construction projects require a lot of heavy equipment, which isn’t cheap. A used Caterpillar 924K wheel loader can set you back more than $100,000. Similar to vehicles, the value of equipment decreases as soon as it is used. Those purchases must provide a return on investment, and the more use you can get out of the equipment, the higher the rate of return.
Regular maintenance is the most effective strategy to extend the life of your heavy equipment and keep it functioning longer and more efficiently.
Reduce the need for a replacement as much as possible.
The expense of equipment isn’t the only possible stumbling block for your business. When it comes to purchasing new equipment, time is not on your side. It isn’t as simple as going to the hardware shop and purchasing a few goods.
Instead, connect with a local equipment dealer or search for a reputable internet marketplace that sells used equipment.
Local dealers may or may not have the same equipment specifications as your now-broken machine. This may force you to order it from a dealer who isn’t close by, resulting in additional costs and delivery time.
The same issues could arise when ordering used equipment from various sources. For example, a similar piece of heavy equipment may be purchased from a different part of the country, requiring you to plan delivery, which will add to your downtime.
Not to mention, you’ll want to be sure the used equipment is in good working order and won’t cause any problems in the future.
Obtain mental tranquility
Workplace stress is unavoidable, no matter how calm you are. Managing a job site and a group of operators is a difficult task. The burdens seem to multiply when you add in the lingering worry about your equipment’s condition.
If you don’t have a maintenance plan in place and don’t use equipment maintenance software to help, the looming threat of problems should make you feel compelled to act quickly.
Added pressure It’s pointless and, to be honest, somewhat avoidable to be concerned about your equipment. Knowing that your equipment is working correctly and that you won’t have to worry about a problem is virtually priceless. Risk aversion is a valuable commodity, and heavy equipment maintenance is one of the essential rungs on your operation’s success ladder.
Source: Fleetio