As a contractor, you know how crucial it is to keep all your construction tools in good condition. You wouldn’t want to experience mechanical failures that lead to costly downtime. The problem gets even worse as you add heavy equipment such as payloaders and tractors to your arsenal. If any of these break down in the middle of a major project, you could lag the timeline and, ultimately, disappoint your clients.
Regular preventive maintenance helps prevent heavy machinery from failing, extends its longevity, and optimizes fuel consumption. If you want to improve efficiency and steer clear of making any costly repairs and replacements, consider these tips:
- Do a bit of deep cleaning.
If your company works mostly in rough terrain, the risk of mechanical failure is greater because of the presence of dust, dirt, and mud. Taken together, these elements will surely hamper the performance of your equipment and cause serious damage in the long run. Make it a habit each week to clean your equipment using a hot-water pressure washer. This will get rid of any hardened mud and dirt that clings to the tracks or vents. While you are at it, you can also vacuum the inside of the cab and get rid of any debris that’s lying around.
2. Inspect your equipment
You shouldn’t wait until your heavy equipment functions to perform any maintenance work. It’s still important to find and fix potential issues before they get worse and destroy your tools. Doing preventive maintenance every six months is important in mitigating any wear and tear that could lead to serious damage or put onsite workers at risk. Consider checking the wheels and braking system and changing fluids such as the engine coolant and hydraulic oil. Doing these will make sure your equipment performs optimally onsite.
3. Identify a parts dealer and repair service
You can never be too prepared for problems that happen spontaneously. Even if you follow your maintenance schedule religiously, you still need to consider surprise scenarios such as damage from heavy debris. If ever you run into these scenarios, it’s important to know who to call for repairs and replacement parts. If you have CAT equipment, you can check out Fortis CAT parts for replacement rubber tracks or OTR tires. The least you could do is find dealers and service centers that charge more yet offer substandard materials.
4. Set operational guidelines
While heavy equipment operators are required to get certification from OSHA, it’s still important that you provide additional guidelines that extend the life of your machinery and prevent injury among workers. Make sure you come up with guidelines for how operators maintain, clean, and handle minor repairs on the equipment. It’s also important to update their skills and follow best practices for using specific equipment.
Considering the cost of purchasing heavy equipment, it would be a bad idea to overlook the need for regular maintenance. It may seem tedious, but over time, you will see the value of possessing heavy machinery that can stand the test of time.
