Extending the lifespan of your construction equipment is a fundamental aspect that you should not ignore. You must be proactive and incorporate the necessary equipment maintenance tips to ensure your equipment is serving your needs. Here are some of the maintenance tips to extend equipment life and ROI.
1. Don’t Overwork Your Equipment
It’s common for construction workers to push their equipment to the limit. Even when your heavy equipment is new, overworking will reduce lifespan. Avoid putting too much strain on your construction equipment by giving it enough time to rest. According to experts, you should let your equipment idle for about five minutes after every hour of use. This will help to cool down the engine and other essential parts, preventing them from overheating. Additionally, be careful not to overload your equipment as this will damage some parts.
2. Inspect Your Equipment Regularly
A significant way to prolong your equipment’s lifespan is by regular maintenance checks. Inspecting your equipment helps identify any potential problems before they escalate. Be sure to check the engine oil, air filter, and hydraulic fluid levels, as well as the condition of the tires. It’s also essential to inspect the blades or to cut tools to ensure they’re sharp and in good condition. If you notice any problems with your equipment, be sure to have them fixed as soon as possible.
2. Choose the Right Fuel
It’s essential to use the correct type of fuel for your construction equipment. Using the wrong fuel type can damage your equipment and reduce its lifespan. Consult your equipment’s manual to find out what fuel is best. Also, ensure you’re using clean fuel by regularly cleaning your equipment’s fuel tank. Consider fueling your equipment with a fuel additive, as this can help to prolong its lifespan.
3. Store Your Equipment Properly
When not in use, be sure to store your construction equipment properly. If possible, store your equipment in a covered area to protect it from the elements. Ensure your equipment is stored on a level surface to prevent it from tipping. You can easily damage your equipment by storing it improperly, so take the necessary precautions. A simple construction equipment storage solution is a must for every business.
4. Follow the Manufacturer’s Guidelines
When it comes to maintenance, it’s essential to follow the guidelines set out by the manufacturer. Each type of construction equipment is different, so you must consult the manual for specific maintenance tips. Ignoring the manufacturer’s suggestions can void your warranty and cause long-term damage to your equipment.
Conclusion
By following these simple tips, you can help prolong your construction equipment’s lifespan. However, it’s important to note that regular maintenance checks by a professional are still essential to keeping your equipment in good condition. Contact Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. for all your construction equipment maintenance needs. Our team of experts will ensure your equipment is running smoothly and efficiently.
Operating heavy equipment is no joke, and people need to be trained on the safety requirements for this kind of work. It is always best to equip people with the knowledge that they need to get the job done properly and safely every time. Here at Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, we are all about training and safety for heavy equipment operators.
Always Be Mindful of Load Limits
The load limits that are displayed on a piece of heavy equipment exist for a reason. They are to be adhered to and respected. There may be some temptation in certain corners from time to time to disregard those load limits in favor of trying to get more done. The problem with this is that the load limits are in place to ensure everyone remains completely safe while operating this equipment.
Notice Your Surroundings
One of the best safety tips for heavy machinery is that you need to be mindful of your surroundings at all times. There is something really important about being completely aware of what is going on around you. If you know what is happening around you, you are less likely to end up in a situation where someone gets hurt because of how you operate the machinery.
Communicate With Everyone on the Team
Pay attention to everything that is going on and practice good communication with your team. Lines of communication should be open between yourself and everyone on the team. After all, you will want to ensure that everyone knows they are encouraged to let their supervisors know if there is a safety issue they have noticed. When the workplace is one where communication flows fully, then it is not as intimidating to people who may otherwise be nervous about communicating issues to their bosses.
Pre-Use Inspections
It is a good idea to make sure that you run an inspection over all of the equipment that you are about to use when possible. Running everything through some inspections before you put it to use is a great way to ensure that the equipment is safe. You should want to ensure you go through each step of a safety inspection before that equipment is turned on.
Wear Safety Gear
There are many safety gear pieces that one can put on before they begin operating heavy equipment. These pieces of equipment are great in terms of letting people know that you are there and to avoid hitting you. Additionally, employees should wear safety gear that keeps their bodies safe when they are on the job site. It can protect them in the event that there is an accident on the site.
Overall, some measures can be taken to protect oneself from the dangers that are posed by a construction worksite. You will discover that the more you prepare yourself for these situations, the better things will likely work out for you. Make sure you pay attention to how you prepare your workers to get their job done on the worksite.
A heavy equipment maintenance routine is something that you should consider if you want your equipment to provide the necessary services. The success of such equipment is highly dependent on all the maintenance approaches you will incorporate into your plant. Here is a heavy equipment maintenance checklist you need to observe.
1. Use the Right Tools
Usually, most people will purchase the wrong tools for their equipment. As such, this might interfere with the outcome that you are looking to achieve. Always buy the best and latest tools in the market to use in your maintenance procedure. The good thing is that there are many stores which stock such products. With the help of an expert, you can be sure of getting the most appropriate tools for your needs.
2. Create a Maintenance Schedule
One of the best ways to ensure that your equipment is always in good shape is by creating a maintenance schedule. This way, you will never forget some critical areas requiring regular checkups. Remember, if you neglect some of the areas in your equipment, it might cost you a lot of money in the long run.
3. Check the Equipment Regularly
It is advisable to check your equipment regularly, even when it is not in use. This way, you can identify some issues that might develop without your knowledge. Such problems will usually only be noticed when it’s too late. By regularly checking your equipment, you can avoid costly repairs.
4. Use the Right Products
Many products are meant for heavy equipment maintenance. However, some of them might not be ideal for your needs. As such, you should take your time to research the best products to use before making your purchase. With the right products, you can be sure of extending the lifespan of your equipment. This will be an effective strategy for saving money in the long run. Consider analyzing the best brands in the market before making your purchase.
5. Hire a Professional
As much as you might be tempted to handle the maintenance procedure independently, hiring a professional is always advisable. This way, you will be sure of getting the best results within a short period. A professional knows all the areas that need to be checked and will also advise you on taking care of your equipment. Many service providers specialize in such services. An experienced technician will also be able to identify some of the issues that might develop without your knowledge.
Conclusion
By following the above tips, you can ensure an effective heavy equipment maintenance routine. Always remember that your goal should be to get the best value for your money. With proper maintenance, you can be sure of using your equipment for a long time. Contact Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. today for all your heavy equipment maintenance needs. We offer a wide range of services to keep your equipment running smoothly and efficiently.
Heavy equipment failures can happen at any time, and when they do fail, it can be very dangerous for the people who operate them and for anyone else in the immediate vicinity. As such, it is important to look at the various aspects of why heavy equipment may fail. Prevention is key to avoiding these disasters from taking place in the first place. Here at Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair Inc., we want you to be able to answer two important questions:
What are the common causes of heavy equipment failure?
Why did my heavy equipment fail?
Improper Maintenance
Heavy machinery requires proper maintenance, just as you would do for something like your own personal vehicle. As such, it is important that routine maintenance is handled on these pieces of equipment on a regular basis.
Anyone who wants to cut corners to try to save money on maintenance is making a terrible mistake. While there may be some cost savings acquired by avoiding doing certain pieces of maintenance in the beginning, the overall result is that the piece of equipment could fail and cost much more money to replace or repair.
This is not to mention the fact that somebody could get hurt as a result of the maintenance not being done on this piece of equipment. That is an outcome that nobody hopes for and would prove to be very costly both on the human level and in a monetary sense.
A Lack of Proper Training
The rush to get new employees out to operate equipment can be so hasty that some employees are not properly trained on how to operate the heavy machinery that they are told to work with. If proper safety procedures are not followed, the risk of failure of the equipment is much higher than it otherwise would be. Indeed, any time an unskilled or untrained employee works with heavy equipment, it poses a major risk to that employee and anyone else in the area.
Training is essential to ensure that the proper steps are taken to operate the heavy machinery safely. The investment of time and resources into training employees on how to use the heavy equipment is well worth the cost.
Improper Storage
Storage of heavy equipment is an essential part of keeping that equipment operating smoothly. When the equipment has to be stored outdoors, it may be exposed to various weather elements that can cause damage to the equipment over the long term. As an example, constantly being hit by rain can cause corrosion of the parts of the equipment that are used every day.
Additionally, there could be issues with pests and rodents getting in and chewing on cables and wires that are essential to the operation of heavy equipment. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the proper storage of any piece of heavy equipment that may be called upon to be used in the near future.
Ignoring Warning Signs
Finally, one of the reasons why heavy equipment failure happens so commonly is because certain operators may ignore warning signs about the piece of equipment that they are dealing with. If there are unusual sounds coming from the heavy equipment at any period of time, operation of that equipment should be ceased immediately to allow for a mechanic to come and look at that equipment to see what may be going wrong with it.
Taking care of the maintenance of the equipment before it has a full system failure is the best way to prevent such events from occurring. Always stay on top of your heavy equipment maintenance needs in order to avoid the worst possible outcomes.
While heavy equipment is often thought of as being incredibly reliable, there are times when issues can occur. Sometimes it can fail unexpectedly and cause a major inconvenience by putting a stop to your operations. How do you deal with heavy equipment failure? We’ll discuss what to do if your heavy equipment fails so that you can get it up and running again as quickly as possible.
1. Determine If There’s Really a Problem
Before you do anything, it’s crucial to determine whether there really is a problem with your heavy equipment. Check for things like loose wires or plugs. Sometimes, something as simple as a loose connection can cause your equipment to fail. If you can’t find anything visually wrong, try starting the equipment again. If it still doesn’t work, then you’ll need to take further steps.
2. Investigate the Cause of the Problem
Once you’ve determined that there is a problem, it’s time to start investigating the root cause. This will help you determine what needs to be done to fix the problem. Often, investigating the cause can be as simple as consulting the owner’s manual. Other times, you may need to call in a professional to take a look. Since some issues may need disassembly of the equipment, it’s often best to call in a professional if you’re not sure what you’re doing.
3. Take Action To Fix the Problem
After determining the problem, it’s time to take action to fix it. This will usually involve making repairs or replacements. If a seriously damaged part was the cause of the failure, you might need to replace it entirely. If a repair can be made, that’s often the best course of action. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple fix to get your equipment up and running again. A professional is best suited for repairs or replacements because they have the knowledge and experience to do the job right.
4. Test Your Equipment To Ensure the Problem Is Fixed
After fixing the problem, you’ll need to test your equipment to ensure the repair was successful. If everything is working properly, then you can get back to using it. If the problem persists, you’ll need to figure out what else could be causing it. It’s possible that there may be more than one issue at play. During the investigation stage, it’s vital to identify all potential root causes to ensure that they’re all addressed.
5. Prevent Future Problems
Preventing future problems is always the goal. After your equipment has been repaired, take the necessary steps to prevent the issue from happening again. This may involve regularly inspecting the equipment, keeping it clean, and following the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule. By taking these preventive measures, you can help reduce the likelihood of future failures.
Heavy equipment failures can cause major problems for your business. But by taking the right steps, you can fix the problem and prevent it from happening again. By investigating the root cause, taking action to fix it, and testing your equipment, you can get your heavy equipment up and running again. And by taking preventive measures, you can help reduce the likelihood of future failures.
