In a world where time is money, productivity can be everything. After all, over the past few years, self-help books, blogs, and articles have been promoting methods of productivity for good reason. The more productive employees are, the more any business in any industry can grow and expand profits.
If you want to increase machine shop production and send shop productivity through the roof, there are a few tried and true tips to get you started.
We’ve listed the best suggestions for increasing machine shop production below, so read on to find out more!
Make sure to use reliable machines in your shop
As simple as it might sound, having reliable machinery is half the battle in increasing productivity in your shop. After all, if you constantly have to stop or slow production due to a faulty or unsafe machine, you will be wasting precious time and falling behind on your work.
Sometimes, getting reliable machines in your shop requires replacing older or less reliable machines with updated models. In other cases, a simple update to the equipment and basic fixes will keep your machines running like well-oiled machines. In turn, your shop will run like a well-oiled machine, too.
Choose simplified machinery for easy set up
One big time waster in machinery is choosing equipment that is too complicated for your needs. Having portable, automatically feeding, and properly clamping machines will make it so that you don’t have to worry about your machines running seamlessly.
Opt for the correct motor for high production levels
To produce faster, better, and more accurately, try to choose machines with a motor that is right for your needs and industry. Some machines work best with pneumatic motors, while others fare better with a hydraulic motor. Others still do their best when they are powered by an electric motor. Pay attention to overheating, sluggishness, and other signs of strain on the motor.
Waiting for a machine to cool down because it is running on the wrong motor can create issues with productivity in the short term and the long term. On the flip side, replacing the motor with the appropriate kind of motor can solve short-term and long-term issues, which increase productivity now and ten years from now.
Manage the floor in an organized manner
While this might seem like a no-brainer, plenty of shops lose out on possible productivity spikes because their floor is unorganized. From the machines to the staff, it pays to keep everything in order. Ensure that the floor plan has a natural flow that makes sense of the different aspects and stages of production. Minimize the time it takes for workers to move from one related station to the next to increase productivity. Most importantly, make sure that the floor’s laid-out system clears up any confusion.
Follow safety protocols
Simply put, a safe shop is a productive shop. When you can avoid injuries, you can increase productivity.
When a very heavy or oversized load needs to go from point A to point B, a lowboy trailer often gets the job done. The lowboy trailer is the workhorse of heavy hauling over the road.
As the name suggests, a lowboy trailer is very low to the ground to enable it to carry heavy equipment, large construction pieces, or maybe a manufactured home to an intended location. The following gives you a better understanding of lowboy hauling and where it is heading in the near future.
Various Types of Lowboy Rigs
Lowboy trailers generally are made from either aluminum or steel. An aluminum lowboy has a lighter weight but lacks the strength of a steel rig. Aluminum lowboy rigs are used for lighter loads, while steel versions handle the heavier cargo.
Lowboy rigs come in three types based on how they hook up to the tractor. The three types of lowboy rigs are the following:
Fixed-gooseneck lowboy
Removable gooseneck lowboy
Fixed-neck lowboy
A fixed gooseneck is relatively light and has a fixed gooseneck that could make it more difficult for trailer hookups. The removable gooseneck is easier to hook up because you can raise or lower the gooseneck with hydraulic power.
A fixed-neck lowboy is not as tall as a fixed gooseneck but shares its loading difficulties. You cannot load the trailer from the front with the fixed neck, but it is the lightest of the bunch.
Additional developments make it possible for various lowboy rigs to expand lengthwise and support loads of varying sizes. That kind of adaptability enables them to haul a greater variety of loads with different sizes and shapes.
Benefits of Lowboy Hauling
The general configuration of a lowboy rig is very low and very wide. The low profile enables the rig to carry taller loads than a traditional flatbed trailer. Many types of heavy equipment and oversized cargo cannot fit onto a standard trailer.
Multiple axles with very wide tires also enable lowboy hauling of very heavy cargo. Several axles in the rear and on the front of the lowboy rig enable it to spread out the weight and enable some lowboy rigs to haul up to 70,000 pounds.
A lowboy trailer uses tires that are either tubeless or that contain inflatable tubes. Tires with tubes are air-adjustable and better suited for hauling heavier loads than tubeless tires. Unfortunately, the tubes are more prone to blowouts and cause the tire to have a shorter service life than tubeless tires.
The options for tires help to make lowboy rigs more adaptable to loads of various sizes and weights. Because they do not haul standardized loads, the more options you have, the better.
Winterizing commercial vehicle is as important as any other vehicle. The harsh winter elements can wreak havoc on any vehicle and affect performance. It can also lead to extensive damage that can be costly to repair. Read on to learn about different ways you can winterize your commercial vehicle this season.
Tips for Winterizing Your Commercial Vehicle
Here are several utility vehicle winterization tips you can implement before winter approaches.
Check Fluid Levels in Vehicle
Cold weather really affects the fluid levels in your vehicle. It is vital that you check your vehicle’s antifreeze, engine oil, brake, power, and transmission fluids. Ensure that they are at their required levels and clean as well. If possible, change your engine oil prior to the winter to help tackle the oncoming winter weather.
Keeps Fuel Lines From Becoming Frozen
The last thing you’d want to deal with is frozen fuel lines in your commercial vehicle. The best way to keep this from happening is to keep half to a full tank of gas in your vehicle during the winter. You should also have your fuel filter inspected just to make sure that it is in good working condition.
Don’t Forget About Fuel Injectors
Having clean fuel injectors can help your commercial vehicle run smoothly. It can reduce rough start-ups, and keep your engine power running nicely. Fuel injectors work like antifreeze, which means they can eliminate water from the fuel system and keep your lines from freezing during the winter months.
Inspect the Battery
Also, remember to check the battery in your commercial vehicle. Cold weather can reduce the power of the battery. The best way to prevent battery issues during the winter is by having them inspected. If you have a battery that is more than three years old, you should probably have it replaced. The battery should be correctly connected to the terminal and cables.
Check Your Tires
You really will rely on your tires a lot more during the winter months due to the unpredictable snow and ice. This can make driving on roadways dangerous. Cold weather can also reduce your tire pressure, so be sure to check the PSI in your tires every several days. Make sure that you pay attention to the tire treads and, if possible, install snow tires or winter chains.
Warm Up Vehicle
Commercial vehicles take diesel fuel, which makes it much more difficult to start during cold weather. If you are located in an area that tends to get frigid temperatures in the winter, you should consider having an electric block heater installed. This will help your engine stay warm even when it isn’t running. They also enable your vehicle to start up faster, no matter how cold it is.
Put an Emergency Kit Together
Always keep an emergency kit in your vehicle. It is possible you may become stranded in the snow. To make sure you are prepared, your emergency kit should include blankets, gloves, hats, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, a snow shovel, tire chains, a radio, a cell phone charger, bottled water, snow boots, extra fuels, and road flares.
Looking for ways to increase your farm productivity? Post harvest equipment can have a huge impact on your farm output and efficiency. This quick guide will give you some ideas of post harvest equipment you should consider investing in.
What Is Post Harvest Equipment?
There are several types of equipment that are needed on a productive farm. These include both pre-harvest and post-harvest equipment. Pre-harvest equipment is pretty self-explanatory, but what about post-harvest?
Post-harvest equipment is designed to help farmers take their crap residues and create something valuable. This can greatly increase yearly profits, and it benefits the environment by cutting down on waste. It can also increase profits by increasing the marketability of your crops that would otherwise be lost post-harvest.
Post-harvest technology can save you time and money. Many farmers rely on this type of equipment to keep their profits high and reduce waste.
Do I Need Post-Harvest Equipment?
Post harvest equipment is not a requirement for productivity, but it can greatly enhance productivity by streamlining the post-harvest process. Post harvest technology helps farmers be able to easily make good use of every bit of their crop, as well as to efficiently prepare their crop for sale.
Post Harvest Equipment Post Harvest Machinery To Consider
Multicrop Post Harvest – One of the best products in this category is the Landforce Multi-Crop complete with 35 HP and Above implement power.
Wheat Post Harvest – If you are looking for wheat post harvest products, check out the Landforce Harambha Thresher. This product comes equipped with best-in-class features as well as 35 HP Min implement power.
Maize Post Harvest – The Dasmesh 423 Maize Thresher comes with 35-55 HP implement power which produces a smooth harvest experience.
Paddy Post Harvest – For those working in paddy farmer environments, the Landforce Paddy Thresher brings you 35-55 HP implement power.
Post Harvest Handling Equipment
You may also want to consider post harvest handling equipment options as well. Let’s look at a few of these.
Sponge dryers – Sponge dryers are essential to remove surface water so that crops can be properly processed. This machinery includes wipe rollers as well as crush rollers.
Wax coaters – This is an essential piece of machinery if you are dealing with organic fruit and veggies. Wax application will enhance the crop’s appearance and longevity.
Polishing and Brushing Machines – Preparing crops for shipment is a crucial part of the farming process. The appearance of the crop is important. Polishing and brushing machines can help to accomplish this.
A well-implemented preventative maintenance system can help your business by reducing waste and increasing overall productivity. The longer you can keep your equipment working, the more money you save. In addition, regular preventative upkeep can prevent sudden breakdowns and detect issues before they become a major concern. However, implementing maintenance systems can be challenging for many companies without proper planning. Taking the right steps makes the process much simpler and easier to design.
Steps To Implement a Preventative Maintenance System
Know Your Equipment: One of the key steps in establishing an effective preventative maintenance system is knowing important data about your equipment. You need to know how old your equipment is, past repair history, how long your equipment commonly lasts, and overall failure rates. This data needs to be accurate and detailed as it is the foundation of your preventative maintenance and servicing methodology.
Be Responsive to and Collect Feedback: Feedback is essential to implement maintenance and continuous improvement of your preventive maintenance processes. This feedback should come from involved parties, including not just maintenance staff but also users of your equipment. This feedback typically will take the form of process review, timeframe, and how long it takes to complete service requests.
Slowly Implement Scheduling: When setting up any process or procedure, taking it slow is often the best approach. Start with the overall workload and how work is assigned. Then, write a weekly schedule, slowly expand that to a monthly schedule, and have regular meetings to review the workload and address any issues such as missed assignments.
Make Use of Tracking Software: In addition to being informed about your equipment, you also need to be able to properly track it. Your equipment should be tagged and trackable in a central database. This keeps you updated on what equipment you currently have and makes regular maintenance and record keeping far easier.
Track Jobs: When assigning maintenance work, many projects will be simple and can be finished that day. More involved projects can go on far longer, with some standard maintenance work lasting multiple weeks. Being able to track projects large and small is vital because it keeps proper records and ensures nothing important is missed or overlooked.
Final Thoughts
Preventative maintenance is a superior method for managing your equipment repair needs. The alternative of waiting for equipment to break down before repair can cause larger issues such as lost work and expensive repairs. Preventative maintenance is well worth the time and investment as it keeps your company’s production flow working and can reduce equipment repair and replacement costs.
