Summer is here, and over the next few months, heavy equipment operators are going to be working in some pretty grueling conditions. It’s important to keep equipment operators cool so they can stay comfortable, productive and safe throughout the hottest days of the year. This means maintaining air conditioning systems and being proactive about resolving any noticeable issues that arise.
Here’s an overview of what you should know about heavy equipment maintenance in Lexington, OR, specifically when it comes to the air conditioning system.
The basics
There are some essential components to air conditioning maintenance for heavy equipment that you must be aware of when working on your machines:
Cleaning: It’s important to keep the condenser clean and free of debris. This will help to prevent a lot of the most common types of failure for air conditioning systems. As you clean the system, just make sure the fins don’t get folded over if you use high-pressure washing applications.
Dealing with fluids: It’s not uncommon for hydraulic fluid or oil to get on the condenser, in addition to other types of debris. This could be a result of a leak or a more significant hose rupture. When first inspecting this problem, it might not actually look that bad, but it will have a significant effect on the heat rejection of the condenser.
Reversing fans: To help keep dry debris from getting into condensers and coolers, you could attempt to use reversing fans. These can be effective at keeping that debris at bay, but there are some limitations with regard to the ability to keep oil residue away.
Inspections: You should prioritize regular inspections of the air conditioning system, even if there aren’t any actual action steps that need to be taken afterward. Someone needs to inspect the condensers and coolers regularly to make sure they’re clean and operating efficiently.
Filters: All filters must be maintained and cleaned on a regular basis. Cabin air filters should be included in this. The cabin air filters might not be as easy to inspect as the condenser, but keeping them clean can help ensure the productivity and efficiency of the machinery. The frequency with which you need to check and maintain those filters will depend on the specific conditions in which the machinery most commonly operates.
Leaks: It’s not enough to just clean up after any leaks that are present in the system—you also need to find them and put them to a stop. In some cases, this might mean replacing some of the fittings. Finding the leaks can be difficult—we recommend using a fluorescent dye in the refrigerant oil, which will make it easier for you to spot where the leak is coming from when you use an ultraviolet light to trace it.
For more information about air conditioning maintenance for heavy equipment in your Lexington, OR facility, or to schedule heavy equipment repair, get in touch with Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. We look forward to working with you soon!
Summer has arrived, and if you’re going to be doing a lot of construction work or other jobs that require the use of heavy equipment this summer in Lexington, OR, it’s important to make sure your equipment is up to the task. This means performing seasonal maintenance to ensure the machinery can operate safely and efficiently all year long.
Here’s a quick overview of the steps you should follow to prep your heavy equipment for the season ahead.
Get started as soon as possible
Ideally, you will have already started preparing for the summer heat. But if you haven’t, now’s the time to get started!
You don’t want to wait until it’s the hottest time of the year to get started with your prep work. Before it gets too hot, you should clean off all the equipment (especially airflow areas and the radiator), make sure it’s fully lubricated and perform any necessary maintenance work.
Ensure proper storage
Your heavy machinery should not be stored out in the sun, where it will bake all day long. Instead, you should keep it in a shaded area or in a storage facility. At the very least, do whatever you can to minimize exposure to the heat by covering machines with tarps, if you don’t have any other options. Keeping your machinery cool will help you to prolong its life and prevent potential heat damage.
Avoid using equipment during the hottest part of the day
Just as you should make sure to store the equipment away to keep it out of the hot sun, you should also do your best to avoid using heavy equipment during the hours of peak daylight (generally between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.). While you don’t necessarily need to halt all of your operations during this time, you should at least try to minimize the use of certain types of equipment during that time to prevent it from overheating. Get an early start whenever possible, or schedule evening work sessions.
Keep an eye on the batteries
You should make sure to prioritize good battery maintenance as well during the summer months. Extreme heat can result in battery malfunctions, and people often overlook standard battery maintenance. Check to make sure your unit’s battery is fully charged and that the electrolytes in the battery remain at the proper levels at all time. Otherwise, you could run the risk of potential downtime.
Check displays
When hot conditions do arise during the summer, you should keep an eye on all displays on the machines. This will help you determine if you need to give any of your equipment an opportunity to cool down to prevent overheating before you proceed with your work. Stay apprised of the equipment’s condition to keep it in good shape.
For more information about some of the steps you can take to prepare your heavy equipment for summer, or to get help with heavy equipment maintenance in Lexington, OR, reach out to the team at Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. today.
No matter how well-maintained your heavy equipment fleet may be, there’s always a chance of something breaking down. How do you know whether it’s a problem that requires heavy equipment repair, or if you can get away with simple maintenance in Lexington, OR? Here’s a quick guide to when you need to take your heavy equipment in for repair.
Forestry equipment
Forestry equipment, like forestry dozers and road builders, tend to be complex pieces of equipment. If you’re not familiar with their intricate mechanical components, it can be hard to tell when it’s time to take it in versus when you can get away with maintenance. Luckily, you can treat this kind of equipment like you would a regular vehicle. First, check all the fluids to ensure that they’re clean and at their appropriate levels—flush or top them off if you find issues with the fluids. Look over the wires and valves to ensure they’re functioning appropriately, too.
Next, look for rust and corrosion on the exterior and internal components. Rust can form quickly, especially in rainy places like Oregon. The faster you discover the rust, the more likely you’ll be able to continue using the vehicle. However, if the rust is widespread or damaging the structural integrity, you’ll probably want to take it in to replace the parts.
If you can’t find the source of the problem, take your vehicle in right away. There’s no shame in letting the experts handle it.
Aerial lifts
Pay special attention to your aerial lifts—any time you have employees working at great heights, you must ensure their safety. Like any equipment, aerial lifts will deteriorate with age. It probably doesn’t need to be replaced, however, unless your heavy equipment mechanic deems it DOA.
OSHA recommends that owners do periodic inspections. First, check the fluids and make sure they’re clean, topped off and not leaking. Move on to the electrical components and any valves: are they functioning properly, too? Is anything loose, unharnessed or missing?
Finally, you should go through the lift and test every function you use on a daily basis: press every button and test every alarm until you’re satisfied it’s operating properly. If there are any issues, take it in for repairs. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Hydraulic valves
Finally, hydraulic valves can fail over time. If yours is performing less reliably than normal, be aware that they sometimes seem less productive after extended use. To that end, check the fluids and filters to ensure there are no issues there.
Because hydraulics are complicated pieces of machinery, you may not be able to identify the root of the problem. If that seems to be the case, bring your machinery to Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. for an inspection.
If you’re not sure whether your heavy equipment needs maintenance or repair in Lexington, OR, the experts at Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. are here to help. Get in touch with us today to learn more and set up an appointment.
If you have company-owned vehicles, you have a fleet. Whether they’re forklifts, pickup trucks, trailers or company cars, fleet maintenance is crucial in Lexington, OR. Keeping your fleet well-maintained is the key to its longevity. Unfortunately, many companies underestimate the need for regular fleet maintenance—especially the importance of hiring an outside company to do the job.
Keeping your fleet well-maintained ultimately saves a lot of time, money and manpower, especially when you work with a company like Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. Read on to find out how fleet maintenance can benefit your company:
Keep your vehicles in great condition: The most important benefit of regular fleet maintenance is that it will keep your vehicles in the best condition possible. This ensures they’ll always be operational, extends their lifespan and ensure you’ll always be ready for important jobs.
Prevent downtime and save money with regular maintenance: When your vehicles break down, it’s not only expensive to fix, but it costs you money on jobs, too. No customer wants to hear that their project has been delayed, even if it’s for a “good” reason. By maintaining your fleet appropriately, you’ll ensure you can meet all your commitments. Repairs will also be a lot cheaper when you work with a fleet maintenance company.
Keep operational costs low: The better shape your fleet is in, the less money you’ll spend on repairs—and you’ll also spend a lot less on fuel, oil and dealing with minor malfunctions. Keeping your vehicles in good shape reduces the amount of money you’ll spend to keep them on the road. Over time, that can save your company a lot of cash.
Make sure your fleet complies with environmental regulations: There are plenty of environmental regulations that apply to your vehicles, which are designed to reduce the volume of emissions your fleet produces. Not only do emissions cause global warming, but they can also increase chances of contracting neurological disorders. As company owners, you have an obligation to keep the community as clean and safe as possible. Good maintenance helps guarantee that.
Stay ready for testing and inspections: State and federal regulatory authorities can mandate tests and inspections, like smog tests and more. The better you maintain your vehicles, the more likely they’ll be ready for testing and inspections on a moment’s notice. Plus, when you work with a fleet maintenance management company, you won’t have to worry about when it’s going to get done and who’s going to do it.
Keep your resale value high: Finally, keeping your fleet in good shape will increase your vehicles’ resale value. Like your personal vehicle, the cleaner and better functioning your fleet vehicle are, the easier it will be to resell or trade them in later.
When you need fleet maintenance or utility vehicle repair in Lexington, OR, the team at Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. can help. Call us today to learn more about our services and schedule your own fleet maintenance management plan. We look forward to working with you!
Preventative maintenance is crucial for all forms of equipment, whether it’s moving vehicles, construction equipment or equipment in machine shops. Staying on top of preventative maintenance allows you to keep your machinery in great operational condition long into the future, which is important for getting the most out of your investment.
Here’s a quick overview of some of the primary advantages of preventative heavy equipment maintenance in Lexington, OR for you to consider:
Less downtime: If you stay on top of your preventative maintenance, you’ll be able to avoid breakdowns that could result in equipment downtime. Equipment downtime means loss of productivity, as well as loss of dollars—you can’t make money if you can’t use your equipment. By avoiding downtime with preventative maintenance, you keep your operation moving and save a lot of money in the long run.
Longer equipment lifespan: Equipment needs to be properly maintained if you’re going to maximize its useful life. Over time, the small issues that pop up could quickly turn into larger ones if you do not take the appropriate steps to correct and repair them. The larger the issue, the more difficult and expensive it is to repair and the more likely it is to lead to a complete breakdown of the equipment. It will cost you far less to stay on top of your heavy equipment maintenance in Lexington, OR than it will to replace the equipment entirely.
Improved safety: Properly maintained equipment is safe equipment. A lack of maintenance doesn’t just increase the risk of poor-quality performance—it also results in more prevalent safety risks. Maintaining your equipment keeps you and your workers safe, and also helps you stay in compliance with all OSHA regulations so you can avoid fines and other liability issues.
Improved efficiency: Not only will your results be better when your equipment is well maintained, but you’ll also be able to achieve those high-quality results in a much more efficient manner. Equipment that runs efficiently costs less money to operate and produces higher quality results in the end. Stay on top of your maintenance and you will be able to ensure ongoing efficiency.
Fewer interruptions: In addition to less downtime, well-maintained equipment will provide fewer interruptions in general to the work you’re doing. You won’t have to worry about hiccups in operation caused by inefficient operation of the equipment, or by other small issues you’d have to work around.
While ongoing preventative maintenance does require you to be proactive and invest some labor and time into caring for your equipment, it also helps you avoid problems associated with deferred maintenance that could quickly become expensive to address. It’s better to over-maintain your equipment than to under-maintain it.
For more information about how to properly maintain your equipment and why it’s important to prioritize preventative maintenance, we encourage you to contact Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. with any questions you have. The team at our heavy equipment repair shop in Lexington, OR looks forward to working with you soon.
