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.
There are certain types of products and services you should never, ever cheap out on, and welding and fabrication certainly qualify. As you look for a provider of welding and fabrication services to help your business, you should make sure you’re partnering with a company that cares about the quality of its work and is capable of delivering the outstanding results you need over and over again.
Here are just a few of the ways in which top-notch fabrication and welding services can benefit your Lexington, OR company:
Durability: Products that have been made with high-quality welds and fabrication will last much longer than products made by welders or fabricators with lower quality standards. Find parts and producers known for their quality so your investment will pay off for many years to come.
Costs: Because high-quality welding and fabrication results in more durable products, this will also mean your costs will be lower over time. You might pay a little bit more initially to cover the upfront costs of the product, but you’ll save money over time by avoiding the need for early replacement.
Reputation: If you always work with high-quality products, your company’s reputation will be bolstered as a result. You don’t want to be known as a company that doesn’t care about quality—delivering quality products is the best way to make a strong impression on buyers.
Quality products are a result of excellent quality control. Machine shops in Lexington, OR should have rigorous quality control measures in place to ensure their quality standards get implemented with every single job they perform.
Visual welding and fabrication inspections are one key step to ensuring this consistent, repeatable quality. During such an inspection, companies inspect materials before they start the weld to make sure they meet quality standards. Then they will frequently test the quality of the weld and materials during the welding process, and inspect the final result upon completion of the weld. If the final product has any issues, they will take the appropriate measures to fix them.
The visual inspection that occurs during the welding process will feature checking for craters that must be filled (to avoid porosity), inspecting weld passes and checking for any types of other faults that could increase the potential for cracks to form in the product later in its life.
It is also important to regularly inspect the equipment used in welding and fabrication. Inspections will include checking for damaged cables, making sure arc voltage is correct and checking all amperage meters. High-quality equipment is crucial for producing high-quality products. At some points, it may become necessary to replace that equipment if the company is to reliably achieve the same levels of quality.
If you’re interested in learning more about what goes into creating high quality in welding and fabrication, we encourage you to get in touch with the team at Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. The experts at our machine shop in Lexington, OR would be pleased to answer any questions you have!
Logging trucks are omnipresent throughout Oregon, thanks to our big timber industry. Transporting heavy logs can be dangerous, however, if your truck isn’t well maintained. Timber is a heavy and potentially lethal load, so it’s crucial that you keep up on your logging truck maintenance and repair in Lexington, OR. In addition, your fleet and drivers will be subject to random inspections while on the road—don’t risk fines, fees or delays.
Here’s an overview of logging truck maintenance. Although you can perform some of these tasks yourself, it’s smart to have a professional team like Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. perform your regular maintenance and repairs.
Engines
Have your drivers keep an eye out for warning signs like loss of power, a decrease in oil pressure or smoking. In addition to being a good indicator your vehicle may be overdue for regular maintenance, these can indicate that your engine is about to fail. Your maintenance provider can do compression checks, monitoring the engine and coolant temperature and keeping an eye on oil pressure. They’ll also check all the engine components to ensure safe operation.
Brakes
Brakes are critical to safety, so make a regular brake maintenance schedule. Replacing brake pads, fluid, drums, springs and pins are all necessary from time to time. Be sure to keep good records of when each component was last checked and replaced—it could save you from liability should an accident occur.
Body
Oregon’s rainy weather can lead to body corrosion. First, wash your truck at least once every 10 days. If you see any chips in the paint, address them immediately—that’s where rust and corrosion are most likely to begin. Keep locks and handles lubricated with WD-40 to improve function and prevent further corrosion.
Electrical systems
Modern trucks use complex electrical systems to keep each component running. Working with a professional company allows you to have these systems checked on a regular basis, by experts who know what to watch out for and how to repair any issues that arise.
Lubrication
Lubricating components like your engine, drivetrain, suspension and steering keeps your logging trucks from overheating. It’ll also prevent grinding and excessive wear and tear. Make lubricating moving parts a regular part of your maintenance plan.
Fluids and filters
Like any vehicle, checking and changing the fluids and filters regularly keeps your logging truck running smoothly, no matter how many mountains you drive up and down. Your maintenance company will be able to suggest the right frequency for your specific equipment.
Other components
Finally, have your maintenance company inspect and repair any safety equipment like belts, cords and other logging security measures. Train your drivers to note any issues during their pre- and post-trip inspections so you have a full list of what needs attention, in addition to regular maintenance.
Staying on top of your logging truck maintenance and repair is key in Lexington, OR. To work out a regular maintenance plan, get in touch with the experts at Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. today.
Now that spring is on the way, construction’s busy season is just around the corner, too. Construction equipment maintenance is key to getting your business off to a great start in Lexington, OR. The rain, snow, wind and ice can take their toll on your machinery. You’ll need to do some preparation to get it ready for your next job. Whether you take care of your equipment maintenance yourself or leave it to the experts at Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc., make sure you make it your top priority.
Here’s a guide to getting your fleet ready for the jobs on your calendar this spring.
Why you need to perform spring maintenance
Pre-season maintenance is important for a few reasons. First, you need your machines to be ready for the first jobs that come along—if they’re not well maintained, you could miss out on income. Second, failing to perform this maintenance doesn’t just mean your equipment might not be up to the task. It could also be a serious safety hazard, affecting your workers, the property and bystanders.
Cold weather, ice and snow can wreak havoc on your machinery. Seals can break, fluid freezes and metal can crack. If you winterized your equipment before the inclement weather set in, you’re less likely to have problems—but you still need to perform spring maintenance to ensure everything is operating smoothly.
Getting equipment ready
Here’s a closer look at how to get your heavy equipment prepared for springtime jobs:
Perform spring maintenance: Your spring maintenance can be done in-house, or you can hire a professional team to whip all your equipment into shape. Basic tasks like changing fluids and filters and cleaning up the interiors are easy to do on your own, but if you run into any issues, you’ll probably need the help of a heavy equipment repair service.
Keep a maintenance log: As you or a professional service are performing maintenance, make sure to keep maintenance logs. They should note the serial and model number, hours of service, date of maintenance, repair history and other important details about each individual vehicle.
Organize your paperwork: This is also a good time to get out your equipment paperwork, including insurance documents, warranties and your professional licensure. Having these documents handy will help in case of any issues.
Inspection tasks
After your spring maintenance is complete, perform a thorough inspection. Before you take your equipment out on the job, check of all the following components one more time. If any of them are malfunctioning, have them repaired before you need to go out on a job. (This is another reason it’s smart to take care of your spring maintenance as soon as possible—you don’t want a job to be delayed because of a malfunctioning part.)
Brakes
Lights and flashers
Hoses and seals
Engine belt
Tires
Boom and arm
Battery
Warning stickers
Once your fleet has been brought up to speed and inspected, you’ll be ready for another successful construction season.
Why not let the pros take care of your spring heavy equipment maintenance in Lexington, OR? Call Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. today to learn more and schedule service.
Safety is always important in the workplace, especially if you’re working around heavy machinery all day. Many machines use hydraulic hoses to move liquids under very high pressure, and these hoses can potentially pose a safety hazard if they’re not properly maintained. A solid preventative care program in Lexington, OR should always include a thorough inspection of your hydraulic fittings. Here are three key things to know about hydraulic fitting maintenance.
Know when to inspect hydraulic hoses
You should regularly inspect every part of your hydraulic hoses to keep up with preventative maintenance. As a general rule, you should inspect any stationary equipment around every three months. The general three-month rule also applies for mobile equipment, except you also need to evaluate exactly how much you use the equipment. When you’re close to hitting 400 hours of use, it’s time to do an inspection.
You also need to take some other factors into account as you plan a preventative maintenance program. Consider your location—if your equipment is operating in extreme temperatures, make it a point to examine all components of your hydraulic hoses on a more frequent basis. Always keep a detailed log of all inspections and repairs so you’re able to monitor maintenance trends and general problem spots.
Recognize the signs of hydraulic hose failure
Pay attention to how your equipment sounds, looks and feels as you’re using it. Since you likely use your equipment frequently, you’ll be able to detect if something’s off. Rely on your eyes, ears and nose to be your inspection tools. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, it’s best to consult the professionals. An experienced technician is able to spot early warning signs of hydraulic hose failure. A technician should inspect hose covers and connectors to look for any damage and perform a complete hose and hydraulic fitting inspection. This should be part of your regular preventative maintenance plan, helping you identify any issues or weaknesses before a failure.
Take a close look at the fittings
Your hose connectors play a vital role in keeping you safe as you use heavy machinery. During hydraulic fitting maintenance in Lexington, OR, a professional technician performs a hydraulic fitting inspection to check your hose connectors for cracks, corrosion and any other damage. A damaged connector will inevitably lead to leaks—or worse, to a burst hose—which is why you need to spot and address these problems immediately. Keep in mind that stretching a hose too tightly can cause the unit to burst at the fitting—perform a careful inspection to make sure this never happens.
Working with heavy machinery can be dangerous, but with the right care and maintenance, you’re able to safely go about your day-to-day business. Even during economic downturns, you should never skimp on preventative maintenance—it can actually save you money in the long run. If you stick to a regular inspection and maintenance schedule and rely on the help of the professionals when necessary, you can feel confident that your hydraulic hose systems are safe and efficient.
To schedule an appointment for a hydraulic fitting inspection in Lexington, OR, reach out to the team at Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. today.
