Category: Heavy Equipment Maintenance

When Do You Need to Have Your Heavy Equipment Repaired?

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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.

The Value of Preventative Equipment Maintenance

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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:

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.

What’s Your Logging Truck Maintenance Plan?

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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.

Readying Heavy Equipment for the Spring

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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:

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.)

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.