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.
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.
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.
