Whether you own a construction company or are the foreman on a large project, you know having heavy equipment that is in top shape and able to operate as needed each day will be crucial for completing a project on time and on budget. To accomplish this, you need to pay close attention to your equipment’s maintenance. To best keep up with your heavy equipment maintenance, here are six tips you should always follow.
1- Create a Maintenance Schedule
Since your company’s heavy equipment is so crucial to being successful, always create a maintenance schedule for each piece of heavy equipment and stick to it regularly. By doing oil changes or replacing parts along the way, you’ll save money and avoid unexpected delays in production.
2- Inspect for Wear and Tear
If your heavy equipment is older or it is having to perform in harsh environmental conditions, inspecting for wear and tear will be important. From a belt that may be warping to a final drive motor that is beyond repair, finding these problems early on will save time and money.
3- Maintain Accurate Service Records
To keep your heavy equipment properly maintained, you will need to have accurate service records for all pieces of equipment. This will let you know when oil changes need to be done, gears need to be replaced, or even when it may be time to purchase new equipment.
4- Train Your Equipment Operators
One of the quickest ways for heavy equipment to experience problems is through improper use. Whether it is construction excavators or other pieces of equipment, having operators who are properly trained on the use of such equipment will result in fewer unexpected maintenance problems.
5- Make Good Use of Checklists
Even when you have well-trained heavy equipment operators on the job, it will serve you well to have a system of checklists in place that workers need to go over and complete prior to using their piece of equipment. This will not only help with preventive maintenance but also with worker safety. The checklist should cover not only visual inspections of all pieces of equipment but also mechanical inspections as well. Should an operator notice any unusual sounds or other problems with the equipment, having a checklist in place will help locate the source of the problem and get it fixed as quickly as possible.
6- Follow Manufacturer Guidelines
Even when you need to complete a construction project as fast as possible to stay on time and on budget, you should still ensure your equipment operators are continuing to always follow manufacturer guidelines. This will include what can and cannot be done with the equipment, how often it will need to be serviced, and what problems may void the warranty.
Since even the simplest piece of heavy equipment will cost many thousands of dollars, keeping up with maintenance will be critical to your company’s bottom line. By paying close attention to how equipment is being used and any concerns operators may have during inspections or usage, you can keep your company’s heavy equipment in excellent condition.
