The advancement of technology has produced many wonders. What would be truly wondrous, however, is the production of something that does not break down. In no area would this be more appreciated than in the manufacture of heavy equipment, where the purchase and repair of such machines are vital to industry, yet represent such a drain on resources due to the high cost of such repairs. To help hold off that eventuality, here are three heavy equipment servicing tips you can do regularly.
- Check Heavy Equipment Components Regularly: As a piece of equipment ages, the parts wear down and become unusable. This is a result of the heat, heavy vibration and repeated shocks such parts are subjected to on a regular basis. By checking heavy equipment components regularly, one can be replaced before it breaks, damaging other parts during that process. This check should also include the lubricants needed for various parts. If necessary, add more lubricants and test it to diagnose problems.
- Operator Training: Equipment failure is attributed to user error in 35% of cases, which is not only inconvenient, it is not covered by warranty. Training often only occurs when upon the purchase of a new piece of heavy equipment. Instead, every new hire should be thoroughly trained on a piece of equipment. This should also be maintained for those operators that are not new, providing refreshers to eliminate the development of bad habits.
- Develop A Maintenance Schedule: There are heavy equipment parts that are prone to wear at a far faster rate than others, not to mention the changing and testing of fluids involved in the daily use of the machine. For example, the oil should be tested regularly to diagnose any problems and, just like in a car, it should be changed regularly. Heavy equipment cooling systems must be maintained and drive train components must be monitored constantly.
There is little doubt that someday, every piece of heavy equipment, no matter the environment or industry, must eventually be maintained if the work it performs is expected to continue. These three tips should help hold off the time when such a replacement must occur, so make them a habit to save yourself a lot of money and hassle.