Heavy Machinery Maintenance: Keep Your Machinery in Working Condition – Custom Truck
In general, heavy machinery owners can use the wisdom they’ve learned about their personal vehicles to keep machinery in top working condition. However, work trucks and other pieces of construction equipment have special needs.
To keep your heavy machinery in the best condition, follow these five best practices. No matter what kind of machinery you have, whether it’s a fleet of diggers or vacuum excavators, adapt these tips to suit your needs.
- Protect Wiring and Hydraulic Lines
Heavy machinery has more external components than the average vehicle. Hydraulic lines and electrical wiring powers dump trucks, boom trucks and just about any piece of machinery. It is important to regularly test electrical systems to ensure they function properly. Work sites are often full of threats to these components:
- Dust
- Sharp materials
- Stress from heavy loads and frequent use
- Harsh weather conditions
Protect these parts by putting a cover over heavy machinery when they’re not in use. Before the end of the day, inspect these elements for dangerous wear and tear. Keeping lift components in top working condition is one of the first lines of defense. OSHA guidelines about heavy machinery mandate that electrical wiring components be “maintained in a dust-tight, dust-ignition-proof, or explosion-proof condition, as appropriate.” It is also crucial to track electronic components by their model and serial numbers to facilitate better decision-making regarding repairs and operational efficiency.
- Monitor Axle and Tire Health
The ground around construction sites is often rough and rugged. While heavy machinery has tougher axles and suspension than regular vehicles, these conditions are hard on axles and tires.
Dislodge any large pieces of debris stuck around tires and axles. To prevent future issues, monitor tire tread depth and axle alignment and replace or have those parts serviced per manufacturer recommendations.
- Lubricate Regularly
Once again, heavy machinery has a lot of moving parts. Most of those parts need frequent lubrication. The type of lubricant and how often you should lubricate a piece of equipment varies, but failing to lubricate may lead to increased downtime and accidents. It is also important to maintain hydraulic fluid levels to ensure the machinery operates smoothly and to prevent potential failures.
Lubricate all moving parts per manufacturer instructions to increase the lifespan of any piece of equipment, saving you money, time and your team’s lives.
- Schedule Regular Cleaning
Maintenance best practices start with regular cleaning. This isn’t just a time to make your fleet look like it’s in the best condition possible — it’s a great time to check a piece of heavy equipment’s overall status.
With a thorough cleaning, you may discover pieces of debris stuck in a vehicle’s undercarriage. When using hydraulic components while they’re wet, leaks will be shown through bubbles around the area. Monitoring the hydraulic system can reveal critical insights into the health and maintenance needs of machinery. In general, heavy machinery cleaning ensures your team has an intimate knowledge of every vehicle’s nooks and crannies. Machine operators play a crucial role in understanding and maintaining equipment due to their hands-on experience and daily interaction with the machinery.
- Keep In-depth Maintenance Records
Every time you perform maintenance on a piece of heavy machinery, put all notes, observations, pictures work orders and receipts in a file. If you have frequent issues with a particular piece of equipment, this paper trail is invaluable to getting to the root of the issue. Operator training is essential in ensuring machinery safety, productivity, and longevity, as well-trained operators can recognize early signs of equipment failure and contribute to preventative maintenance.
Introduction to Maintenance
Heavy equipment maintenance is a critical aspect of ensuring the optimal performance and longevity of construction equipment. Regular maintenance helps prevent equipment failure, reduces repair costs, and minimizes downtime. By adhering to a consistent maintenance schedule, you can keep your machinery in peak condition, ensuring it operates efficiently and safely. In this section, we will discuss the importance of regular maintenance and provide an overview of the maintenance process.
Importance of Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance is essential for heavy equipment as it helps prevent costly repairs, reduces the risk of equipment failure, and ensures compliance with safety regulations. A well-maintained machine operates at peak performance, reducing fuel consumption and lowering operating costs. Additionally, regular maintenance helps extend the service life of critical components, such as hydraulic systems and engine oil, reducing the need for premature replacements. By prioritizing regular maintenance, equipment operators can minimize downtime, reduce labor costs, and ensure the overall efficiency of their operations.
Having Heavy Machinery Issues? Get Heavy Equipment Maintenance Checked Out
At Custom Truck One Source, we don’t just rent new and used construction vehicles. We provide heavy equipment service and maintenance across the US. Maintaining the entire fleet is crucial for ensuring consistency and reliability in operations. With more than 60 highly-trained mobile technicians and 150 shop mechanics, we can help keep your fleet in top working condition. A well-structured heavy equipment maintenance program not only extends the lifespan of your machinery but also enhances safety and boosts efficiency. To find out more about enacting maintenance best practices, contact us today. Maintenance management software helps streamline the management of maintenance tasks, improving efficiency and facilitating data-driven decision-making.
Creating a Preventive Maintenance Program
A preventive maintenance program is a proactive approach to maintaining heavy equipment. It involves scheduling regular maintenance tasks, such as routine cleaning, oil changes, and inspections, to prevent equipment failure and reduce repair costs. To create an effective preventive maintenance program, start by developing a comprehensive maintenance schedule that outlines specific tasks and their frequency. Ensure that all maintenance activities are documented and tracked to identify patterns and address recurring issues. By implementing a preventive maintenance program, you can maintain your heavy equipment in optimal condition, extend its service life, and avoid costly breakdowns.
Maintenance Management
Maintenance management involves overseeing the maintenance process, including scheduling, tracking, and performing maintenance tasks. Effective maintenance management helps ensure that equipment is properly maintained, reducing the risk of equipment failure and minimizing downtime. Utilizing maintenance management software can streamline this process by keeping track of maintenance schedules, historical data, and required maintenance tasks. This specialized software helps ensure that all maintenance activities are performed on time and that any issues are promptly addressed. By investing in maintenance management, you can enhance the efficiency of your maintenance efforts and keep your heavy equipment in top working order.
Equipment Performance and Monitoring
Equipment performance monitoring involves tracking the condition and performance of heavy equipment to identify potential issues before they become major problems. This can be done using specialized software, such as maintenance management software, which helps track equipment hours, maintenance schedules, and repair costs. By monitoring equipment performance, equipment operators can identify areas for improvement, optimize maintenance schedules, and reduce the risk of equipment failure. Implementing an effective monitoring program allows you to keep track of your entire fleet’s performance, ensuring timely service and minimizing costly downtime. By staying proactive, you can maintain your heavy equipment at optimal performance levels and extend its service life.