Construction Equipment Maintenance

What are the steps for Construction Equipment Maintenance? The old adages “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and “a dime of routine and preventive maintenance is worth a dollar in repairs” are well-known in the construction equipment industry. Then there’s the old adage, “Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke.” The first two statements are correct, but the last one should be the furthest thing from a construction equipment service technician’s thoughts.

Preventive maintenance and routine maintenance are inextricably linked. They’re both synonyms for the same thing. Both strive to keep equipment in good working order and avoid costly repairs that pull it out of service unexpectedly. Preventive maintenance, in our opinion, encompasses more than normal and scheduled duties. Potential problems are often predicted by service professionals and mechanics, and they are nipped in the bud before they become serious.

Repair work is viewed by construction equipment maintainers as both proactive and reactive. It’s also known as scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. Preventative maintenance is significantly less expensive than reactive, after-the-fact repairs. Routine and preventative maintenance saves construction businesses a lot of money compared to having to replace expensive parts and deal with costly downtime when an unexpected breakdown occurs.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ROUTINE AND PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE?

Routine heavy equipment maintenance entails arranging routine chores to ensure that machinery performs at its best. Visual inspections, technological monitoring, and oil analysis are all part of preventive maintenance, which allows you to see problems early and correct them before they become serious. Every phase in a company’s preventative maintenance plan should be done on a regular basis.

Every preventative maintenance program revolves around the concept of routine. A regular heavy equipment maintenance program includes operations such as oil changes, lubrication, and tire or track inspections. A full and comprehensive maintenance plan entails much more. It entails putting normal chores on a construction equipment preventative maintenance schedule so that they aren’t forgotten at key points.

Preventive maintenance is a collaborative effort that ensures that equipment is adequately cared for. It entails following the instructions of the original equipment manufacturer as well as implementing what a certain company’s experience with a particular piece of machinery has taught it. Operators and front-line mechanics must also be involved in effective preventive maintenance. Nobody knows equipment like the individuals who build, operate, and maintain it.

WHY ARE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE SO IMPORTANT?

Preventative maintenance is critical for a variety of reasons. Routine preventative maintenance, for the most part, lowers total operating costs and decreases equipment downtime. Repairs and maintenance are necessary to keep parts and components from wearing out prematurely.

Every operator and mechanic understands that a catastrophic failure can start a chain reaction that destroys other sections of the machine. A simple part repair at an early stage of intervention could have prevented a complete system failure like a blown engine or burst hydraulics. Extensive downtime is invariably accompanied by costly downtime. Repair prices and downtime length, according to many experienced mechanics in the equipment maintenance area, are closely proportional.

Preventive and routine maintenance increases the availability of a company’s equipment while lowering overall costs. It improves equipment safety, increases service life, and boosts operator confidence. A good preventive maintenance program might also help you avoid costly litigation. Here are some of the reasons why routine and preventive maintenance is so critical:

• Availability: When equipment fails unexpectedly, the only option is to remove it from service. As a result, the machine is unable to complete its mission and support other equipment on the job. It also leaves a salaried employee idle. It costs money to have machinery that isn’t available. It isn’t profitable until it is repaired and put back to work. Except for planned maintenance, good preventative maintenance ensures that equipment is always available.

• Expenses: Breakdowns aren’t something you prepare for. They aren’t even budgeted expenses. Budgets are used by every profitable heavy equipment company. Routine and preventive maintenance work is planned and budgeted for. Sudden breakdowns frequently exceed budgetary limits. Repair expenditures, when combined with lost income due to equipment downtime, add up to costly charges that could have been avoided with routine maintenance.

• Safety: Machines that are dependable are also safe machines. Keeping all construction equipment in good working order and repairing it on a regular basis greatly improves its safety. Workers may be put at risk if a component fails unexpectedly, and the environment may also be harmed. A preventive maintenance program includes keeping construction equipment safe.

• Durability: Properly maintained construction equipment outlasts badly maintained machinery without a doubt. The longevity of service is increased with proper maintenance. It also pays resale and trade-in value returns. Equipment lasts longer and earns more money while in use. The equipment is then worth more money at the end of its life if it has been correctly maintained.

• Confidence: Machine operators, like construction equipment, are precious assets. Operators, on the other hand, are human beings with emotional needs. One of them is knowing that the equipment they’re working with is safe and reliable. Operators are demoralized by poorly maintained equipment, and they rapidly acquire a lack of confidence, which leads to company disdain. As a result, there is a lack of safe operation or a failure to report potential issues. Routine maintenance can help you avoid poor self-esteem.

• Litigation: Accidents do happen, no matter how well-maintained construction equipment is. When they do, authorities and inquiries into the cause are almost always involved. If the disaster was caused by negligence owing to inadequate maintenance, the equipment owner would be held liable. It may result in legal action. The risk of costly litigation is considerably reduced if there is a clear trail of regular and preventive maintenance.

A well-designed routine and preventive maintenance program increase availability while lowering overall costs. It makes equipment safer, increases operator confidence, and extends the life of the machine. Litigation risk is also reduced by proper maintenance. Every point is met with a complete routine and preventative maintenance program.

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE AND ROUTINE PREPARATION

It takes dedication and commitment to prepare an effective and comprehensive routine and preventive maintenance. It’s a continuous process that separates activities relevant to maintaining various machinery elements based on their specific needs. A comprehensive program is all-inclusive, despite the fact that many everyday tasks contain generic characteristics. It addresses every potential issue by recommending a preventative solution.

Understanding what makes for a good plan is the best method to develop a preventative maintenance program. There is a wealth of material available on the internet and in traditional publications. This is beneficial, but the complexity and intricacies can be daunting. It doesn’t have to be that. Asking five questions and fleshing out the answers is all it takes to make a good strategy. These are the inquiries:

1. What should be included in a preventative maintenance program?

2. Who should be in charge of implementing the plan?

3. When are servicing intervals or milestones scheduled to occur?

4. What is the best way to document?

5. Where can I find clear and relevant information?

1. What should be included in a preventative maintenance program?

Three essential components are covered by routine and preventative maintenance programs. The first step is to schedule normal maintenance jobs such as lubrication and oil or filter changes. Fluid analysis, which is one of the most crucial duties in all equipment service, is also included. Visual inspections, on the other hand, are critical. They go beyond normal maintenance and make it proactive. The final element is a proactive part replacement. Mechanics discover parts that are showing signs of wear or are nearing the end of their expected life. Before they cause difficulties, they’re replaced.

2. Who should be in charge of implementing the plan?

The size of a firm determines who is responsible for conducting a preventative maintenance program. The principal of a small business with hands-on ownership is frequently in charge of the program. The administration is frequently delegated to a fleet manager or head technician in larger businesses. The ideal pick is always someone who is familiar with the equipment and is committed to seeing the plan through.

3. When are servicing intervals or milestones scheduled to occur?

Milestones and intervals need to be met on a regular basis. Seasonal fluctuations, working situations, and equipment operation duration are all important variables to consider. The finest guidance is derived from a mix of the machinery owner’s handbook and on-site operators’ and maintainers’ expertise. The following are often used milestones:

• Engine operating hours

• Traveling distance in miles

• General equipment condition and age.

4. What is the best way to document?

Thanks to contemporary technology, documenting has never been easier. Computer programs and interactive software make it simple to keep track of equipment and predict when it needs to be serviced. In addition, historical data identifies prospective failures due to comparable equipment issues. Because it enables precise planning, documentation is an essential aspect of a preventative maintenance program. It also generates accurate reports when required for inspections or legal defense.

5. Where can I find clear and relevant information?

It might be difficult to find reliable information on construction equipment maintenance. To begin, the original equipment manufacturer is a good source of information, including specifications and maintenance schedules. Industry-specific websites are another excellent resource for bolstering maintenance strategies. Many websites offer templates for putting together software.

However, the greatest place to begin is within the organization. This is accomplished by enlisting the help of your equipment operators, technicians, and mechanics. They’ll work together to create the finest preventive maintenance tool available: a heavy equipment maintenance checklist.

PREPARE A MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST FOR HEAVY EQUIPMENT

Checklists must be comprehensive, identifying every critical and non-critical maintenance point specific to a specific piece of equipment. They detail what should be done and when it should be done. They also remind maintainers to anticipate problems so that they can take preventative action before something goes wrong.

Although checklists are intended to be detailed, they are not intended to be instructional or how-to manuals. Effective checklists, on the other hand, feature listed points that remind the maintainer to pay attention to every aspect. Checklists don’t have to be sophisticated, but they are an essential part of any regular and preventive maintenance program for construction equipment. A heavy machinery maintenance checklist could include the following tasks:

• Batteries: Batteries are infamous for losing charge or dying unexpectedly. A battery’s age, voltage retention, and acid ratio should all be included in a checklist. The terminal and cable conditions are also crucial.

• Belts: Compressors, alternators, and pumps are all belt-driven components on most construction equipment. An equipment list should include belt age, fraying, slackness, and discoloration.

• Body: Using a checklist, inspect and document the general state of your body. Take note of any damage, rust, looseness, or paint flaws.

• Brakes: The condition of the brakes should be near the top of the checklist. The condition of the pads and shoes, as well as the health of the drums and discs, are all important considerations. Fluid levels, pressures, and cable conditions are all important.

• Coolant: Radiator and transmission coolants reveal a lot about the condition of the equipment. Aside from acceptable levels and typical hues, coolants should be analyzed on a regular basis to look for interior issues that aren’t visible to the naked eye.

• Electrical: Checkpoints for electrical components extend beyond battery conditions. Voltage and amperage testing, cable inspection, and fuse conditions should all be included on checklists.

• Exhaust: Exhaust systems provide a wealth of information regarding engine performance. Smoke is another potential indicator, as is an unusual sound. Clamps and hangers, for example, should have their own checklist boxes.

• Filters: There must be a check-off for each filter on the equipment. This contains filters for oil, fuel, air, and hydraulic fluid. Cabin filters are another possibility. Filters were cleaned or replaced, for example, according to the checklist.

• Fluids: Every regular service inspection must include a check of the machinery fluids. Engine oil, hydraulic oil, transmission fluid, and engine coolant fluid analysis are similar to a blood test for humans. They show what’s going on inside the machinery.

• Fuel: The functions of gasoline, diesel, and propane fuel are critical to equipment performance. They won’t run if the gasoline delivery systems aren’t working. Check for checkmarks near fuel pumps, lines, and storage tanks.

• Injectors: Injectors are used to distribute fuel to diesel engines. Injectors that are clogged or malfunctioning have an impact on power and efficiency. Cleaning or replacing injectors should be on any equipment maintenance checklist.

• Lubrication: Greasing and lubricating should go without saying on a check sheet. Important moving regions, such as joints and sleeves, should also be included on the list.

• Safety: A checkbox should be included on every safety device. Seatbelts, lights, horns, locks, and energy lockout points should all be included. Other safety devices, such as fire protection and hazard warning, should also be included on the list.

• Steering: Preventive maintenance inspections are required for every component of the equipment steering system. That includes tie rods, ball joints, idler arms, and even the condition of the wheels.

• Suspension: The suspension components of the equipment are always included in preventive maintenance and proactive tasks. Take note of the springs, struts, shocks, and undercarriage’s condition.

• Tires: If the equipment rolls on tires, it should be noted on the checklist. Tire wear, tread depth, and pressure should all be recorded. Another point to add to the list is balance.

• Tracks: On a maintenance checklist, tracked equipment demands specific attention. Treads, cleats, and idlers should all have their boxes, as well as be in good working order.

• Windshield: Every time a checklist is issued, all glass should be inspected. Chips can quickly turn into vision-impairing fissures. Examine the condition of the mirror and light glass as well.

Source: https://nmccat.com/

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