Tips for taking care of your construction equipment
We know what construction equipment is good for and we know that it’s a huge investment for construction companies.
And because of the value they bring, it’s important to take care of them and keep them in the best condition possible.
They have a tough job to do and we cannot build roads, buildings and do general maintenance projects without them.
So, here are a few tips to keep in mind when it comes to taking care of your construction equipment.
Personalise the care-manual
All manufacturers will give you their recommendations and instructions for care and it is important that you follow these guidelines. But if you want to make things easier for yourself and your crew, find a way to personalise and create your own care-manual based on these factory recommendations.
Find ways to carry out maintenance and care tasks in a way that is communicated along the lines of your company culture. That way it will be easier for the team to get on board and understand exactly what it is they need to do and why they need to be doing it. It also helps to personalise it if you find your environment and capabilities differ to those referred to in the official manual and it would be good to find ways to adjust it to accommodate your company.
Provide equipment training
Another tip for taking care of your equipment is providing and ensuring that all equipment managers have the necessary training. And this isn’t just training for operation but training to know when something doesn’t feel or sound right and what the quick fixes are before a professional can take a look at it.
Don’t let unqualified employees play around with your equipment because the damage may end up costing you more than it did to purchase it. Refresher courses won’t hurt and including inspection checks as a pre-operating routine, could also prevent any complications before they happen.
A cleaning routine
You should have a regular maintenance check routine and, in this routine, should be a detailed cleaning routine. Keeping your construction equipment clean can prove a regular task because of the various onsite and weather conditions they face when they’re in use.
Another great thing to do while going about the cleaning of your equipment is to take note of any irregularities or visual damage that may have been done and covered up by dirt. When you’re cleaning, you’re going into a lot of detail and that’s the best time to see if anything is out of place, misplaced or completely damaged.
Also, there’s nothing like clean equipment to make it look and feel as good as new.
Lubricant maintenance
Lubrication is important in the operating of construction vehicles and if you want your equipment to last, you’ll make sure there is enough grease and oil in all the right places and only in the right places.
Lubricants are area-specific when it comes to equipment and besides making sure everything literally runs smoothly, irregularities in applied lubricants can also indicate if there is an issue with a specific area.
Storing of equipment
Now, it doesn’t help to go through so much effort taking care of your equipment but then you leave it outside to rust and go to waste. Not every season is a busy one and there’ll be times when certain equipment doesn’t get used on a regular basis. But they still need to be routinely checked, cleaned, lubricated and cared for nonetheless.
That’s why you need a storage unit or area for your equipment. Some place dry and free from direct sunlight will prevent rust and general deterioration, which means your equipment will always be in the best possible condition and ready for the next job.
Why you want to maintain your equipment
Discussing why you want to maintain and care for your equipment would, basically, be stating the obvious, but we’ll cover it anyway. Use these points as motivation to care more about the state your equipment is in.
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Optimal performance: Maintenance, record keeping and cleaning of your equipment will ensure that it stays in its best possible condition to operate and do its job properly.
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Small chance of big problems: By keeping track of the state of your equipment and taking care of all its needs, you will be preventing the risk of larger issues developing in the long-term.
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Maintain resale value: The better condition your equipment is in, the better deal you’ll be able to sell it for when you start looking for an upgrade. It’s the best way to make the most of your investment.
Prevent mechanical injury: If your equipment is looked after correctly, there will be less risk involved for your equipment operators. And, just as your business may be constructing safer environments for your clients, you need to create as safe an environment as possible for your employees as well.