Heavy machinery is expensive and can cost your business thousands of dollars to repair. Even before the pandemic, 82% of companies experienced unplanned downtime. This can cost up to $250K an hour, depending on your industry.
To keep your plant equipment running smoothly, it’s vital that you service and maintain your heavy plant equipment. Here’s a guide of what you should do to help ensure your operation continues to run smoothly.Clean Thoroughly
It’s essential to clean your machinery to retain lubricant levels. Dust, soot, and dirt clog the machinery’s cooling fans, vents, filters, and seals. This buildup can decrease your machine’s overall performance.
The easiest way to clean your heavy equipment is to use a hose to forcefully remove the dirt. There are a few parts that may be trickier to clean like brass bearings or iron chains. They may have grease or grime, which need more powerful cleaning methods like steam cleaning, acid washing, or pressure washing to remove grime.
Replace Lubricants
Along with removing grime and dirt, heavy equipment needs lubricants to function. Lubricants reduce friction to decrease wear and tear on moving parts. Lubricants can also prevent soot buildup inside machines.
Check your lubricant level for an excessive buildup of grease or any seal leaks. Be sure you use the manufacturer’s recommended lubricant, and use the right amount specified in the manual.
Too much lubricant can cause performance issues. If you don’t use enough lubricant, you can increase friction and wear and tear on your machine.
Don’t Overwork Your Machines
You should familiarize yourself with your equipment’s performance specifications and limitations. You don’t want to overextend your machines, so you want to educate yourself on weight limits and transit inclines to keep them working.
Most modern machines are programmed for multiple power modes, so it’s essential that your operators know and check that their equipment is set on the right power mode for each task. You should also minimize travel and idle time for your machinery to add longevity.
Check for Wear and Tear
Set up a regular schedule to check for wear and tear. There are different things that cause wear and tear over time including age, accidents, environmental factors, and poor operating habits.
Even with all the proper precautions, aging will get your machine’s critical components, such as seals, belts, and bolts. Along with these mechanical components, you should also look at the electrical wires and electronics. High temperatures and dust can damage the circuits and wires if they are not covered.
You should also inspect alternators, starters, and other electrical parts. When you need new parts or need to replace your machinery or construction vehicles, you can check out sites like www.vistaequipment.com.
Store Everything the Right Way
While checking and cleaning your equipment regularly is vital, you also need to make sure you store your machinery properly to extend its lifespan. You should cover your large machinery, but be sure that the storage is moisture-free to avoid rust and corrosion. You should also avoid direct sunlight, which is also harsh.
Taking Care of Your Heavy Plant Equipment
Your heavy plant equipment is the workhorse of your operation, and probably one of your most expensive investments. Be sure you train your employees to properly use, clean, and store your equipment. Make sure maintenance and regular inspections are on your schedule.
For more advice on your business operations, keep checking out our site.
