Heavy equipment maintenance is an essential task for any business, as it allows the machines to reach optimum performance and prolong their life. By conducting these regular check-ups and repairs on construction and logistical tools, you are both keeping your employees safe and saving up money for short-lived replacements.
Now, you may think of these tasks as a hassle, thinking it would be easy to wait for them to malfunction so they can be replaced. However, by following these simple and easy steps, you’ll be able to prolong the durability of your equipment and tools and prevent any accidents that may come from using faulty equipment.
A safety consultant from London will advise you not to skimp on the maintenance tasks and to remember to devote time and effort to regular repairs and checks of your heavy-duty equipment. Safety and durability are the 2 main benefits that you get from a regular maintenance routine.
Having it strictly imposed in the workplace will allow you to detect any faulty wiring or dysfunctional system that you can correct early on before it gets worse and create a bigger problem. Follow these maintenance tips to prolong the life of your heavy equipment:
Review User-Guides
Equipment manufacturers will include detailed user guides along with their machinery, to educate and inform first-time operators on how to properly use the equipment.
Depending on how complex the task is, the more complicated the handbook will be. However, even though these manufacturers have put so much effort into writing these comprehensive handbooks, if the operator does not read them, then it would all have been nothing.
To make sure that your equipment is used, cleaned, maintained, and operated properly, your machine operators should always read the user guides first before actual use. Having this knowledge will make them better employees and better extend the shelf-life of heavy-duty equipment.
It may be a lengthy read, but putting in the time and effort to learn all the operating technicalities will all be worth it.
Use Appropriate Equipment
Every piece of equipment has its specific task. Sure, some are more capable of multi-tasking than others, but this list of processes is under a particular umbrella that should not be crossed over or experimented on.
As mentioned, before using heavy-duty machinery, the operators should be educated on what it’s for. Other tasks that do not fall under its capabilities should never be attempted as they may endanger people or damage the equipment in the process.
In purchasing equipment for your workplace, do some research first to fully determine which models to buy to ensure that they are perfectly matched for the job. Now, you may be tempted to cut corners by using the same equipment for multiple tasks, but it will only cost you in the long run as the shelf-life of that machinery will be drastically lessened and the cost for replacement and injury compensation is increased.
Do it Regularly
Regular inspections are crucial when using heavy machinery. By making it a habit to evaluate and assess these tools on a daily or weekly basis, you are promoting a culture of safety among your employees and encouraging them to report any observations that may endanger people or damage the machine.
Before you do the inspections, depending on the guideline, you should determine first if it should be done by an engineer or an ordinary employee. You may also ask your machine manufacturer or supplier first to determine the schedule for these maintenance checks.
Remember to Clean
Dust, dirt, and grime can cause the same amount of wear and tear on your heavy-duty equipment, as regular workplace usage would. Any accumulation of the dirt particles in the cogs and screws of your machines can hinder their overall performance.
To prevent this from happening, make sure to train your employees to clean the equipment after a full day’s use. From vacuuming, wiping, waxing, oiling, washing, and more, these tasks are vital maintenance jobs that need to be conducted regularly to extend the durability of your equipment.
You may also do this first thing during the 1st hours of the shift, but it would be better if it’s done after being used to save more time during operational hours.
Refurbish, Don’t Replace
All equipment can fall victim to wear and tear; no matter how much you try to maintain and clean it. When the inevitable happens, you can have 2 options, whether to replace or refurbish it.
Experts suggest the latter as it is more affordable and cheap. A complete overhaul can transform your equipment back into its near-mint condition and have it running for more years.
It’s also best if you upgrade your equipment during refurbishing. For example, if you have forklifts in the workplace, make sure to purchase a counterbalance lift truck rear post from Toronto to add an extra safeguard for your operators. Maintenance and repair are vital steps toward workplace safety and extending machine durability. If you’re looking to save company cash while keeping your employees’ welfare a priority, then always practice these maintenance habits. Be educated and informed of the right things to do when handling heavy-duty equipment, because at the end of the day, a minor maintenance check is better than a full replacement.