Any construction work can be done faster if all the equipment is optimized to perform excellently.
However, there are still some who don’t abide by this and fail to see the importance of regular maintenance.
Properly maintained heavy equipment will help you increase your bottom-line, prevent project delays, and even avoid accidents. More than anything else, these pieces of equipment are an investment that should be appropriately taken care of.
Here are some of the reason why heavy equipment maintenance is important:
Stops You From Losing Money
Getting an expert to check your piece of equipment isn’t free. It may sometimes feel daunting to have heavy equipment thoroughly checked, as it involves scheduling maintenance and footing the bill. But, this process is important when you want to maintain a healthy bottom-line.
What you’re paying these experts for is their ability to tune your machine or assess your heavy equipment tracks and give you peace of mind. A device that works efficiently gets the job done faster and keeps productivity level at an optimum level.
Helps You Avoid Accidents
More than being able to save money, another importance of heavy equipment maintenance is safety. According to research, 4 out of 100 construction workers experience some kind of injury from the job site. These accidents may have been caused by a number of factors but are mostly due to defective equipment.
Here are some common accidents caused by heavy equipment:
- Hit by a power vehicle
- Hit by an ejected object from equipment
- Crushed by a falling structure
While it nobody’s fault when these accidents happen, a lot has to be said when it comes to equipment maintenance and proper equipment training.
Fixes Small Problems Before They Get Expensive
Let’s face it; there are times where we just shrug off the small changes in the daily equipment we use. We may be complicit in a larger problem though, these small changes can actually create compounded problems for us in the long run.
Working around a small problem isn’t the best route. While it may seem practical not to get a professional to inspect your equipment at the moment, you’ll be surprised to find out that these small problems can actually be a symptom of a bigger headache.
Practice the following maintenance tips to extend the life of your equipment:
- Refer to the operators manual on how to operate the machine properly.
- Lubricate moving parts as much as you can. Get the recommended lubricant for the equipment you have.
- Replace worn out parts due to wear and tear. Be watchful of excessive wear due to improper use or equipment age.
- Maintain a clean working environment to avoid contamination and debris getting stuck in your machine.
Maintains Your Warranty Coverage
These pieces of heavy equipment cost a lot of money, and because of that, there will be warranty coverage for them. Manufacturers will obviously require the owner to ensure that the equipment is appropriately taken care of and inspected.
Machine warranties also call for detailed service records which can only be provided by a professional. You also need to keep service receipts and repair history documentation to prove that a repair was required even if you follow a strict preventive maintenance schedule.
It only makes sense to take care of your warranty when you’ve invested so much money into a piece of equipment.
It Helps You To Sell It Faster
The construction industry market brought in close to £110 million in 2017. There is a big chance that you are thinking of selling off your old heavy equipment for newer models.
Selling a machine that runs poorly and has major repairs needed will do no good for you. If you want to reap the benefits of your machinery investment, you have to have your service records and documentation ready for a sale.
Your service record should answer the following questions:
- Is this machine safe?
- Is this machine maintained to perform well in any condition?
- What repairs have been done to it?
Whether you’d be trading or selling, if you can provide proof of maintenance work to your buyer you’ll have the upper hand when it comes to pricing.
Conclusion
Unnecessary repairs and unplanned maintenance work is costly, time-consuming, and poses safety concerns. If you want to finish the job on time and keep everything running as smoothly as possible, you better take preventive maintenance seriously.
No matter what the condition of the machine is, have it checked and maintained by a professional.