People who invest in the construction industry know the importance of having a reliable team or crew. Next to that, heavy equipment is a substantial investment they need to look after. Periodic maintenance helps prolong their equipment’s working life and market value. This also helps maximize potential profits when business is booming.
Since heavy equipment is an essential investment, here’s why equipment maintenance is vital and how it can help you save money.
Improve Operations
Your business should always run like a well-oiled machine. Smooth operations are key to a thriving construction business. Those who specialize in hydraulic machinery repair in Utah agree that routine maintenance helps improve your business’ daily operations. They recommend that you include the inspection of your heavy machinery’s engine oil, gear’s lubricants, air filters, hydraulic mechanisms, rubber hoses and belts, fuel filters, tires, and track treads. If any of these fail, it will impact operations. Repairs aren’t only costly but also lead to downtime, affecting your revenue targets.
Promote Operator Safety
One of the critical benefits of routine equipment maintenance is operator safety. The leading causes of injuries or deaths in a construction site involve heavy machinery. Skipping regular maintenance may lead to workplace accidents. Keep in mind that lawsuits and paying damages are far more expensive than keeping your crew and equipment safe.
So, make sure to promote work and operator safety, day in and day out. Create a routine for your team to follow before using the equipment. Make sure to include this routine checklist during their training to help them understand its importance. Injured workers and days at court will lead to project delays. After all, your workers are your best asset in this kind of business.
Understand How Machines Work
If you own a car or pickup truck, treat your heavy equipment as you would treat your ride. Get to know how these equipment work by reading their operator’s manual. Similar to your vehicle’s service manual, it is a gold mine of vital information about your machines. They will show you the operation basics, parts prone to wear-and-tear, operation limits, or a machine’s capacity. It will show you the recommended maintenance cycle for each type of machine.
Manuals also have sections on how to deal with equipment malfunctions. They provide step-by-step guides, which can help you troubleshoot the problems. Understanding your machine is mandatory for any equipment operator.
Encourage Your Operators to Report Problems
Apart from reading the owner’s manual and getting to know your construction equipment, the operators are excellent sources of information. Think of it as a bond between a man and his machine. Similar to how you or most car enthusiasts love their vehicles, equipment operators “feel” how their machines work and if there are any irregularities with the performance or possible signs of danger.
So, always hold a meeting with your team and encourage them to report any problems they encounter. Listen to them and take note of their reports. It’s best to keep a record of their reports to remind yourself about the necessary maintenance. Both your operator’s safety and the equipment’s reliability will be assured if you put this into good practice.
Periodic maintenance will help you save money from repair costs, project delays, and injury lawsuits. Follow our suggestions to have a productive and incident-free day at the worksite.
