Heavy equipment reliability is at the heart of the world’s most grueling industries.
Construction projects are possible thanks to cranes, excavators, and bulldozers. Modern mining operations are reliant on incredibly specialized, immensely capable machines to power resource extraction in even the most remote, inhospitable environments. Tractors of all types are indispensable beasts of burden on farms large and small.
For all industries that require the use of heavy machinery, maintenance is key to ensuring these invaluable jobsite assets are reliable and long-lasting. However, effective upkeep involves more than just regular fluid changes.
For maximizing the reliability of your equipment, you need to take advantage of today’s latest strategies, technologies, and best practices.
If there’s only one recommendation on this list you act on, make it this one. Modern fleet telematics software not only tracks the whereabouts of your equipment, but it can also relay critical usage and operating information.
These systems can also anticipate upcoming service needs and notify you when it’s time to perform maintenance.
Operator accountability is also improved with the use of telematics. You don’t need to dispatch an equipment operator and hope they’re abiding by best practices. Even without supervision, the data will tell the whole story.
This extra layer of oversight will encourage everyone to treat all equipment as directed: safely, diligently, and respectfully. The result isn’t just a safer workplace—reliability may improve as well, as you’ll be able to use telematics data to coach drivers and operators about best practices for proper operation.
In short, the benefits of telematics software can’t be overstated. It’s one of the best ways to take all the guesswork out of using and servicing your heavy machinery.
Telematics are effective at improving operator performance, but that’s not the only way to reduce driver error and improve jobsite safety. One of the most tried-and-true methods is one you’re likely familiar with: prioritizing upfront training.
Even simple trainings covering basic operating procedures can help users avoid inadvertently endangering others or damaging the equipment. After all, heavy machinery isn’t always as intuitive as, say, driving a car—in fact, it very rarely is.
Comprehensive training and certification requirements are an excellent way to keep safety and proper equipment usage top of mind among employees who operate the most dangerous, expensive, and sensitive machinery at your worksite.
Specialized equipment requires conscientious servicing—and using high-quality parts during routine repairs and maintenance is key to extending an older asset’s useful life.
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), is the gold standard when buying replacement parts, regardless if you’re repairing a regular passenger car, specialized mining rig, or anything in between.
Parts certified as OEM are considered factory-approved replacements for components that were originally installed on the assembly line. OEM is synonymous with quality thanks to their faithfulness to the manufacturing standards and tolerances of the original parts.
By choosing OEM parts—or, if not available, the highest-quality aftermarket parts you can find—you’re opting for the most durable, proven solution there is. Quality components pay dividends in terms of reliability and peace of mind, so don’t skimp on your next service—choose parts that are a cut above rather than cut-rate.
Looking for tips on improving maintenance and reliability? Check out the video below:
Heavy equipment data plates are indispensable to owners, technicians, and operators that use these mighty, mountain-moving machines every day. Just a few strategically placed plaques and placards allow users to know at a glance everything from basic operating procedures to detailed servicing requirements.
However, heavy equipment operators need to ensure their labels can hold up in the most extreme operating environments. That’s where Metalphoto® photosensitive anodized aluminum comes in. This material has been specially developed for use in the harshest, most merciless job sites. It forms the basis for our most durable data plates, load charts, panel faceplates, and maintenance labels.
Even after years of exposure in the worst weather and working conditions, Metalphoto® nameplates will remain as useful as ever, especially given its anticipated outdoor lifespan of 20 years or more.
Quality labels like this are more than just convenient; they ensure that critical asset information remains legible to those who rely on it most. That means data such as service intervals, engine specifications, and starting procedures won’t be lost to time as the years pass.
As equipment ages, readable data plates will help lower the risk of improper usage or incorrect servicing, two major causes of costly, unnecessary repairs.
You probably keep your cell phone in a case. You might also regularly wash and wax your car. These are just two easy examples of ways we protect our own valuable assets in order to extend their useful life.
The same thought process can apply to heavy equipment, which, when protected and stored properly, can last longer and be more reliable to boot.
For instance, for hydraulically actuated equipment such as excavators, never leave attachments suspended in the air when not actively using the machine—doing so puts all the stress on the boom cylinders, which over time could weaken the hydraulic arm and cause it to fail.
When preparing equipment for storage, take some basic steps to ensure it’ll run like new when you need it to. This is especially important prior to long-term storage, as an extended duration of inactivity can have consequences if equipment isn’t correctly prepared for a lengthy slumber.
Adding a fuel stabilizer, raising off the ground if possible, and lubricating all grease fittings are just three common storage-preparation techniques to prevent heavy machinery from deteriorating during hibernation.
When it comes to heavy equipment, reliability walks hand in hand with maintenance: if you fail to do the necessary upkeep, it won’t be long before performance degrades. This could result in downtime that will likely be far more costly to your business than common preventive repairs.
That’s all avoidable, though – and the tips shared here are a great place to start if you want to improve the reliability of your heavy machinery fleet. With our advice, you can keep equipment where it belongs: at the jobsite, and not at the repair shop.
Implementing a preventive maintenance program for heavy equipment involves several steps.
First, conduct a thorough equipment inspection to identify critical components and maintenance requirements.
Next, create a maintenance schedule based on manufacturer recommendations and industry best practices.
Train maintenance staff on proper procedures and document all maintenance activities.
Utilize condition-based monitoring and data analysis to optimize maintenance intervals and address potential issues proactively, reducing downtime and extending equipment life.
Operator training is crucial for ensuring equipment reliability, and can be implemented and reinforced through these steps:
Start with comprehensive training on equipment functions, controls, and safety guidelines. Emphasize proper operating procedures and highlight potential risks. Hands-on training and supervised operation can also reinforce learning.
Encourage operators to report any anomalies or unusual equipment behavior promptly.
Regular refresher courses and skill assessments can help maintain operator proficiency and improve overall equipment performance.
Monitoring equipment health and predicting failures involves using advanced technologies and strategies. Implement condition-based monitoring (CBM) systems to track equipment performance in real-time. CBM uses various sensors to measure parameters like temperature, vibration, and fluid levels to detect abnormalities.
Additionally, use predictive maintenance software that employs machine learning algorithms to analyze data and predict potential failures based on historical patterns. Regular data analysis and continuous improvement of predictive models enhance equipment reliability and reduce unexpected downtime.
Our sales engineers are experts in automatic asset tracking, tagging and identification,a nd can answer all your questions. Get in touch now.
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