Heavy machinery and large construction equipment are a great benefit to every construction company as they are used for heavy lifting and moving ground. However, large construction equipment usually comes at a high cost. This is why heavy machinery maintenance is essential to get the best return on your investment!
No matter the time of the year, it is important that you are taking care of your heavy equipment and making sure every piece is operating correctly. Here are some large construction equipment maintenance tips to help you out!
Commit to a maintenance program
The best way to get the most out of your construction equipment is by implementing a preventive maintenance program. However, having a program will only work if you stay committed to it. Preventive maintenance is different from regular maintenance such as lubrication and changing filters, as it is much broader and inclusive. By implementing and sticking to a preventive maintenance program, you will extend the life of your equipment, minimize unscheduled downtime, and improve the equipment’s resale value.
Use the right tools for the job
Matching your equipment with the work or exact tasks in which it’s intended to be performed is another way you will be able to prolong the life of your equipment. However, this is more complicated than it sounds. When starting a job, it’s very necessary that you are considering all variables including terrain, material composition, and elemental effects such as climate. This means you should also be using the correct attachment for each equipment type or project. Lastly, it’s smart to double check all of your equipment prior to starting your project to ensure there are no loose nuts or bolts that could make your equipment stop working.
Don’t overwork your machines
Another way to extend the life of your equipment and ensure it’s performing properly is to make sure you are not overworking your machines! Construction workers should never exceed their equipment’s stated performance specifications and limitations by following the weight capacity and other specifications to make sure your equipment can handle the job!
Identify common causes of machinery breakdown
Lastly, to help maintain your equipment the best, it’s vital that you are paying attention to how your machines are breaking down, or what is causing them to break. Heavy equipment failure can be broken down into three categories: sudden failure, intermittent failure, and gradual failure. Being able to tell the difference between these, as well as understand how to fix the issue, will help you prolong the life of your equipment tremendously.
It’s inevitable that large construction equipment is costly, however, these heavy machines are essential in carrying out the many tasks construction companies are hired to do. Use these tips to help you prolong the life of your equipment, and ensure your equipment is running at it’s full strength.
At Alex Lyon & Son Auction, we understand how important construction equipment is in the industry. That is why we provide used heavy equipment at all of our online and in-person auctions. To learn about our upcoming auctions, visit our website today!
