Street cleaning, sewer maintenance and snow removal are just a few critical tasks your municipality manages to maintain your local community. Though operator training and adequate staff are essential for these routine maintenance tasks, the equipment they use is just as important. Heavy construction equipment enables you to complete a variety of jobs with efficiency, including roadwork, landscaping, removing debris and agricultural tasks.

However, using outdated equipment can lead to decreased productivity and safety risks. Buying or renting high-quality public works equipment from trusted brands can provide you with long-lasting solutions, particularly when they’re well-maintained. Use this guide to learn effective tips for optimizing the use of heavy construction equipment for municipal maintenance.

Best Practices for Maximizing Heavy Equipment Operations

Whether you own or rent the equipment in your fleet, it’s critical to keep them running smoothly. Here’s a general maintenance checklist to help you achieve faster job completion and extend the life of your essential equipment.

1. Check Lubricant Levels

Most types of heavy construction equipment require some lubrication in pivot points to keep the machine functioning. Proper lubrication can prevent excessive wear and tear on your machines and reduce friction between parts. You should frequently check the lubricant levels in your equipment to ensure it’s at the proper amount.

If you notice your lubricant levels are often too low, inspect the machine for oil seal leaks. Keep in mind that too much lubrication can cause grease build-up and performance issues. Be sure to only use lubricant recommended by the manufacturer.

2. Perform Regular Inspections

All heavy equipment should be periodically inspected depending on how often you operate them and the type of job you use them for. Thorough inspections may be performed several times a year, but it’s also important to conduct a visual inspection on a daily and weekly basis. This can include:

  • Checking for visible damage and leaks
  • Ensuring proper tire condition
  • Listening for unusual sounds or warning indicators
  • Monitoring fluid levels and gauges
  • Verifying that all safety features, signals and lights work

Efficient municipal maintenance can provide a more detailed look at hydraulic systems, radiators, cooling fins and transmission conditions. A certified technician can perform customized maintenance inspections to ensure your machines continue to work at their best.

3. Keep Machines Clean

Public facility upkeep can help improve air quality, cleanliness and functionality in your community. However, your streets and facilities are only as clean as the machines you use to clean them. For instance, you might clean handheld tools more often because you can see the buildup of dirt and how it impacts the tool’s functionality. The same goes for heavy duty equipment. These machines are often subjected to hours in the sun, rain and wind, which can increase the chance of dirt getting into the bearings and seals.

Cleaning your heavy equipment can help your fleet function efficiently, minimize operational costs and maximize productivity. Some cleaning methods can include:

  • Keeping the cab interior clean for operator comfort and functionality
  • Clearing visible debris and dirt from machines
  • Cleaning air filters
  • Hosing off traces of dirt
  • Checking seals, cooling fans and vents for soot and dust

4. Replace Parts as Needed

Municipal maintenance machinery may need some replacement parts from time to time. If you notice a part on your machine, such as the engine or belt, has been delivering substandard performance, it’s likely headed for significant damage. Replacing parts before they break can help you keep your machines working longer. You can perform parts replacements during your scheduled inspections and maintenance checklist. Check your machines to see if you need to replace their:

  • Air filters
  • Fuel filters
  • Oil filters
  • Fluid levels

You can rely on trained experts to help you find replacement parts or service your machine to keep it operating properly.

5. Adhere to Machine Specifications

All heavy machinery has specific operating requirements and limitations, such as the maximum load capacity, operating pressure and temperature ranges. It’s important for all employees and operators to know the performance limitations of your fleet, as this can help prevent wear and tear and improve longevity. Additionally, staying within performance specifications keeps operators safe.

6. Train Employees

Improper operator training can increase risks of damage, injuries and equipment failure. It’s imperative to train all employees and operators to know how to handle specific types of heavy equipment. Depending on your local and state laws, you may be required to hire employees with specific training and certifications.

Employees should also know the proper safety precautions and emergency action plans in the event of equipment breakdown. It can also help to regularly update your training resources and keep tenured employees up to date on their skills.

7. Schedule Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance is key for safe and productive operations. Taking proactive measures can preserve your fleet and reduce costs associated with breakdowns, equipment failure and downtime. Preventive maintenance can also reduce the need for repairs, increase performance and lower fuel consumption.

Only fixing your equipment upon failure can interrupt your operations and result in costly delays. A scheduled preventive maintenance regimen can prolong your equipment’s operational life and create a safe work environment.

Benefits of Regular Equipment Maintenance

Waiting for your equipment to break down before you take it for repairs can result in significant downtime in your operations and make it challenging to keep your streets and utilities clean. Let’s look at the benefits of preventive maintenance for construction equipment:

  • Cost savings: Preventive maintenance is a cost-effective way to keep your equipment running. If your machines break down, you’ll have many more expenses on your hands, including repairs, replacements and lost productivity. Regular service can help you avoid major breakdowns.
  • Improved safety: Neglected equipment may be more likely to experience damage, malfunction or failure. Routine maintenance tools for municipalities help your machines operate reliably to reduce the risk of accidents, injuries, liabilities and safety hazards. Maintenance keeps your equipment as safe as possible so your employees can work with confidence.
  • Peak equipment performance: Efficiency is important in every industry, especially where the public are concerned. Regular equipment inspections and maintenance enable you to catch minor problems before they get worse.
  • Extended equipment life span: When you purchase or rent heavy equipment, you expect it to complete the job it’s designed for. Without proper care, however, they may not live up to their potential. You can prolong the life span of your machines by scheduling equipment maintenance to address potential issues early.

The importance of high-quality heavy equipment for public works cannot be overstated. Reputable brands are more likely to feature reliable components specifically designed to meet unique needs on worksites in the municipal industry.

Contact GT Mid Atlantic for Heavy Equipment Rentals and Service

Your fleet requires reliable machines to keep your streets and community clean. GT Mid Atlantic offers a range of high-quality construction equipment and attachments. We have extensive experience helping governments and municipalities find the right machines for their needs, including compact, utility, construction, paving and specialty equipment. As a proud dealer of industry-leading manufacturers like CASE Construction and Rubblemaster, we make it easy to find a variety of new, used and rental equipment.

We also offer replacement and repair services to extend the life of your equipment. You can count on us for maintenance inspections, fluid analysis, undercarriage maintenance and emergency service. Contact us today to learn about our equipment solutions for your government or municipal needs.