Maintenance Matters: Extending the Life Span of Your Heavy Construction Equipment

Explore the benefits of proactive maintenance and tips to keep your equipment in top condition.

Benefits of Heavy Construction Equipment Maintenance

Regular maintenance is critical for more than equipment performance optimization. Research shows that maintenance impacts construction equipment durability, reliability and performance. Consider the following benefits:

• Cost savings: Choosing preventive instead of reactive maintenance helps avoid costly repairs and replacements. Early detection of minor issues can save significant expenses.
• Enhanced safety: Routine checks ensure equipment operates as it should. Maintaining machinery ensures safety by lowering the risk of accidents from equipment failure.
• Reduced downtime: Preventive maintenance keeps equipment operational and projects on schedule.
• Improved performance: Well-maintained equipment is more efficient. This efficiency results in better fuel economy and increased productivity.
• Extended life: Construction equipment care prolongs the life of components and the machine itself. The longer the machine can operate, the better the return on investment (ROI).

Preventive Maintenance Tips

Preventive maintenance avoids equipment failures and extends equipment longevity through scheduled maintenance. Follow these eight tips for construction equipment upkeep.

1. Create a Preventive Maintenance Plan

Anticipating potential issues or wear helps you take action before problems escalate. The first step is to create or choose a comprehensive preventive maintenance program. Your plan may include:

• Maintenance inspections: Routine inspections are vital to assess the machine’s condition. They usually take place at 250-hour intervals, according to manufacturer guidelines. Partner with certified inspectors to ensure your equipment meets warranty requirements.
• Condition monitoring: Analyzing different data parameters determines equipment health.
• Fluid analysis: Your equipment’s fluid can warn you if it needs changing. By analyzing the fluid, you can tell when to replace components, perform repairs or change filters. Suppliers sell kits that allow you to extract the fluid yourself. You can then send it to a certified laboratory for analysis.
• Failure assessment: This process uncovers the root cause of a machine failure. The analysis involves collecting and evaluating data to understand what caused the malfunction.
• Undercarriage maintenance: The undercarriage endures challenging terrain and conditions that can wear components. Taking care of this vital machine part is critical. Professional undercarriage maintenance services include inspections and parts replacement by certified technicians.

2. Understand Breakdown Causes

Recognizing possible reasons for machinery failures can save money on reactive repairs. Anticipating potential issues allows you to address them before they escalate. Equipment failures fall into three categories:

1. Sudden: The cause of a sudden machine breakdown is usually easy to identify. After repairing or replacing the faulty part, the equipment can return to normal operations.
2. Gradual: Preventive maintenance can solve this type of failure — it can predict worn components for replacement before a breakdown occurs.
3. Intermittent: Heavy equipment may have intervals of operation and sudden breakdowns. Identifying sporadic failure causes can be challenging. Maintenance can prevent this breakdown by anticipating issues, saving you money and downtime.

The cause of equipment failures is most likely temperature-related, mechanical or erratic. Temperature-related malfunctions may occur during cold winter or if the machine overheats. Mechanical failures can result from collision, shock or operator misuse. Maintaining the components can help avoid these types of failures. Tasks include replacing, lubricating or tightening parts. Erratic malfunctions are more complicated to predict. They may occur because of hydraulic or electrical system failures. Diagnostic tools can pick up electrical issues during maintenance.

3. Train Your Employees

Operators are valuable resources — they can give you practical insights and tell when something feels off with a machine. When you suspect a problem, stop operations. Running faulty equipment between service intervals leads to higher repair or replacement costs. Familiarity with equipment best practices is an essential part of an effective preventive maintenance strategy.

Workers trained on the equipment they operate can reduce wear and increase productivity. Training should include:

• Safety: Educating operators on proper safety protocols safeguard your equipment and staff. Topics may cover hazard identification, pre-operational checks and emergency response.
• Machine operation: An operator who knows how to handle a machine will save you money. Ensure they read the manual and demonstrate the controls, systems and safety features. Include a test as part of the training program.
• Daily maintenance: Operators should know how to perform routine maintenance. These day-to-day tasks may include checking for leaks or tightening loose fasteners.

4. Follow the Recommended Maintenance Intervals

Construction equipment care manuals include a factory-recommended maintenance schedule. Manufacturers understand their products best and have developed maintenance schedules based on experience. The intervals consider standard operating conditions.

Machines operating in extreme temperatures or environments may need more frequent servicing. Adhering to the recommended schedule protects your equipment and warranty. Neglecting specified maintenance or using machinery for unintended purposes can void this agreement.

5. Keep Accurate Service Records

Detailed documentation is vital to any preventive maintenance plan. It tracks maintenance history, making it easier to spot patterns and predict future issues. Service records ensure you meet safety and warranty requirements. As a bonus, they show buyers that the equipment is well-maintained, boosting the resale value.

Whether you write it in a booklet or log it on a spreadsheet, include the following information:

• Service date
• Type of service
• Parts replaced
• Next service date
• Notable observations

6. Perform Maintenance Off-Season

Take advantage of quieter off-season periods to maintain your machinery. Businesses that operate in warmer months can reduce downtime by servicing equipment in winter. Tasks may include cleaning, inspection and repair. Planning services around peak times maximizes productivity and uptime.

7. Create a Maintenance Checklist

A detailed checklist helps you to keep track of maintenance tasks. You can arrange the list by service intervals with itemized tasks that you tick off as you complete them. By creating an easy-to-follow list, you can cut errors and avoid missing vital tasks. Your checklist might include:

• Fluid levels: Check engine oil, hydraulic fluid, coolant and fuel levels.
• Filters: Replace air, oil or fuel filters.
• Tires and tracks: Inspect tire pressure and tread condition. For tracked equipment, check track tension and wear.
• Brakes: Test break functionality and check brake fluid level.
• Electrical system: Assess the battery condition, charge, wiring connections and lights.
• Operational checks: Test control functionality, hydraulic system operation and steering.
• Structural integrity: Inspect for cracks or wear on frames and chassis. Check for loose bolts or fasteners.
• Attachments: Ensure buckets, blades or other attachments are in good condition.
• Cleanliness: Remove debris from all areas, including the air intake and exhaust.
• Lubrication: Grease all moving parts as per manufacturer recommendations
• Documentation: Update the service logs, recording maintenance activities and findings.

Extend Your Heavy Equipment’s Life With GT Mid Atlantic Maintenance

GT Mid Atlantic is a leading heavy equipment supplier. We offer maintenance services to keep your construction equipment performing at its best. Our qualified and certified technicians use advanced machinery servicing techniques and an 80-point inspection list.

Top-notch maintenance can boost your machine’s life span and elevate your operations. To schedule a service with us, fill out our online contact form today.