5 Quick Fixes To Improve Your Construction Equipment Maintenance Schedule
One of the major headaches of running a construction business is taking care of a large assortment of expensive heavy gear. Equipment costs or repairing malfunctioning machinery can be astronomical.
For this reason, the upkeep of construction equipment is very vital. That said, sticking with a preventive maintenance schedule can prove challenging. These five quick fixes should assist in improving the maintenance schedule for your construction machinery.
1. Effectively manage equipment data
A data analytics solution that provides insight into machine productivity should be installed on every unit in your fleet. An analytics system makes it clear to operators when they are effectively managing their work and when they are not getting the most out of their equipment in terms of performance.
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Additionally, the data management system provides information on safety concerns and makes it possible to automate routine tasks to complete them more quickly. Even more importantly, the data from the equipment enables employees to achieve maximum payload, which in turn increases dozer productivity as well as that of other units.
2. Closely monitor operating records
You need to know how things work on the building site before you can improve productivity. Record the amount of time each machine was in use, the expenditures associated with that use, and its return on investment (ROI). The number of working hours will demonstrate the amount of idle time that causes project setbacks and costs money. Once you have determined what is leading to downtime, you can implement the necessary modifications.
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A machine’s operation time, insurance premiums, fuel prices, maintenance fees, depreciation, and any other relevant expenses are included in its operating costs. When you know how much it costs to run your business, you can assess your margins and identify problem spots.
Over a while, a pattern will emerge demonstrating how various components or procedures contribute to slowdowns. From that vantage point, you are in a position to do a productivity analysis on each activity and utilize remote monitoring telemetry to identify when performance concerns develop. Keeping an eye on your machinery is key to running an effective operation.
3. Keep maintenance at regularly scheduled intervals
Maintaining your fleet according to a predetermined plan allows you to get the most value out of your investments while minimizing downtime. Proper maintenance can boost your profitability by 12 to 18 percent and provide you with more dependable machinery. When investing in new machinery, be careful to ask for and go through any accompanying service contracts. Your dealer needs to be willing to stand behind the quality of their job for a certain number of hours and days.
It is essential to conduct routine and preventive maintenance to identify potential problems before they escalate into big-time concerns. You should consult the owner’s handbook to determine when routine maintenance is necessary and which parts should get your attention. In addition, you need to inspect each piece of equipment before and after usage, looking for any indications of damage such as leaks, fractures, filth, wear, or damaged components.
Proper maintenance will guarantee that the skid steer is productive and that the equipment works. At the same time, it will lower the risk of damage. Workers are required to have a basic understanding of machine maintenance, but they should depend on skilled mechanics for more complex overhauls and replacements. If you keep detailed maintenance records, they should be able to tell you the typical number of hours or years that each unit operates on average. You will then be able to predict when a new section will be added to the books.
4. Use the right machines for the current project
Consider the machine’s load and lift capabilities in comparison to the requirements of the work. Is it the appropriate measurement? Other noteworthy aspects include the materials, the environment, and the operator’s level of expertise. If the machine’s engine is too tiny, it will need excessive power and take longer to perform a job. An overly big unit can cause you to waste energy, adding extra expenses to your operation.
Pick the most efficient machinery to ensure timely completion, superior results, and little rework. You should handle project scheduling with this in mind, and assign tasks to your machines following the timetable, blocking off the times, places, and lengths of time for which you want certain machines. When developing the timetable, make the time for inspection and preparation. This will allow you to achieve your greatest level of production.
Additionally, ensure that your building sites are well-organized so that you can assist your operators in avoiding obstructions and slowdowns that reduce productivity. This also helps in the prevention of injuries and equipment damage.
5. Invest your money into technology
The performance of the machines on your construction site may be improved and controlled with the assistance of technology. When you can monitor and control your operations, you can strive to improve the productivity and efficiency of your construction business while reducing the expenses of those activities. For instance, Cat Connect Solutions enables you to monitor the health and performance of each machine. This clarifies areas where adjustments are needed and areas where they are not necessary.
Improving productivity in the construction industry does not need a one-time effort. Rather, it calls for a continuous commitment to using the appropriate methods, strategies, data, and technology.
Conclusion
A number of businesses provide construction equipment maintenance packages, which include checks of the fluids, inspections of the equipment, and evaluations of the overall health of the machinery. They may assist in extending the life of your equipment. Scheduling in-house preventative maintenance for construction equipment is an additional management strategy.
Go for one of the outside maintenance packages by a trusted vendor, or employ your in-house team to keep your equipment on track and properly maintained. That way, you can not only extend the life of your equipment but also prevent project delays due to emergency breakdowns caused by a lack of maintenance.
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