5. Have a maintenance and repair schedule, and keep good recordsFluids, tires, tracks and electrical systems are among the components that have to be checked regularly for preventive maintenance. Know what needs to be inspected and when. Here are some examples.Power transmissions have many moving parts that need to be maintained in top condition. Gearboxes need to be checked for lubrication, vibration and damage to parts.Friction materials, seals, gaskets and bearings all need to be inspected for wear and replaced. Gears and shafts usually last a long time and don’t need to be replaced often, if at all.Drive train components need constant monitoring. Check pulleys and v-belts on CVT transmissions for alignment and wear. Check sprockets for correct meshing with chains and for breaks.Test the oil to diagnose problems. Change filters frequently.Bearings keep great amounts of force running smoothly and are vital to large machinery performance. Check bearing lubrication often. Maintaining bearings well extends their life.Lubricate gears frequently.Do a seal check to prevent bearing raceway contamination.Run torque checks on the bolts. Bolts can elongate and creep over time.To conclude, following the above 5 steps can significantly extend the useful life of heavy machinery, improving the Return on Investment from these important purchases. In today’s global manufacturing world, even greater value can be extracted if you have a global knowledge capture and distribution system such that this knowledge of machinery maintenance can be effectively shared across your organization – letting you reap even greater benefits on a much wider scale.

Source: 5 Tips on Machinery Maintenance | MT Blog

1. Keep It RoutineJust like the annual check-up with your physician, a regular check-up on the overall functionality and condition of your heavy machinery helps keep the continuity of what is expected and the standard performance of your equipment. Any non-scheduled emergency maintenance and repair jobs done on heavy machinery are typically fraught with human error and performed in a time crunch.The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that up to 20 percent of industrial accidents are related to maintenance operations, with 15 percent involving worker fatalities. By taking all the necessary preventative measures, not only are you ensuring the stated lifetime of your heavy machinery, but you’re also keeping operators safe.My grandfather always said, “If everything works on your truck, that’s just an excuse for something to break.” It’s this philosophy of constantly checking and maintaining equipment, catching any minor problems before they evolve into bigger and more costly ones, that further drives the point to have regularly scheduled maintenance checks on your earthmoving machinery.

Source: 5 Maintenance Tips for Heavy Machinery

2. Use the Right Tools for the JobMatching your equipment with the exact task that it’s intended to perform requires consideration of a number of variables, including terrain, material composition and elemental effects such as climate, etc. Likewise, it’s important to make certain that all attachments and performance accessories such as buckets and ploughs are made specific to your machine. With the safety of the crew operating this heavy and potentially dangerous equipment in mind, you simply cannot afford any guesswork here.Check and double-check all machinery and attachments before using them in the field. Your workers and your wallet will thank you. When replacing parts, don’t assume the first ones you come across are the right ones for your machinery. Bearings, roller chains, gaskets, seals, etc., must all be the right quality and size and have the correct load-bearing qualities for your machine.

Source: 5 Maintenance Tips for Heavy Machinery

3. Don’t Overwork Your MachinesNever exceed your equipment’s stated performance specifications and limitations as found in your owner/operator manual. As with any industry where heavy equipment is a staple of operation, effectiveness and efficiency are key to optimal performance and yielding the best results for your efforts. Knowing and abiding by weight limits for loads and inclines for transit are an easy way to keep your heavy machinery working.Most modern heavy machines come programmed with multiple power modes. It’s essential for operators to make sure their equipment is set to the correct power mode for the task at hand. Also, minimizing your machinery’s travel and idle time can add longevity to the life of your assets.

Source: 5 Maintenance Tips for Heavy Machinery

4. Put Your Toys Away While performing regular maintenance checks is an active way of preventing damage to your equipment, properly storing your heavy machinery is another necessary, yet more passive method of ensuring optimal and safe performance. All large machinery should be kept in covered, moisture-free storage with environment control if necessary. This will help save your equipment safe from the dangers of water, which can lead to rust and corrosion, as well as from the harshness of direct sunlight.

Source: 5 Maintenance Tips for Heavy Machinery

Tip 2 – Do your research Once you’ve decided what type of equipment you need for your company, start your research. This should include dealers, brands and equipment models. Also include the different components of each model and brand so you can easily compare between models and brands.

Source: 5 quick tips to buying new or used construction equipment

Tip 3 – Find the right dealerFinding a reputable dealer is important and will also involve a bit of investigating. Make sure you check out multiple dealers before deciding where you’re buying equipment from. Don’t hesitate to ask questions from the dealers either. A reputable and trusted dealer can and will answer any question you shoot their way. It’s also a good idea to ask what after-purchase services they offer.

Source: 5 quick tips to buying new or used construction equipment

Tip 4 – Ask for quotationsWhen you visit or call a dealer or manufacturer, ask for a quotation. They’re more than happy to provide quotes to their customers. These quotations will help you determine how much a piece of equipment will cost you overall. Asking quotations from different dealers will help you compare prices and offers, which will also help you choose which dealer to buy equipment from.

Source: 5 quick tips to buying new or used construction equipment

Tip 5 – Take a look at the equipment yourselfBefore deciding which equipment dealer you’ll be buying from, pay the them a visit and check out in person the equipment they are selling. Test drive the equipment if possible and conduct a thorough check of the machine. This will help you determine if the equipment is in good condition, especially if you’re buying it used. Taking the equipment for a test drive will also show you if the equipment is sufficiently easy enough to operate and control.

Source: 5 quick tips to buying new or used construction equipment