1. Make Sure Operators Know The Machines
One of the most important things you need to do is stick to hiring experienced operators. You need to ensure that the equipment operators you hire have all of the requisite experience to handle them. The operators need to know what they are doing and they need to be adequately trained on the in’s and out’s of using them. A lot of manufacturers and distributors of machines will provide you with free training to ensure you use them properly.
Any operator needs to know the in’s and out’s of the machines before even beginning to use them. Also, you need them to inspect the machine before use. The priorities should always be proper operation and safety.
2. Conduct Preventive Maintenance
You’ll want to ensure that you are establishing a complete culture of safety. Because of this, you want to adhere to the right schedule for maintenance. Maintenance is essential for keeping your machines working properly. You need to adhere to the guidelines set forth by the manufacturer to do this. This can help you spot any early warning signs and it can help to keep you from having larger scale breakdowns that you need to worry about.
You’ll want to look at the manufacturer’s maintenance advice because it will ensure that the machine is always operating efficiently. The manufacturer creates these maintenance guidelines for the benefit of the owners of the machines even if you think it’s to make more money.
You can always ask your operator to check the machine after using it every time. A quick check can give you a good idea of when maintenance needs to be done. However, you’ll want a much more thorough inspection too.
3. Schedule Cleanings
Whenever you are looking to keep your equipment in the best condition, you’ll want to ensure that you are scheduling cleanings regularly. You’ll find that construction sites are typically very dirty and messy. There are typically a lot of challenging terrains that you’ll have to deal with. Because of this, the machines can wear down earlier than expected. By cleaning and maintaining the machine regularly, you can keep your machine from breaking down too early.
You’ll want to spend some time cleaning out the machines and trucks on occasion, tools to keep your equipment clean and in great condition is available at the surplus database. This includes taking mud out of the seams and more. Mud buildup and other issues could lead to your equipment and machinery getting damaged. You want to have a maintenance crew checking your equipment and regularly cleaning them when needed.
4. Protect The Electrical Wiring
You’re going to want to ensure that you are protecting the electrical wiring of all of your machinery. Your machinery is very expensive and the electrical components are perhaps the most vulnerable area of them. You’ll find that machinery typically gets subjected to extreme weather conditions especially during the winter months. Whether it’s ice or snow, you’ll have machines getting exposed a lot to unfavorable weather conditions. This can end up causing your machines to rust because they are typically made completely out of metal.
You’ll want your machines to be protected from the elements. The best way to do this is by storing your machines in a garage if they aren’t actively being used. However, this isn’t always possible. In the case where you cannot do this, you’ll want to put a tarp over it to keep the wiring from getting exposed to water.
5. Understand the Machines
You’ll want to understand what machines need. Knowing what components need extra attention can help you keep an eye out for things. Here are some of the components that you need to focus on when doing routine checkups:
– Oil
You need to ensure that you are checking for oil leaks regularly. If you don’t check your machines regularly, this can become a big problem. While a lot of people assume oil leaks are harmless, they can end up causing your workplace to become unsafe due to slippage and they can signal a breakdown in your machine.
– Misalignment Of Axles
You also need to ensure that you keep an eye out for misalignment troubles. Your machines are likely to be subject to challenging terrain. This can end up taking a significant toll on your machine. You’ll find your trucks becoming vulnerable to misalignment which can lead to further issues including accidents.
