How to service and maintain construction equipment.Say the words "down time" to any mining contractor, and one is guaranteed to see him cringe cringe intr.v. cringed, cring·ing, cring·es 1. To shrink back, as in fear; cower. 2. To behave in a servile way; fawn. n. An act or instance of cringing. . Down time is one of the most costly situations on any job site, but it can largely be avoided by implementing a policy of preventative maintenance, such as fluid level checks and pressure checks. Although preventative maintenance makes sense to everyone, there are many different avenues that lead to the same destination. By exploring the pros and cons pros and cons Noun, pl the advantages and disadvantages of a situation [Latin pro for + con(tra) against] of each, business owners can choose the alternative that best fulfills their company's needs. In the case of operators who own one piece of equipment, for example, an excavator ex·ca·va·tor n. An instrument, such as a sharp spoon or curette, used in scraping out pathological tissue. excavator (eks´k digging basements, they will probably choose to handle preventative maintenance themselves. All operators, whether directly responsible for maintenance or not, should grease grease, mixture of lubricant and thickener. It is used to reduce friction between surfaces from which oils would leak away or cause damage by dripping, or where lubrication must be assured for extended periods. Many greases are mixtures of mineral oil and soap. their equipment on a daily basis. This reduces rubbing rubbing, v creating friction and heat by drawing the hands across the body at varying speeds, rhythms, and depths. Benefits include muscle elongation, tension release, and increased flexibility. metal on metal, which causes excessive wear and leads to unnecessary repairs or replacement. Larger companies often employ one or two mechanics to do service calls and repair work on site. There are also savings to be had through buying stock requirements in bulk. Leasing equipment provides warranties on breakage due to manufacturers' defects, but it doesn't necessarily cover service and maintenance. It is possible, at the time of leasing, to make arrangements for a maintenance program, but the full-service lease Full-service lease Also called rental lease. Arrangement in which lessor promises to maintain and insure the equipment leased. option is difficult to price up because it must be individually calculated, based on application and hours of usage. This may be the best option for a contractor unsure of the kind of wear and tear in store for a new piece of equipment. Once calculated, service and maintenance costs can be budgeted for in advance. One final option is a guaranteed maintenance contract. This is calculated according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the expected hours of usage of each piece of equipment over the course of a year. Time factors are based on the labour and on what's being serviced. Make sure preventative maintenance is performed at the intervals recommended by the manufacturer. Your operator is your first line of defence. Institute a policy regarding communication of information to the foreman or service mechanic if the operator notices a piece of equipment isn't functioning properly. PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE Preventative maintenance repairs made at the end of a shift cost less in down time than emergency repairs made during a shift. |
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