Comparing Preventative Maintenance With Predictive Maintenance
Machines should undergo prevention servicing on a set schedule regardless of whether they need immediate attention. When checking for replaceable items, it examines factors that could indicate deterioration in the equipment.
The term “predictive maintenance” refers to when monitoring equipment alerts a requirement for maintenance. Your fleet may need less predictive maintenance than preventative maintenance, depending on how old it is. Older machinery will have to be repaired more frequently as it ages, so you will likely need more services. If you opt for these methods, you’ll need to store accurate records of your service schedule and install monitoring devices on your equipment.
As you monitor your machines, you will determine when the best time is to service your fleet. You will no longer need to perform regular inspections, as the monitoring equipment will do it for you. Innovative technologies are making fleet maintenance more efficient with methods such as this.
An easier, lower-tech approach is to schedule service intervals for your fleet on a regular basis. Nevertheless, if you find that the machinery has more wear each time you service it, then you may have to modify your schedule, especially for older equipment. Inspecting and repairing heavy equipment becomes more necessary as wear increases.
A certain number of usage hours or mileage may trigger preventative maintenance. The schedule is based on the equipment’s use and requires records of how the employees use the equipment, but it doesn’t consider conditions that might cause more strain on the equipment. Motors that run in freezing temperatures are more likely to strain batteries, and motors can overheat if they aren’t properly cooled during hot weather. You may be able to get better service if you apply predictive maintenance to your equipment after use in extreme conditions.
Maintenance of Heavy Equipment Through Preventative Measures
Changing the styles of service you offer does not need to be drastic if your business relies on reactive maintenance. You can use many methods to enhance your maintenance program’s service side. You should employ as many approaches as possible to get the best performance from your equipment, including:
Equipment purchase: When purchasing equipment for your business, make sure you select the correct model. Do not buy an undersized piece of equipment just to save money. Over time, it will wear out sooner and end up costing you more money. Consider the job when choosing construction equipment.
Use correct machinery: Do not use machinery that is not approved for the weight at hand. Incorrect use of equipment, overburdening it, or overloading it can void your warranty, put your workers at risk, and stress the engine and components.
Inspect to clean: After the equipment is cleaned, the worker needs to thoroughly inspect it. During an inspection, the worker should use a checklist to ensure they have checked all components to determine if service is needed. If anything unusual is found, then the machine must be repaired or replaced before going back to work.
Schedule services according to OEM recommendations: Refer to the service schedule recommended by the manufacturer. The vendor, or the manufacturer, will have this information on their website. Technicians that are approved to work on that brand will also know what the scheduled maintenance intervals are.
Worker education: Train employees on how to operate the machines they use. Heavy equipment can be adversely affected by improper use. Untrained workers should never operate the equipment. Also, operators must be taught to recognize potential issues with machinery during operation.
Education of maintenance workers: Reeducate workers who have only performed reactive maintenance on your heavy equipment on the importance of proactive maintenance to prevent bigger problems. Explain to them the importance of preventative maintenance so they’ll understand why their tasks are important to your business.