How to Increase the Life of your Heavy Machinery?

Any machinery is a significant investment and hence, proper maintenance of such investment becomes necessary. Proper maintenance will not only ensure the smooth running of your heavy machinery and avoid malfunctions but also extend its life and give you higher returns on your investment by minimizing operating costs. 

Take a quick look at our guide to maximizing the life of your construction machinery. 

1. Keep up with the training

Overseeing the correct operation of machinery should be one of the ongoing inspections. While purchasing machinery, make sure to have it inspected as soon as possible. You must also keep up with the training. 

Employees will come and go, and skills will become outdated, which would lead to poor operations and breakdowns. Here are a few things you can do to avoid such unpleasant situations:

• Revise the manuals as per particular work requirement. 
• Rewrite the manuals in simpler language. 
• Provide a brief description to each operator for handy reference. 
• Discover the best practices and apply them to other facilities or locations. 

2. Check the lubricants regularly

Lubricants are generally added to ensure that the machinery works smoothly and without any friction. Scheduling proper lubrication maintenance extends the life of machinery. When it comes to proper maintenance, lubrication is what should top the list. 

Look for excess oil, grease build-up, or leaks around the oil seals. Make sure that the right lubrication is being used. Getting the lubricants checked regularly is one of the best ways to diagnose problems as soon as they occur. 

3. Look out for wear and tear

Wear and tear may occur in a machine due to the following reasons:

• Misaligned gears and belts that cause vibrations. 
• Accidents and poor operating techniques are resulting in shocks. 
• Temperatures are rising due to excessive use, friction, improper lubrication, worn out parts, etc. 
• Belts are becoming warp seals drying up and cracking, bolts loosening up and getting out of shape as the machine grows old with time. 

If you notice any wear and tear on your machinery due to any of the above reasons or other causes, you must take immediate action to replace the worn-out parts. 

4. Maintain cleanliness

There are several parts on heavy equipment that work to keep its parts clean and free from contamination, like seals and filters. Make sure to regularly inspect those seals to determine whether they are in excellent working condition. Change the filters frequently to keep things running smoothly. All the other fundamental parts must be cleaned regularly to avoid malfunctions. 

When machinery is exposed to the outside weather, their chances of developing rust and rot increases significantly. Hence, machinery must be stored indoors, if possible, in a clean environment. If the machinery is not in regular use, then make sure to run it once in a while. 

5. Create the perfect routine

You must be consistent in ensuring proper maintenance of your machinery if you wish to extend its life. And consistency can be best achieved through a well-thought plan. 

A great way to ensure that your machine is kept up to date is to maintain detailed checklists, sign off registers, and regular inspections by a professional. Also, keep a record of the maintenance routine that is performed each time. This will help you to better prepare for contingencies in future. 

6. Keep the engine in good condition

The engine is to the machine what brains are to us humans. Hence, its proper maintenance and care are essential in making sure that the machinery is in good shape. The engine must be sufficiently lubricated with the right kind of oil. Every part of the engine must be lubricated using the correct type of oil. However, care must be taken in not using too much oil for the engine.

You must also inspect the air filtration system and the quality of the fuel used. Look out for any openings that are allowing unfiltered air in, as it can be dangerous for the health of the engine. 

7. Avoid engine modifications

You may consider modifying the power of the engine of your machine. Engine modification is often done using over-fueling, adding other lubricating elements, turbocharging, and many other techniques. 

While this may all sound very tempting to you to draw more power from the engines, the consequences are not worth it. Here's why:

• Firstly, many manufacturers do not accept anything other than the standard specifications for the warranty to be void. 
• Secondly, engine modifications are sure to reduce its service life. 
• Over fueling leads to a decrease in the efficiency of the fuel. In the long run, over-fueling will cost you more. 

If you need a machine of a higher power, it's financially better to opt for a new machine with the desired level of output. 

In conclusion, these above essential tips will extend the useful life of your machinery and offer you a higher return on your investment. Such beneficial knowledge about machine maintenance can be effectively used to enjoy even more significant advantages on a large scale. These tips will not only save you money in the long run but also ensure safety in the workplace.