5 Benefits of Preventive Maintenance for Heavy Equipment
What are the benefits of preventive maintenance for heavy equipment?
- Prolong the life expectancy of equipment
- Prevent large-scale repairs
- Reduce operation downtimes
- Lessen business costs
- Improve worker safety
From frequent oil changes, coolant replacements, engine checks, and exterior inspections—preventive maintenance plays a vital role in the overall working condition of your heavy equipment in the Philippines. Instead of waiting for malfunctions to occur, being on top of your regular service schedule is one of the best things you can do to prevent costly problems for your business. If you want to know the benefits of preventive maintenance for heavy equipment, keep on reading to learn more!
Prolong The Life Expectancy of Equipment
All material objects have an estimated life expectancy. But if you take care of your possessions, they will last for years. That’s why even if heavy equipment has an approximate useful life, some factors will influence its life cycle.
One of these is operator error. Certain equipment is built with limited capacities. If they’re overworked or overloaded, it puts unnecessary strain on the engine and the parts. If this is done constantly, the machine will eventually break down sooner than expected. To solve this, companies train their operators to work within the equipment’s limits. Other than that, preventive maintenance also has a huge role in prolonging the life expectancy of your equipment.
For example, oil, fluid, and filter changes ensure that the parts are in the best condition every time. The moving parts also need to be lubricated properly, otherwise, the components can wear down over time. If you don’t have the proper coolant, your equipment can also overheat and damage the engine. All of this can affect the life expectancy of your equipment.
Prevent Large-Scale Repairs
Daily pre and post-operation checklists are required by most companies to keep their equipment in the best condition. This lists down all the parts that must be inspected before and after use. It is also typically used before strong an equipment long-term. If done consistently, it can help inspectors detect problems in advance and report them to the authorities for fixing. Although it takes time, it’s the best practice to prevent large-scale repairs and replacements.
In addition to daily inspection, scheduled preventive maintenance services are also done by licensed technicians. They will recommend whether you need to set an appointment monthly, semiannually, or yearly for checkups.
During the process of oil changes, exterior inspections, and other maintenance services, your technician will also determine if there are problems that need to be fixed. If your equipment is brought for a check-up regularly, you can fix small problems easily and prevent them from snowballing into large-scale repairs.
Reduce Operation Downtimes
Whether it’s a logistic facility, a construction site, or a mining company, all organizations operate on a set schedule. A production goal must be hit by a specific week or a structure should already be complete after a number of months. If you hit a roadblock, it could affect your timeline and ruin your plans.
When equipment suddenly breaks down, it can affect your team’s productivity. Unexpected repairs can lead to emergency maintenance—which can take longer than preventive maintenance activities. If you don’t have an equipment expert in your facility, outsourcing repair experts can also be time-consuming. If you don’t have spare equipment for this situation, you have to halt your business activities while waiting for the repair to be finished.
Preventive maintenance can help reduce downtime. Because they’re scheduled in your timetable, it doesn’t affect the productivity and efficiency of your team.
Lessen Business Costs
Have you ever purchased spare parts on rush shipping? Or maybe you had to specially schedule a repair urgently. Compared to preventive maintenance, money spend on these activities can accumulate over time.
Downtimes can also be costly for your business if you have to halt operations because of broken equipment. After the emergency repairs, you still have to spend on your workers’ overtime payment just to keep up with the timetable.
Frequent small repairs are also cheaper than large-scale services. If equipment is neglected for a long time, you might need to replace some parts and do an overhaul. In the worst-case scenario, you have to purchase new equipment. Keeping the system in the best condition with preventive maintenance services will prevent this problem.
Improve Worker Safety
One of the most important benefits of preventive maintenance is the safety and security it provides your workers—whether it’s the operators or the pedestrians around your facility. It can reduce the number of accidents that can occur with malfunctioning equipment.
Compared to that, poorly maintained equipment increases the hazards in your site. For example, a faulty tire can cause a loss of control over a vehicle and lead to a fatal accident. But with preventive maintenance, every part—from tires, engines, accessories, and more—is inspected regularly for problems.
Key Takeaway
The benefits of preventive maintenance for heavy equipment outweigh the time you need to spend for daily inspections and scheduled services. It can help you prolong the life of your equipment, keep track of your project’s schedule, save money, and keep your workers safe.
