If you own a construction company, you likely own one or more pieces of heavy equipment. These machines can make completing a construction job easier and require less labor from your employees. Bulldozers, excavators, pipe layers, skidders, cranes and rollers all complete specific tasks quickly. However, over time, these pieces of heavy equipment may encounter problems and need to be repaired. Repairs can leave you unable to complete tasks at your job site until the piece of machinery is repaired and working again. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to reduce the frequency in which you need heavy equipment repair. Here are a few different ways you can do that.

Follow All Preventative Maintenance Recommendations

One of the most effective ways to reduce the frequency in which you need heavy equipment repair is to follow all manufacturer preventative maintenance recommendations. The recommendations vary based on the type of machinery, manufacturer and how often the equipment is used. But typical recommendations include inspections at specific intervals and oil and fluid changes. As you look for a heavy equipment maintenance company, find one that offers a computerized tracking system. This system will help both you and the maintenance company easily determine what maintenance has been done and what maintenance is past due on all your pieces of machinery. If you complete maintenance in-house, consider using a computerized maintenance management system to help ensure you keep track of all maintenance. Maintaining the machinery as specified by the manufacturer helps ensure that all of the parts operate as they are designed to. Having routine maintenance also allows for minor problems to be caught and repaired before they turn into bigger problems that are more expensive and take longer to fix.

Install an Automatic Lubrication System

Another way you can reduce the frequency with which you need heavy equipment repair is to install an automatic lubrication system or a metered lubrication system. Heavy equipment and machinery use many different parts, such as engines, motors and gears, to run effectively. These parts all need to be oiled or greased to help the parts turn and run smoothly. However, it can take a lot of time to oil these parts by hand. And unfortunately, you and your employees may get busy, and forget to do so in a timely manner. An automatic lubrication system releases a small amount of oil or grease at different intervals, helping your unit to constantly remain well-oiled and lubricated. This helps the parts work efficiently, which reduces the chances of them breaking or wearing down sooner because they lacked the oil or grease they needed.

Have a Motor Oil Analysis Completed

The last way you can reduce the frequency in which you need heavy equipment repair completed is by having a motor oil analysis completed. A motor oil analysis should be completed when oil changes are done on your piece of heavy equipment. A motor oil analysis can determine the viscosity of the oil as it has flowed through your heavy equipment, any contaminants present, whether any metals are present, which can be caused by parts breaking down in the unit and what additives are present and their current levels. All of this information will help paint a picture of the internal well-being of your equipment for a technician. The motor oil results can be tracked over time, which may also help point out problems with the machinery that otherwise may not have been noticed or detected.

Having heavy equipment suddenly breakdown can put your construction business in a bind. You may be forced to wait to complete a task until that piece of machinery is back in operation. However, just like with an automobile, you can prevent many breakdowns by properly maintaining the pieces of machinery. This includes having maintenance work done timely, installing an automatic lubrication system and having a motor oil analysis completed. When you do need a repair though, reach out to a local company like Florida TRUCK & Trailer CO.