Tips To Maximize Your Return In Used Heavy Construction Equipment Machinery

What are the tips to maximize your return in used heavy construction equipment machinery? Heavy machinery, particularly mining, industrial, or farming machinery, necessitates ongoing maintenance to keep it in good working order. Poorly maintained large machinery equipment, on the other hand, is inefficient. Breakdowns are expensive, and safety is also a factor to consider.

Here are five maintenance tips for large machinery:

Maintain a current understanding of large machinery operator training.

There are multiple operators on many types of large machinery. One of the ongoing inspections on any checklist should be overseeing the correct operation of the equipment.

Large machinery should be thoroughly inspected before being purchased. Operator training is usually completed at this point, but it is necessary to continue training. Employees come and go, skills rust, and inefficient operations result in breakdowns.

Operator manuals can be revised for the specific work situation. They can be rewritten in simpler language. Each operator can receive a brief manual for easy reference. And, if you operate in a paperless environment, you can rest assured operators use the most current version of each manual.

One other note is to identify best practices, which can then be applied to other facilities or geographic locations. The knowledge you learn about how to maintain your equipment can become quite valuable – be sure to best leverage this important knowledge and use it at every applicable location.

Add and test lubricants frequently

Lubricants reduce friction around any moving part. A schedule of good lubrication maintenance extends the life of large machinery equipment and parts.

Lubrication is one of the first and most important of maintenance checks. Look for signs of excess oil or grease build-up on pistons. Check for leaks around oil seals.

Be sure to use the right lubricant. There are specific kinds of oil and grease for every component. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Getting the lubricants checked is a good way to diagnose problems with large machinery. Experts analyze particles in the used oil. The makeup of any contaminants will indicate which part may be suffering from wear or breakdown.

Check for signs of wear

Vibration, shock, high temperatures, friction and age all contribute to the breakdown of parts in heavy machinery.

Vibration can come from gears and belts that are out of alignment

Shock can come from accidents and from poor operator technique

High temperatures can come from extended use, friction, poor lubrication and worn parts, among other reasons

Age affects many key components. Over time, belts will warp. Seals will dry and crack. Bolts will loosen and stretch out of shape. Age is a factor to monitor in equipment.

Should you discover wear and tear on any moving parts within your heavy equipment, be sure to quickly perform the necessary replacement of any worn parts.

Keep large machinery clean, and maintain a clean environment

There are many seals and filters in place on heavy machinery to keep working parts clean and free of contamination. Seals should be inspected often to make sure they’re in good condition. Filters should be inspected and changed regularly. Breathers should be kept clean in order to avoid producing a vacuum in the cab, which will draw contaminants in. If the electronics in the cab become polluted, they are vulnerable to failure. For example, this has an effect on the clutch.

If at all possible, large machinery should be stored in a shed or other structure. Rust and rot can occur as a result of exposure to the elements. If the machinery is not in use, it should be run on a regular basis.

Maintain a timetable for maintenance and repairs, and preserve detailed records.

• Fluids, tires, tracks, and electrical systems are just a few of the things that need to be examined on a regular basis for preventative maintenance. Know what needs to be inspected and when it needs to be inspected. Here are a few illustrations.
• Many moving parts in power transmissions must be kept in good working order. Lubrication, vibration, and part damage should all be monitored on gearboxes.
• Friction materials, seals, gaskets, and bearings must all be tested and replaced if they are worn. Gears and shafts typically survive a long time and are rarely, if ever, replaced.
• Components of the drive train must be constantly monitored. Check the alignment and wear of the pulleys and v-belts of CVT gearboxes. Examine sprockets for proper chain meshing and breaks.
• To diagnose issues, test the oil. Filters should be changed periodically.
• Bearings are essential for heavy machinery performance because they keep significant quantities of force moving smoothly. Check the lubrication of your bearings on a regular basis. Bearings last longer if they are adequately maintained.
• Gears should be lubricated on a regular basis.
• To avoid bearing raceway contamination, perform a seal inspection.
• Check the bolts for torque. Over time, bolts can elongate and creep.

To summarize, following the five actions outlined above can greatly increase the useful life of heavy machinery, resulting in a higher Return on Investment from these significant investments. Even more value can be extracted in today’s global manufacturing world if you have a global knowledge capture and distribution system in place, allowing you to effectively share this knowledge of machinery maintenance across your organization, allowing you to reap even greater benefits on a much larger scale.

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