Heavy equipment maintenance ensures peak machine quality and smooth, reliable performance. If you do not stay on top of regular inspections and repairs, it can lead to damaged components and equipment failures. As a result, you will consistently need to replace different parts or even the entire machine, which can be costly.
Whether your fleet includes tractors, excavators, cranes or graders, your machines must receive the care and servicing they need. Browse our essential maintenance tips for heavy equipment in this guide.
The Value of Heavy Equipment Service
Heavy machinery maintenance is essential to ensure it operates in peak condition. Equipment requires these two primary types of maintenance.
Preventive: Preventive maintenance addresses potential issues before they occur. It involves regularly scheduled inspections and cleanings to prevent breakdowns and extend service life. Some examples include lubricating components, aligning equipment and replacing aging parts. You can perform preventive maintenance daily, weekly, monthly or yearly.
Reactive: Machines undergo reactive or corrective maintenance after an issue like a fluid leak or engine failure. It is an emergency-based approach.
Here are a few benefits heavy equipment maintenance can bring your fleet and operators.
It increases equipment life span: Regular maintenance and inspection can prolong your machinery’s service life by preventing and addressing issues.
It keeps you compliant: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has stringent guidelines to protect operators. There are standards for construction machinery, trenching and excavation equipment and other heavy machinery. Performing regular maintenance and inspection keeps your fleet OSHA-compliant.
It protects you and your operators: Neglecting heavy equipment maintenance can cause worn-out parts and malfunctions. Aside from damaging the equipment, faulty components can pose injury risks to operators during use. Correctly maintained machinery helps keep your workers safe and prevent unwanted incidents.
It saves money: Well-maintained equipment is less likely to experience issues and premature breakdowns. In the long run, this translates to fewer repairs and more uptime, saving you quite a few dollars.
Who Needs Heavy Machinery Maintenance?
Multiple industries rely on heavy equipment daily, so they must keep up with maintenance and servicing. Here are a few examples.
1. Construction
Construction sites need a wide range of equipment for material handling, making their projects safer and more efficient:
Cranes
Bulldozers
Dump trucks
Backhoes
Compactors
Loaders
Skid steers
Graders
Pavers
2. Farming
Farmers use many different machines for growing and tending to crops more efficiently, including:
Tractors
Tillers
Backhoes
Excavators
Skid steers
Harvesters
Off-road vehicles
Seed drills
Grain carts
3. Warehousing
Warehouses and distribution centers use equipment to streamline processes like storage, picking, packaging and shipping:
Forklifts
Pallet jacks
Scissor lifts
Lift trucks
Stackers
4. Forestry
Forestry workers require heavy equipment to complete various tasks, such as cutting, loading and transporting trees:
Wood chippers
Mulchers
Feller bunchers
Cranes
Excavators
Skid steers
Crawler dozers
Knuckleboom loaders
When to Perform Industrial Equipment Maintenance
Per OSHA regulations, you will need a professional to inspect your equipment each month it is in service. Additionally, OSHA requires equipment to be professionally inspected at least once a year. You should also inspect machines that have been idle for three months or more. A qualified person should examine every component of the machine, including:
Rivets, bolts and other fasteners
Tires
Welds
Brake and clutch systems
Safety devices
Hoses and tubing
Valves
If the inspector identifies a defect, they will determine if it presents a safety hazard. If it does, hold off on using the machine until you resolve the issue. If the inspector confirms it is not a safety hazard but still merits monitoring, ensure a qualified person follows up on the defect during monthly inspections.
Signs Your Equipment Needs Servicing
Make a habit of checking your heavy machinery before and after each use. If you notice any of these signs, refrain from using the equipment and bring it in for servicing:
Abnormal sounds: Grinding, hissing, screeching, clanging or wheezing noises usually indicate the need for a repair.
Excessive fuel consumption: Having to refuel your vehicles more frequently than usual can signify a problem with the engine. Sometimes, it can also mean a minor fix — like a dirty air filter or low tire pressure — is in order.
Engine stalling: Numerous factors can cause frequent stalling or difficulty starting the engine. It could be a lack of fuel, a dying battery, improper airflow or dirty fuel injectors. There could also be a more significant issue at hand, like a hydraulic system or powertrain defect. Either way, bring your equipment in to correct the problem.
Alarms: Often, modern construction equipment has a built-in dashboard alarm that informs the operator of a part or system defect. An alarm bringing a flaw to your attention is all the verification you need to know something is off.
Fluid leaks: Puddles of coolant or oil under the equipment can be problematic. Leakage can occur in multiple areas of a machine, including hydraulic arms, hoses and anywhere else in the fluid transmission system. Dysfunctional or jammed valves can also cause leaks.
Heavy Equipment Maintenance Checklist
Consider creating a comprehensive equipment checklist to help you stay on top of maintenance, making it easier to anticipate and respond to issues. Additionally, an organized list can help you avoid glossing over any critical parts or details.
Try creating a checklist for every unit in your fleet. For instance, you might divide your list into the following sections.
Main components: Start by inspecting the primary parts, including the exhaust, steering system, tires and tracks. Ensure they are free of odd noises, misalignments, wear or other damage.
Engine: Check each engine component, including the batteries, coolant fluids, belts, filters, injectors and hoses. Listen for strange noises and look for any signs of contamination, cleaning or replacing any parts if necessary.
Cab: Examine all parts of the cab, including lights, safety devices, handrails, steps, grab bars and the windshield. Confirm everything works properly and there is no rust or damage.
Contact Stewart-Amos Co. for Heavy Equipment Repairs and Maintenance
At Stewart-Amos Equipment Co., helping your equipment achieve maximum performance and service life is our goal. We are a Pennsylvania-based, full-service parts and tools supplier. We also specialize in repairing, rebuilding and maintaining the parts we provide. Our extensive product selection includes:
Whether you work in construction, mining or another heavy equipment industry, you can find the tools and resources you require at our fully stocked shops in Somerset and Harrisburg. Our highly trained technicians are ready to provide the part services your equipment needs.
Let us help you address the cause of your equipment issues with cost-effective solutions. Contact one of our representatives for repair or maintenance services today or call us at 800-482-2302.
Reach out to our expert technician team to receive the proper tools to maintain your equipment.
