If you own or operate construction equipment, there are a few must-have items that will increase your efficiency. These include wheeled and automated equipment, as well as skilled operators and preventative maintenance.
Preventative maintenance
Having a well-planned construction equipment maintenance plan will maximize your efficiency. It will increase your safety, improve your workforce’s performance and ensure your supply chain is running on schedule.
Having a good maintenance program can save your company money. A robust program will also help improve your equipment’s resale value and comply with safety regulations.
Having a maintenance program does not have to be complicated. There are many industry organizations that provide templates and other resources for creating a solid maintenance program. You can also use spreadsheets to help you stay on track.
The most important part of a maintenance program is having a clear plan and following it. The best way to start is to determine your company’s goals. Set out the key metrics and make sure someone is in charge.
Your plan should include a checklist. This will help you track important points and troubleshoot any issues that arise. It’s important to include battery and belt checklists. Batteries are notoriously prone to losing power, and a battery checklist should cover things such as terminal and cable conditions, acid ratio, and voltage retention.
A checklist will also remind you of the most important maintenance points. A preventative maintenance plan should also include inventory management. You should maintain a detailed log of recent malfunctions, repairs, and replacement parts. This will not only help you track your progress, it will also give you the data you need to restock your equipment if necessary.
Other factors to consider are location and site conditions. These may impact the wear and tear on your equipment, and can make your workplace more vulnerable to downtime.
You can also check with your original equipment manufacturer to find out what they recommend for preventative maintenance on your machines. The manuals they provide are a great source of information. When the inevitable damage arrives, however, and you’re in need of new equipment, look no further than YRCO which offers KATO excavators and the like.
Wheeled equipment
Whether you are looking to buy or rent construction equipment, choosing the right piece of machinery is important. It can impact your productivity and safety. With the large number of different types and sizes available, you need to know what to look for.
Wheeled machines are popular for level jobsites. They are lighter and more maneuverable than tracked machines. They’re also less expensive to buy and maintain. They offer a variety of applications, including landscaping, excavation, and demolition.
If you’re considering a new machine, you should consider whether you want to go with tracks or tires. The decision depends on a number of factors, such as the ground conditions and the job at hand. In some cases, it can even make sense to use a hybrid technology.
Tracked equipment is usually suited for more rugged environments. They offer higher traction than wheels, which makes them a good choice for digging into the dirt. They also provide protection for the drive system and components. However, they aren’t always the best choice for a jobsite.
On the other hand, rubber tires offer a more economical option. They’re durable and last longer than tracks, which means they can be used on different jobsites. They also provide better traction on flat surfaces. In addition, they can be driven from site to site without a trailer.
When it comes to comparing tracks and tires, the decision is a tough one. You need to consider the benefits of each. The right combination of wheels and tracks can increase efficiency, while the wrong equipment can waste time and money. You should also consider the stability of your machinery, as tracks create lighter PSI sharing than wheels.
Automated equipment
Automation of physical tasks can increase productivity, while also improving safety on the job site. This is a trend that has been adopted by a number of industries, including manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare.
There are many opportunities for construction automation. One of them is modular construction, which produces a building from a series of components in a factory. This approach lowers costs, increases sustainability, and makes the process more efficient.
Another opportunity is using robotics to perform repetitive tasks. Some examples of this are welding and concrete laying. It is cost-effective to use robotic technology on job sites, especially for small to medium-sized companies.
Autonomous construction equipment will reduce carbon footprints and provide safer working conditions. It will also improve operations and fuel efficiency. It will also help meet the growing demand for real estate.
Automation in construction is not new, but it is becoming more popular. In fact, automated systems are being trialled on construction sites across the globe. They can save on power consumption and improve uptime, which can enable projects to be completed faster.
The future of construction automation is bright. It will allow contractors to take advantage of the latest technologies. It can also make their job easier. This will not only reduce delays, but it can help prevent errors on the job site.
The industry is in the middle of a transition to an autonomous economy, but it is still in the early stages. Autonomous trucks are already being used for mining, moving billions of tons of material safely. In the future, machines will be capable of communicating with each other and manufacturers to ensure the best possible application of resources on the job site.
Skilled operators
Operators are important to the success of a construction project. When properly trained, they can increase productivity, reduce downtime, and lower fuel costs. However, it is important to remember that operator training is not a substitute for regular maintenance.
While there are some skills that are inherent to all operators, such as body awareness and good mechanical aptitude, there are also some special abilities that can help make a difference on the job. Trained operators are able to work more efficiently with a variety of different equipment types.
When it comes to high-tech machinery, training is crucial to making sure that your crew has the skills necessary to operate it safely and effectively. Skilled operators use their training to reduce idle time, maximize fuel efficiency, and make better decisions when operating the machine.
In addition, a trained operator can also prevent downtime from unnecessary wear and tear on the machine. Moreover, operators can help prevent accidents from happening on site.
Another benefit of operator training is the reduced risk of injury on the job. A trained crew is more likely to recognize issues with the fuel pressure, control systems, and other components of the machine. This knowledge can help identify and address maintenance needs before they become serious problems.
A trained operator can also reduce cycle times by 3 to 4 seconds. This can help the equipment run more efficiently and increase the profit margin.
The cost of operator training is relatively small in comparison to the savings that it can produce. It is worth the investment. If you need help figuring out what kind of training is best for your company, the Infrastructure Equipment Skill Council can help. It maintains a skills repository, develops training standards, and assesses operators.
Keeping track of downtime
Keeping track of downtime on construction equipment can improve productivity, save money and reduce risks. Whether it’s planned or unplanned, downtime can have a major impact on your business. It can be costly and affect production, staff and contractors. It can also put a project further behind schedule. The key to preventing downtime is to have a plan in place.
Keeping track of downtime can help you find the causes of stoppages and get to the root of problems. This information will help you decide when to take action. In addition, it can give you valuable insights into your equipment’s performance and prioritization.
A good downtime tracking system can identify the most cost-effective way to prioritize your maintenance resources. By comparing average downtime to your other assets, you can determine which ones need more attention.
Using a computerized maintenance management system can help you track downtime on construction equipment and predict when your assets are likely to fail. This can save thousands of dollars in repairs and parts.
Another tool to consider is telematics. This type of technology can tell you how often a machine is used and how long it takes to adjust or change over a tool.
Keeping track of downtime on construction equipment is one of the best ways to increase productivity, save money and reduce risks. Tracking downtime will give you more insight into your production and costs, and it will help you make better decisions about your equipment.
Tracking downtime can be useful for diagnostic purposes as well. It can help you see when you have an excess of downtime, when there is a discrepancy between planned and actual downtime, and where you can make improvements.