5 Maintaining Tips of Earthmoving Equipment from National Plant & Equipment

Earthmoving equipment is complicated and costly. Maintaining such equipment is necessary for preventing major problems in the future. The last issue you want on a construction or mining site is non-working equipment. 

Inadequate maintenance of earthmoving equipment will cause frequent breakdowns, costly repairs, and short lifespan of the equipment. Also, there may be many accidents and injuries impacting workers operating the equipment. National Plant & Equipment is a company, which makes available well-maintained earthmoving equipment for hire for the construction and mining industry in Australia. 

The CEO of nationalplant.com.au, Mark Ackroyd recommends the following maintenance procedures for heavy earthmoving equipment:

1.Keep equipment well lubricated

If not lubricated properly, all moving parts of the machine will fail ultimately. Lack of lubrication will create friction, which will lead to wear and tear. This will drastically reduce the lifespan of the equipment. Lubrication must be of the optimal amount as too little will result in improper functioning of moving parts, while too much can cause loss of energy, excess grease, and sealing issues. It is always good to follow directions of the manufacturer.

2.Clean equipment properly

Clean all parts of equipment carefully, for maximum safety. Earthmoving machines have to deal with dirt and debris on a daily basis. Dirt and grime will accumulate on the equipment, and it will not function well if it is not cleaned properly. Clean using solutions recommended by the manufacturer.

3.Train employees

In case an untrained worker uses the equipment, it will lead to damage and breakdown. The worker will put himself in danger as well as other workers. For protecting equipment and all workers, all employees must be trained in operating earthmoving equipment. No one must be allowed to operate the equipment without proper training. All workers must know the operating guidelines of machines, and safety measures.

4.Maintain machinery regularly

It is not enough to inspect and repair heavy equipment occasionally to keep it in peak status. It is required to make and keep up a maintenance schedule. This must include notes on how every part of the equipment must be inspected, repaired and maintained generally.

Maintenance must be a thorough and consistent procedure. Seals and gaskets must regularly be inspected such that it is not broken or damaged. Pulleys and belts must be checked whether they are properly aligned. Bolts must be checked for any stretching. Gears must be inspected if they have developed any wear and tear.

5.Avoid injuries

All workers must be trained to identify any possibly dangerous problems, and they must have the capacity to handle any issues that crop up. For example, if they have to traverse a hill, they should know what gear to use.

They are also required to know what angle to drive at, because they can topple over, putting themselves, the equipment, and others in tremendous danger. Workers must also be trained in avoiding falls from heavy earthmoving machinery. Such machinery must be fitted with long-lasting grab rails. Workers not operating the equipment must stand at a safe distance from it.

These are all tips on how to maintain heavy earthmoving equipment. Mark Ackroyd, the CEO of National Plant & Equipment, insists on such procedures to maintain equipment hired from it.