Heavy machinery requires routine maintenance to keep it working efficiently. Such can be equipment in mining, farming, and industrial. When using large machinery with poor maintenance, it does not run efficiently. Breakdowns are costly, and safety is a vital consideration. Therefore, you need to know how best you care for and maintain your machinery. Also, ensure your employees know the routine for the maintenance practices for all types of machinery. In this way, as you shop for nriparts.com, you know how to extend equipment life and boost the return on investment. Below are tips for machinery maintenance to extend equipment.
- Maintain cleanliness
Large machinery should be clean, and the environment is clean as well. To keep working parts clean and with no contaminations. Heavy machinery has many filters and seals. Inspect the seals regularly to ensure it is in good condition. Also, ensure you change your filters regularly and inspect them. You need to know the use of the equipment or machinery to keep it clean all the time. Store large machinery in a shed if possible. Also, exposure to weather and wind will cause the machine to rust and rot. Thus, if it is not in use, run the machine periodically. In doing this, it is a maintenance practice.
- Check for signs of wear
Vibration, age, shock, high temperatures, and friction contribute to the breakdown of various heavy machinery parts. The machinery shock comes from poor operator technique and accidents. Vibration comes with gears and belts that are out of alignment. Age affects many components, and with time belts warp. Seals also crack and dry. Bolts will stretch out of shape and loosen. Thus, age is a factor to monitor in equipment. The high temperatures come from extended use, poor lubrication, and worn-out parts, among other reasons. This is why vehicles and heavy machinery have temperature sensors, such as caterpillar temperature sensor, installed in them. Thus, if you discover wear and tear on any moving parts in equipment, be sure to replace any worn-out parts.
- Follow through with operator training
Most machinery has multiple operators. Thus, always have an ongoing inspection of the checklist to oversee the correct equipment operation. As soon as you purchase large machinery, ensure you inspect it. As you do this, follow through with operator training. Plus, since employees come and go, it can lead to poor operation for the skills to become rusty. It is, therefore, best to revise operator manuals and rewrite them in a simple language. Every operator can then get a short manual for easy reference. Notably, identify best practices you can apply to other geographic locations or facilities.
- Have a schedule and keep records
A maintenance and repair schedule is vital for there are components you need to check regularly. These include tires, fluids, tracks, and electrical systems for preventative maintenance. Plus, you need to know what should have an inspection and when. For instance, friction materials, gaskets, seals, and bearings should be inspected for wear and replaced. Power transmission needs to be in top condition as they have many moving parts. Check for lubrication, damaged parts, and vibration on gearboxes. Change filters often and test the oil to diagnose the problem, among other things.
- Add and test lubricants frequently
Reduce friction around moving parts with lubricants. Large machinery equipment and parts need routine lubrication to extend their life. Lubrication is a vital maintenance check. Therefore, look for signs of excess grease build-up on pistons and check for leaks around seals. More importantly, use the correct lubricant for every component. Thus, to know the right one for each, check the recommendations. Get your large machinery lubricants checked to diagnose the problem. Experts can check for particles in the used oil and tell which part is suffering from a breakdown.
To conclude, the above steps will help extend the life of the machinery and improve return on investment. In today’s world of growth in the manufacturing sector, you gain more value if you have global knowledge to help with machinery maintenance to share in your organization. Thus, you reap more benefits on a wide scale. This knowledge of maintaining your equipment can be valuable. Make sure you leverage this vital knowledge and use it at every location applicable.
