Who doesn’t want their heavy equipment to last as long as possible?
Heavy infrastructure equipment doesn’t come cheap. From excavators to loaders to bulldozers… They all cost a pretty penny. Spend a few bucks on maintenance and they’ll fall apart. Skip maintenance and… Well, you get the picture.
Here’s the issue:
Fixing problems after they happen is expensive. Like 3 to 5x more expensive than preventing them in the first place. And when that one piece of equipment you need to complete a job breaks down, downtime skyrockets.
The solution? Preventive maintenance can add 20 to 40 percent to equipment lifespan. That could be years of service for equipment that already cost a lot of money.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Why Preventive Maintenance Is Important For Heavy Infrastructure Equipment
- Diesel Engine Fuel Injection Maintenance
- 5x Preventive Maintenance Strategies To Try
- How To Create a Winning Maintenance Schedule
Why Preventive Maintenance Is Important For Heavy Infrastructure Equipment
Preventive maintenance keeps heavy equipment from dying young.
Inspections, fluid checks, cleaning… These small tasks done regularly can easily catch problems before they become huge issues.
And wouldn’t you know it…
Heavy equipment burdens costs U.S. companies billions of dollars each year. Data shows unplanned downtime costs Fortune Global 500 companies about 11% of annual revenue. Another study revealed 42% of facilities surveyed reported aging equipment as the number one reason for unplanned downtime.
Yikes.
No maintenance plan equals junked equipment before it’s time. Regular maintenance equals decades of use and ROI.
Diesel Engine Fuel Injection Maintenance
Speaking of maintenance… One system on all heavy infrastructure equipment that requires regular attention is the diesel engine fuel injection system.
If the fuel injection system isn’t working properly, nothing else will.
Tiny parts inside of diesel engine fuel injection pumps handle tremendous pressure every time the engine fires. As a pump ages, contaminants accumulate. Parts wear down. And fuel isn’t delivered to the injectors properly. When that happens, expect a loss of power, mileage suffers and exhaust emissions increase.
Regularly inspecting and having fuel injection pumps calibrated can save thousands of dollars on preventable problems. For those looking to replace worn out parts, consider purchasing rebuilt Zexel fuel injection pumps for sale from a reputable supplier. Rebuilt units offer a significant savings over new pumps and operate just like the real thing.
Remember…
Keeping the fuel injection system maintained is one of the best ways to ensure the engine runs properly and the equipment lasts a long time.
5x Preventive Maintenance Strategies To Try
Okay, strategies. These are the things that keep heavy infrastructure equipment running long and strong. Pick the strategies that work best and start using them today.
Fluid Analysis
Can’t beat ’em.
Oil analysis, coolant testing and fuel sampling are some of the best tools available to see problems before they cause downtime.
Find metal shavings in the oil? Internal parts are wearing down. Dirty fuel? Expect a fuel injection problem in the near future.
Doing fluid analysis every 250 hours of operation is ideal.
Replace Filters
Swap those bad boys out.
Fuel filters, oil filters, air filters. Whatever the equipment’s got, they all need replaced every so often.
Once a filter’s capacity to trap contaminants is gone, they’ll start passing through to the rest of the system. Engine components don’t appreciate foreign debris.
Fuel filters should be replaced every 10,000 to 25,000 miles. Sad story if not.
Cooling System
Engines overheat because someone wasn’t paying attention to the cooling system.
Make sure the maintenance strategy includes regular cooling system inspections. Look for cracked hoses, test coolant levels and clean radiators regularly. In dusty conditions, radiators should be cleaned once a week.
Ignoring the cooling system is how engines develop serious problems.
Diesel Engine Fuel Injection Checks
While on the subject of fuel injection… These systems need love too.
Injection pumps should be tested for proper spray pattern and pressure every 1,000 hours of operation.
When fuel injection systems are neglected, expect increased fuel consumption, incomplete combustion and accelerated engine wear. Find the problem early and save a pretty penny.
Track Operating Hours
Know how many hours the equipment runs.
All preventive maintenance is triggered by operating hours. Without accurate records of how many hours equipment operates, those maintenance intervals mentioned above get missed.
Use a telematics system if necessary. Anything that provides alerts when maintenance is due.
How To Create a Winning Maintenance Schedule
Alright, the strategies are there. But if they aren’t implemented into a schedule, it’s all a waste of time.
Here’s a little secret…
Preventive maintenance schedules should be built around manufacturer recommendations and real-world operating conditions. A machine that operates in direct sunlight 12 hours a day will need to be serviced more often than something only running half that time in the shade.
Base the maintenance schedule around daily checks, weekly maintenance and service milestones at specific operating hours. Every piece of equipment is different, and therefore should have different maintenance schedules.
Write it down! Maintenance logs aren’t just for show. They can actually help identify problem areas when someone takes the time to analyze them. If something breaks over and over on the same machine, there’s a cause that needs to be addressed.
Bonus points for teaching equipment operators how to properly inspect machines daily. A quick 10 to 15 minute inspection before operation can do wonders for catching issues before they become serious.
Consistency! That’s the key to long equipment life.
Let’s Recap…
Preventive maintenance is the best thing anyone can do for heavy equipment to ensure it lasts. Period.
Here’s the short of it:
- Reactive maintenance is more expensive than preventive maintenance
- Don’t forget about diesel engine fuel injection maintenance
- Analyze fluids and replace filters regularly
- Check cooling systems and track those operating hours
- Schedule everything! If it’s not written down it doesn’t get done
Equipment that lasts the longest is equipment that’s maintained the best. Simple as that.
Build that schedule. Follow the process. Let the long equipment life speak for itself.
