Tag Archives: heavy equipment repairs

Appoint expert mechanics to fix heavy equipment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Construction and mining industries are highly dependent on heavy equipment and if they do not work for a day can cost them huge sum of money. So the thing that becomes important for them is to ensure the health of the heavy equipment is in good shape and in case if there is any problem irrespective of how big or small it is, get it rectified then and there. It is not the operator’s work to check if the heavy equipment is doing well and is free from all issues. Though in our practical world, construction companies expect the operators to take care of that part as well. What operators can do is identify if there is any issue with the heavy equipment and if they see anything wrong, they can directly report it to the concerned authorities who will take up things in their control and try to fix it before things go out of control.

So when we speak about the concerned authorities, it can be the guys who are given the task to ensure that the heavy equipment are in good shape or it refers directly to the mechanics that are appointed by the companies to keep the machines in order. So the operators if identify any problem with the heavy equipment can report it to the mechanics and try to get it fixed in no time.

Now the crux of the matter is how competent are the mechanics that the company has hired. Well, if the mechanics are not competent enough, then it can be a grave problem for the construction company because they may not know what is wrong with the machine and eventually on one fine day, it will just stop working. There is no point to fire them then. You got to make sure that the selection process is stringent so that you can hire the cream or you can just collaborate with some freelancers who are good mechanics and pay them what they are worthy of.

In no way you should be risking the health of your heavy equipment by giving it to mechanics that do not have complete knowledge or lack experience in the subject matter. Hiring freelancers can be expensive but that will still be a worthy affair as their services will be anytime less than the total cost of the machine. Also you have to keep in mind the loss you may incur if the machine is non-functional for a day or so. Other than this, there are construction companies who appoint contractors to work for them. Now these contractors do not own the heavy equipment. They mostly get it on rent from someone else and they have to return it the way they got it. That is without any fault or any major wear and tear. This is why it is a must for them to have a tie-up with expert mechanics. You can also give the machines for monthly or bi-monthly maintenance to these mechanics. These create a good rapport with them and if there is a situation where a part needs to be replaced they might do that for you with minimum cost.

Related articles across the web

How to tighten the tracks on heavy equipment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Though been one of the most important components in the construction industry, heavy earth moving equipment is sadly the most ignored element of all. Construction companies are all running a race against time. All they know is to complete the assigned work in time or for that matter before time so that they can catch up with another piece of work and in this entire process they fail to remember that they need to give a bit of attention to an important segment which is the earth moving heavy machines. Construction companies are heavily dependent on mechanics whenever they see an issue with any of their equipment. This is not a bad thing to do but depending completely on something can also take a toll on your work when you do not find the team around to get your work done and you do not know how to get things moving in the absence of the team. This can certainly leave you in a high and dry situation and can also cost a fortune to the company.

So the ground rule is you got to take enough notice of your heavy equipment and learn a few things that you can do to fix things in the absence of a mechanic. One of the most common problems is with the track of the heavy equipment. They come out way too often and you are unable to figure out how to get rid of this issue. Well, you will not be able to get rid of it completely but maintaining the overall machine on a timely manner which also takes into account the track of the machine can certainly reduce the frequency of the problem. But when you have encountered a problem like this and have nobody around to help you out, here are few things that you can do yourself to get it track back.

Firstly, you have to ensure that you turn the upper part of the machine so that the boom is at a 90 degree angle to the travel direction. After that you got to check that the bucket floor level is to the ground by positioning the arm upright to the ground. You then need to press down the boom so that the track is elevated on one side and then gradually it is completely suspended above ground level. Once that done, you need to ensure that the track makes several revolutions so that the debris and other dirt can come out. Once that’s done, stop the track from moving and move in the cab. Ask your assistant to measure the bottom of the track frame to the track shoe and compare it with the measurements given in the user manual.

You may also have to inject grease in the small hole of the track frame and for this purpose use a grease injector. This will help to tighten the track. Once the tracks are tightened, make use of a wrench to loosen the fitting and get the track on the ground. Just in case you see any issues and can’t figure out to fix it, stop there and seek help of an expert.

Related articles across the web

Top heavy equipment repairs questions

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Undoubtedly, heavy equipment are the toughest machines and they do not wear off so easily. But they are also prone to issues that often crop up due to negligence on the part of the user. Firstly, we need to understand why any of the issues crop up in the first place and then how do we correct them. Heavy equipment unlike any other equipment are put to extreme difficult tasks and are also expected to do the work without causing any damage. On top of that, heavy work pressure and delivering the work in time becomes the most primary reasons why the owners of heavy equipment skip to give the machines for maintenance.  They feel that the machines is working fine which means that everything inside it is in order and the maintenance work can be postponed for few more days. What they usually miss is that the heavy equipment has gone through enough stress and will perhaps continue to do so before it is serviced, that will indeed take a toll on the machine. It is only when the machine starts developing some or the other problems that the owner realizes that he should get the machine checked by a mechanic.

Other than this, when the current owner lease the machine to another person, he does not instruct the new person categorically to maintain the machine at regular intervals. This becomes quite nasty for the equipment. The new user uses the machine according to his whims and fancies and therefore develops some issues in the machine. If the user is done with his project, he keeps the machine idle without trying to know if it has some internal damage and if he should be showing it to the mechanic or needs some minor repair work. It becomes the duty of the owner to say it very upfront to the user to get the equipment serviced from a good mechanic, to change the engine oil at regular intervals and if ever he feels that there is any problem with the machine or he has got any part of the machine damaged while working, then to get it fixed in no time.

Other than that, for people who wants to know what to do when the machine fails to operate in the way it used to, the best option is to join a forum where they can ask questions related to the repair of the machine. Heavy equipment can have lot of problems and it is inevitable to operate the heavy equipment for years with no problems keeping in mind the nature of work it has to do. Problems such as engine not starting during cold weathers are the most common questions that can be found in the forum. Some even ask about the viscosity level in the oil. Other top questions can be where to get the excavator repaired in Wisconsin or for that matter in some other states? How often should one maintain his machine? Questions like should one replace the faulty part of a machine with a new one and from where should he be buying them from are the top most questions that one would like to ask.

Related articles across the web