Protecting your assets and prolonging the useful life of your equipment is more important than ever. The industry is grappling with skilled labor shortages, supply chain disruptions and heightened competition, all of which intensify the pressure to enhance productivity while minimizing costs. This raises an important question for construction business owners: How can you maximize your fleet’s uptime and boost jobsite efficiency?
The following four strategies are sure to have a big impact.
1. Stick to Your Preventive Maintenance Schedule
It may sound obvious, but it cannot be overstated: Keeping a planned maintenance schedule will help you stay on top of your game and keep your machines ready for work. Regularly checking engine oils, coolant, hydraulic fluid, grease and drive motor lubricants, changing fuel and air filters, and evaluating tracks or tires are all essential — and easy — best practices that can be the difference between keeping you running or a costly jobsite shutdown. Let’s take a closer look at what this means for your compact loader as an example.
- Ongoing performance enhancements to compact loaders — including increased digging and lifting performance, maneuverability and attachment capabilities — have made them more versatile and productive for you and your crew. This makes regular evaluations even more important. The first thing you and your equipment operators should do is read the operation and maintenance manual, which is typically stored in the machine’s cab for quick reference. (The manufacturer may also have this available on its website.) This is the best resource for properly operating and maintaining your equipment. After that, complete the following checklist to ensure your compact loader is ready for the jobsite:
- Inspect fluid levels and filters — Engine oils, coolant, hydraulic fluid, grease and drive motor lubricants need to be checked regularly. Using the wrong lubricants can lead to unnecessary repairs, so make sure to work with your dealership to match fluids to the proper ambient temperatures and to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
- Check the battery — Today’s compact loaders constantly rely on the battery, so it’s important to inspect the battery cables and connections, cleaning and tightening as needed. For machines that are used infrequently, owners can consider installing a battery maintainer.
Inspect the undercarriage — Your equipment is busy in the mud, dirt and rock, which can build up in the undercarriage. While some compact track loaders are designed for easier cleanout, it’s vital to keep undercarriages clean and free of debris. Use shovels and pressure washers to remove debris at the end of each workday. Inspect the following areas to ensure all components are in good condition: drive motor, drive sprockets, idlers and rollers, and track tension.
2. Inspect & Maintain Attachments
Selecting the right attachment can make all the difference when it comes to working in restrictive or confined spaces — allowing you to edge out the competition and accomplish more for your customers. Just as you inspect and maintain your compact loader, it’s equally as important to take that same level of care for your attachments.
Conduct a thorough inspection of hoses, cylinders, guards, cutting blades and edges for any indications of wear or damage. Additionally, certain attachments may require fluid-level checks and lubrication. If your attachment has not been used recently, verify the attachment is in top working condition by connecting and operating it to confirm it performs as expected.
Choosing the right attachment enhances your machine’s versatility and ensures optimal performance across various tasks.
3. Trust Your Local Dealership for Parts, Support & Knowledge
When it comes to replacing parts on your equipment, it can be enticing to cut corners and save a few bucks. However, investing upfront in original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts can save you time and money in the long run. Below are a few reasons why relying on your local dealership for this kind of support is key:
- Cost-efficiency — Using parts specifically designed for your machine ensures the same high standards of quality and performance to extend the life of your machine, making it a worthy investment every time.
- Uptime — Utilizing OEM parts gives you the peace of mind that your equipment will continue to function properly. Taking a chance with alternative parts can diminish the functionality of your equipment, which could impact its longevity.
- Reliability — By using OEM parts, operators have access to the manufacturer’s network of support. This is critical when it comes to making repairs, avoiding downtime and protecting your warranty if opting for non-OEM parts would void the warranty.
4. Take Advantage of Your Telematics Data
Your telematics platform offers a wealth of information about your equipment fleet, which is vital for maximizing uptime. If you’re unsure about what your telematics package includes, your dealer can help you understand the available information and capabilities through your subscription.
While the details of each telematics platform on the market vary, many options provide basic information such as machine location, fuel levels, maintenance intervals, fault codes and safety warnings. More advanced packages allow you to take greater control of your fleet, enabling features like remotely starting or disabling the engine, setting geofence parameters, receiving breach alerts, generating machine utilization reports and more.
Overall, telematics not only extends the life of machinery but also improves operational efficiency, resulting in higher overall uptime.
To increase uptime and enhance machine performance, consider these four actions you and your team can take starting today: Stick to your preventive maintenance schedule; inspect your machines and attachments regularly; rely on your local dealership for parts, support and expertise; and fully utilize your machine’s telematics.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you and your team can significantly increase uptime and improve machine performance. Want to know the best part? These are all things you can do starting today.
