Keeping costs under control in any business is a good strategy. In the heavy machine industry, one of the single biggest expenses incurred is the cost of maintaining your fleet of equipment. Regardless of whether you have 5 or 500 machines, the strategy is the same. In this blog, we look at three simple strategies that you can implement TODAY with the objective of reducing your maintenance costs by 25 to 50%.
Strategy 1: Consider Used Instead of New Parts
The cost savings are obvious, but some clients need a little more convincing. There are three additional factors that add to the virtue of repairing/maintaining your machines with used parts. Firstly, the availability of used parts. Given the longevity of heavy machinery, simple mathematics dictates that there are more used parts than new parts on the planet. This means that used parts are available immediately which is not always the case with new parts that often need to be ordered, especially in countries far away from large industrial hubs – like South Africa. Secondly, one needs to consider the environmental impact. If more operators in the heavy equipment space started to repair with used parts, the global demand for new parts will decline. Used part owners are making use of an existing resource and not placing a burden on the environment to produce a new part. This reduced carbon footprint contributes towards the long-term sustainability of the planet. Thirdly, one should never lose sight of the fact that heavy machinery was built to last. This means that high-quality used parts are engineered to go the distance and then some.
Strategy 2: Check Your Oil
On a regular basis, you should be getting the oil tested on your machines in the lab because it is a good way to head off expensive problems. This analysis is not expensive. By measuring the types and amounts of metals from worn or damaged engine components and other contaminants in the oil, analysis can indicate any corrective action that’s needed. The oil is the lifeblood of your machines and even if the lab analysis does not discover any problems, this obsession with your oil is going to help you extract more hours from your valuable assets.
Strategy 3: Train Your Operators
Your operators are your secret weapon in reducing your maintenance costs. They are on the front line in that they are exposed to your machines more than anyone else. You need to train them to become sensitive to potential problems on the machine – unusual sounds from the mechanics or irregular vibrations. Encourage them to take ownership of the machine and find ways to align his interests with your own in maintaining the operational efficiency of the machine. This investment of time and resources will yield an attractive return over time!
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