Tag: heavy equipment maintenance

Business

Drop in diesel technician enrollment compounds labor demand

The demand for diesel technicians continues to outpace entrants into the field – a problem compounded by the fact that the number of would-be applicants is beginning to decrease. According to data compiled by the TechForce Foundation, the number of students who completed a certified diesel program totaled 12,112 in 2018, reversing the annual upward […]

September 3, 2020

Maintenance

When it comes to equipment fluid management, little mistakes can add up to big problems

Dig deeper into fluid management for your construction equipment with these best practices – and tips on how to avoid the worst ones.

May 14, 2020

Maintenance

Cease work and turn off the engine when you see these red flags on an oil analysis report

Oil analysis can show you trends in the health of your engines and oil. It can also tip you off to eminent catastrophic failure. If you catch these problems early enough, you can fix the underlying problem, drain and refill the crankcase with new oil, and monitor the results with further oil analysis, saving thousands […]

March 19, 2020

Maintenance

Heavy Equipment Tire Maintenance: A little time can produce big savings

Unless you do the math, you may not realize that after labor and fuel, tires are your third-highest operating cost on a wheeled piece of heavy equipment. So starting a simple maintenance and management program could save you substantial amounts of money. Creating a tire maintenance and management program may seem like an administrative burden […]

September 10, 2019

How to do Everything Better

How to calculate your DEF use

Running out of diesel exhaust fluid is about as dumb as running out of diesel fuel. Engine manufacturers set DEF burn rates at about 2 to 5 percent of fuel burned. (For every 100 gallons of diesel a machine consumes, it will burn 2 to 5 gallons of DEF.) So multiply the fuel consumption of […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

How to adjust the tension on your tracks

Almost all tracks are tensioned by pumping grease into a piston. The grease fitting is typically located behind a cover plate in the center of the undercarriage. This extends the piston and stretches the tracks. (You let grease out of the fitting to reduce tension on the tracks.) Your owner’s manual will give you specs […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

How to repair a grease zerk

When a grease zerk won’t accept grease from your grease gun, the simplest solution is to unscrew the zerk, clean it out with a wire, brake cleaner or compressed air, reinstall the zerk and try it again. If it still won’t work, you have bigger problems and may need to call in a mechanic. As […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

How to get a good oil sample on construction equipment

According to Dan Arcy, global OEM technical manager for Shell Lubricants, an engine oil analysis program requires users to follow a few fundamental procedures that often don’t get the attention they deserve. Some tips: • Provide a proper oil sample to the lab. If you take your sample when the oil is being drained, catch […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

7 things to do before an equipment auction

If you want to get a good deal buying heavy equipment at auction, doing your homework – hours of homework – is essential. Things happen fast at these auctions and you can miss out on great opportunities or overplay your hand if you’re not ready. Here are some tips: Identify your needs. Make a list […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

How to calculate construction owning and operating costs

Owning costs = purchase price of machine + financing + taxes – disposal price (what you get for that machine when you resell it). Operating costs = labor + fuel + maintenance + replacement costs of tires, tracks and other components + overhead. Add the owning to the operating costs and you have your O&O […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

Make sure your load is secure

Moving heavy equipment safely is no small task. If not done properly, the results can be disastrous. During loading, keep the following in mind: Do not operate or load equipment that you do not know how to safely operate. When possible, place the equipment against a vehicle structure to help prevent forward movement – unless […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

Know your limits: Towing more than 5,000 pounds with a half-ton pickup is against the law

That commercial showing a pickup taking on a heavy load sure does look good. But you first need to read the small print in the manufacturer’s owner manual. Half-ton pickups have a 5,000-pound towing capacity, period. This can be problematic when you just want to haul your compact machine to the next jobsite. The weight […]

July 29, 2019