Prepping For Spring

Springtime brings warmer weather, longer days, and plants coming back to life. It also is a great time to prepare for the rest of the year. Whether by sorting old documents or inspecting and maintaining equipment, it is a great way to set a tone for the rest of the year.

Equipment Inspection

Regularly inspecting equipment is crucial to most businesses, but during the end of the year and moving into the first quarter of a year, it can be easy to let it fall behind. That is why moving into spring, once everything starts to get a steady pace again, is the perfect time to inspect your equipment for damage, malfunctions, and any issue that could potentially decrease operations. Doing a high-level overview of your equipment will allow you to spot any external damage and consulting the manual or a mechanical expert will help show any internal or mechanical damage.

Cleaning

Most equipment has some form of moving part that can start to wear down over time, and cause your equipment to become less effective, sound differently, or even inoperable. That is why it is crucial to check the moving parts and perform regular cleaning on them to keep them working properly and prevent damage. Options for cleaning or lubricating vary based on what moving part you are performing the cleaning to. For example, parts that have high-friction or high-speed should use oil as a lubricant since it is light and won’t slow down the parts.

It is also important to clean the equipment especially if it is prone to getting dirty or have debris adhering to it. For example, the undercarriage of machinery used on a construction site can have mud stick to it, which can interfere with the track. The best way to clean most heavy machinery is with a water hose or using a shovel. Also, not all machines aren’t meant to be used for every job. That is why it is important to use the equipment based on the manufacturer’s manual, in order to prevent damage to the equipment or a poorer quality result.

Checking Fluids

If your equipment has any fluids that it uses to keep operating at peak efficiency, it is important to check the fluid levels. Whether it is a cooling agent, a lubricant, etc., if the fluid levels or low or almost low, it is a good idea to go ahead and refill them to keep the equipment running smoothly. If you are unsure of how to check the level of the fluid in your equipment, consult the provided manual. The manual, typically, contains what kind of fluid the equipment takes, so you can keep producing quality results.

Testing Safety Features

Newer equipment usually has safety features in place to prevent worksite hazards or injury. These features can range from auto-stabilizing to auto shut-off functions. It is crucial to inspect these functions, by testing them in a controlled environment. Some machines have a manual way of testing these features, so don’t have to add unnecessary risk. If you are unsure of what safety features your equipment offers, consult the operator’s manual for more information on your specific equipment.

Tire Check

If your equipment has tires, it is important to make sure that the air pressure is correct, and the treads are at a safe and operable level. You should also check the brakes, clean the tires, make sure all bolts are securely fastened to the tire rim. If you are unsure, if your tires are correct, it may be a good idea to consult the manual or hire am expert to take a look.

Reviewing Documents

A simple, yet tedious task, is to review documents that may have accumulated over the past months or years. The documents can vary from inspection reports, maintenance records, safety plans, and more. It is important to make sure that all documentation is up to date and compliant your industry’s standards and regulations. Doing this will ensure that precautions are taken to reduce the risk of injury and remove potential legal issues that could arise from not being up-to-date.

Prichard Excavating takes the necessary preparations to make sure jobs are done correctly and safely. Contact us today to learn more about our excavating services for quality results.