“Uptime” and “downtime” are two phrases that are often used when discussing construction equipment, but what exactly do these terms refer to?
Uptime represents a measure of time when equipment is operational and available for use. Downtime represents the opposite, when equipment cannot be used and operations are stalled, usually either due to maintenance or repairs. Thus, maximum uptime is the goal of most construction crews, as it is essential for maintaining productivity.
Construction projects run on tight schedules. Any downtime, whether due to equipment failure, maintenance requirements, or other issues, can cause major delays. They can have a cascading effect, pushing back subsequent tasks and extending the overall project timeline.
It is imperative to maximize uptime, not only because adhering to planned schedules and meeting deadlines will help you earn more contracts, but also because uptime has profound financial implications.
Equipment downtime can result in increased operational costs, as idle workers, delayed tasks, and unproductive time still incur expenses without generating progress. High uptime, though, can limit these expenses.
There are a number of different ways that uptime can be increased for your equipment to facilitate more efficient and productive work and keep things on track.
If you want to increase the uptime of your excavator in particular, there are a variety of practices that you can use, including the following:
One of the first and most important things an equipment operator should do to help facilitate more uptime is to read the equipment manual. This is definitely the case with excavators.
An excavator’s operation and maintenance manual contains vital information about its safety features, controls, instrumentation, maintenance points, and service schedules. It likely also includes the manufacturer’s recommendations for maximum uptime protection.
It is important for the excavator operator to know these matters and to keep them in mind, as lack of familiarity with best practices is typically the number one cause of equipment neglect. If the machine’s required operation practices, maintenance, and servicing are neglected, this will lead to increased downtime.
While several different types and sizes of excavators are available, most feature multiple filters, including engine, fuel, hydraulic, and air filters. Each of these filters has its own unique service intervals, which are important to understand.
If filters become too dirty, they can get clogged, which can compromise sensitive components in your excavator, ultimately reducing the machine’s uptime. This is why it is critical to regularly check the condition of your excavator’s filters and stay on top of filter maintenance and replacement schedules.
If you truly want to improve your excavator’s uptime, another vital practice is inspecting its fluids on a daily basis, including the engine oil, hydraulic fluid, and coolant.
As soon as you notice that the levels of these fluids are low, top them up using the fluid types specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It is imperative that your excavator’s fluids are of the right classification and viscosity for its operating environment.
In addition, it is also necessary to regularly lubricate all of its key pivot points, including booms, cylinders, buckets, blades, slewing-bearing components, and arms. Most manufacturers recommend using a high-quality lithium-based multipurpose grease to lubricate these parts.
If you have a tracked excavator, the undercarriage components will see the most wear and tear. Thus, it is important to regularly inspect your tracks for debris build up, track tension, all wear areas and lug height to ensure adequate traction.
For rubber tracks, be sure to check for cuts, tears, and exposed steel imbeds. Such perforations could lead to moisture or contamination of the tracks, resulting in rusting and a shortened life expectancy. It is also critical to monitor your track tensioning, as the track can de-track if it becomes too loose, which can have a negative impact on its lifespan and lead to downtime.
Your excavator’s optimal track tension ranges should be outlined in its manual. When you replace your excavator’s tracks, you should examine the sprocket’s teeth to ensure they are rounded as they should be. For more information on inspections, installations, troubleshooting, wear guides and a thorough inspection checklist, check out our Undercarriage Handbook.
Yet another part of your excavator that requires daily inspection and maintenance as needed is its cooling system. This system needs adequate airflow and coolant levels to function effectively.
When either the airflow or the coolant is too low, the excavator’s engine can overheat, lose power, and, in some cases, even be damaged. Thus, when inspecting the excavator’s cooling system, you should always check for proper airflow and coolant hose leaks.
It is also a good practice to clean your excavator’s radiator, oil cooler, and condenser, which you can do by applying low pressure air. However, make sure you are extra cautious around the radiator’s fins to avoid damaging them. Be sure to avoid using water as that will turn dust into mud, making it far more difficult to remove.
In addition to following all the tips mentioned above, the other key to maximizing excavator uptime is purchasing high-quality equipment from a reliable manufacturer. If you are looking for such excavators for sale in BC, Nors Equipment can help.
We have a large stock of both new and used heavy equipment, including excavators of all different types and sizes, from industry-leading manufacturers. So, you can find the best equipment solutions no matter what projects you intend to take on. Our machines are powerful, durable, and efficient, and they will help take your operation to the next level while minimizing downtime.
In addition to our wide range of equipment for sale, we also offer equipment rentals if you only need certain machines on a temporary basis. All of our rental equipment has low hours and has been thoroughly maintained by our expert technicians to ensure they are in optimal working condition for consistently high performance.
We also have a rent-to-own program if you are looking for a cost-effective way to upgrade your fleet.
For more information about our excavators for sale in BC, or to learn more about the assortment of other heavy equipment we have available, call Nors Equipment at 1-833-730-0613 or contact us here.
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