Regardless of your industry, no company likes to experience downtime, as it comes with huge financial costs and could even force your business to lose its competitive advantage. Surprisingly, the main cause of unplanned downtime tends to be faulty or otherwise inoperable equipment.
While it might be time-consuming and daunting to think about maintenance, keeping your tools and machinery up to standard is clearly vital to maintaining optimal operations. Not to mention that it will help you avoid expensive replacements and repairs, and save some time and money in the long term. To that end, here are some simple ways you could extend the lifespan of your business equipment:
Use the correct tools.
To make your equipment last longer, it’s crucial to ensure you’re actually using the right tools for each task. Not only will this help in enhancing your performance and completing the job efficiently, but it can also allow you to prevent any redundant wear and tear on your equipment. If you’re not certain which tools to use for the job, consult your suppliers and ask them for advice regarding the most suitable equipment. Keep in mind that bespoke sizes and designs might sometimes be required to meet your needs.
Know your equipment.
Selecting the right equipment won’t be enough; you also have to make sure each operator is familiar with the tools, knowing exactly how they operate and what they’re used for. Invest in training and perform tests if possible. Everyone should also know the age of the tools, their predicted lifespan, any existing fixes, and issues, as well as important warranty information. This will allow you to ensure that the equipment is used correctly, problems and breakdowns are prevented, and the overall safety in the workplace is increased.
Perform inspections.
When it comes to improving the performance and lifespan of your business equipment, regular inspections are great for revealing any issues or other inconsistencies that may not be noticed in regular use. Replacements and repairs can then be made according to the specific problem, in order to avoid further damage and unsafe work environments. If your equipment is particularly specialized, qualified experts might be needed to examine it in greater detail. These inspections can be organized by your supplier or the manufacturer in case you don’t have the right professional on your team.
Utilize helpful aids.
Depending on the equipment you use, additional aids could be of great help as well. If you regularly use industrial drills, for instance, then quality drilling fluid can be a brilliant investment. It will increase the drilling performance, increase the chances of a successfully completed job, and lead to more efficient and cost-effective drilling operations as a result. Regardless of the specific tools, your business utilizes, similar aids can go a long way toward increasing the lifespan of your professional equipment.
Schedule maintenance.
In case anything ever goes wrong with your equipment, it’s crucial to fix it correctly and quickly. Regular servicing can enable you to avoid unnecessarily long delays. It might be helpful to create a specific maintenance schedule where you could write down which equipment has been serviced, when, by whom, and when the next maintenance is due. This is quite a useful method for tracking the upkeep and controlling regular inspections, which could be especially beneficial for manufacturing, oil and gas, and construction equipment, as well as any other similar heavy machinery.
Clean and store well.
Cleaning your equipment after each use, especially if it’s been utilized for concrete or waste, can stop the buildup of material in the moving parts. A simple rinse each day, while the excess is still easy to clean, will prevent loss of movement and breakages. Proper storage is equally as important, particularly for smaller tools that can easily get damaged or lost. Although most industrial equipment is made to withstand harsh weather conditions, it will certainly last longer if you look after it well and always store it in a safe, shielded, visible, and suitable place.
Read the user manual.
After all, there’s no better place to find tips for prolonging the lifespan of your equipment than in the user manual that came with it. Although we tend to overlook it, this booklet is filled with useful information, including how to use the equipment properly, how to clean and store it, and how often inspections and servicing should be performed. The user manual is the only resource that will give you the most correct and relevant information for your specific equipment. If you’ve already thrown it out, you’ll likely find a digital form of the manual online.
If you’d like to extend the life of your business equipment, use the helpful tips mentioned above. A few simple changes in your everyday routine will allow you to take better care of your tools and save a significant sum on these important purchases in the long run.
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