Compact Construction Equipment Maintenance Checklist

Regular compact equipment maintenance can be the difference between a fleet that serves you well and one that is constantly costing you money. Business owners often think that if a service sticker says they have time before a follow-up appointment, they’re in the clear. However, that’s not always the case.

You rely on your heavy equipment for income, so you don’t want to ignore maintenance tasks that can help prevent downtime and expensive repairs. Whether your fleet consists of 15 machines or over 100 pieces of equipment, following the compact equipment maintenance checklist below is an effective way to ensure your employees stay safe and your investments function as they should.

  1. Inform Your Employees and Mark the Calendar

Ideally, all machine operators will understand the importance of a construction equipment maintenance schedule. The first step in keeping your investments in peak operating condition is to prioritize daily inspections. Batteries die, hardware pieces loosen and an oil leak can spring when you least expect it, so performing visual inspections allows you to catch problems early.

Assign a small group of employees the responsibility of updating maintenance logs and reviewing user manuals. Record-keeping is essential for monitoring the state of a machine and determining when to rotate equipment out.

2. Abide by Owner’s Manuals From Equipment Manufacturers

Whether you purchase new or used construction equipment, printed booklets and online resources will inform you of how often you should be changing out oil and visiting a service shop.

Machines may have different maintenance recommendations even if they are made by the same manufacturer. For example, one piece of construction equipment may call for an oil change every 200 hours, while another model by the same brand might require one every 150 hours. Only you know your machines’ operating environment, so it is possible that they need service sooner than the manufacturer suggests.

Take manufacturer recommendations with a grain of salt. It is important not to operate machines past these intervals, but it might be necessary to draw up your own construction equipment preventive maintenance schedule based on use. An oil warning light or engine that runs hot requires service even if you have not yet reached the date on the window sticker.

3. Promote Equipment Training and Regular Cleanings

Only individuals with proper training should operate your fleet. Make sure all equipment operators can tell when something is out of the ordinary. There are hundreds of components that make heavy equipment function, so users should know how to check oil levels, fluids, belts, tires and other critical systems. Equipment operators who have a strong understanding of your fleet will pick up on sudden changes in performance, enabling them to pinpoint small issues before they become big problems.

Additionally, regular compact equipment maintenance should involve frequent cleanings. Clearing mud, moisture and other contaminants from exterior surfaces helps prevent rust. Most machines can be wiped down in just a few minutes, which has the potential to save you from repairs down the road. It’s also wise to stock up on common wear and tear components to maximize uptime.

Trust Mustang Cat for Construction Machinery Services in Southeast Texas

Mustang Cat helps crews in Houston, Texas, and the surrounding areas maintain fleets of all sizes. View all Mustang Cat locations here. Our highly trained technicians service genuine Cat machines, and we provide you with a collection of Cat replacement parts so you can remain productive on the job. Have questions about our construction machinery service plans? Complete a contact form to get in touch with us today.