In mid-March, the world changed forever as the pandemic forced businesses to quickly adapt to a new normal. Whether you're a rental house or a construction company, we are all learning and making adjustments to live and do business in an entirely new world. Chances are your equipment is seeing less use than it was in the past and you have probably postponed purchasing and/or leasing new equipment for the foreseeable future. With that in mind, we have some tips and pointers on how you can maintain and extend the life of your current fleet.
First of all, take this time to thoroughly clean your machine, inside and out. Now's the perfect opportunity to clean out any accumulated trash, dust the interior and clean the floor mats. Disinfection is also extremely important. As you clean, make sure to pay particular attention to “high touch” areas such as joysticks, seatbelts, steering wheels, etc. If you haven’t already, you should also implement a cleaning and disinfecting procedure for your staff to follow. Keeping a cleaning kit inside the cab will make it fast and painless for employees to use it. In addition to cleaning supplies such as gloves and wipes, we have all of the parts you need to keep you cab looking like new.
On the exterior, consider a thorough washing to remove accumulated bugs, dirt and grime. At this time, you can inspect the machine for any damage and other potential problems. You should also inspect the paint and see if there are any areas that might need a touch up. TVH carries paint for all major makes so you can make sure you always have a can on hand for when it’s needed. Not only will this help you keep your equipment looking nice, but you will also be preventing issues from arising down the road; rust can ruin your equipment long before the end of its useful life if you allow it.
In addition to cleaning, you can also perform some regular maintenance activities. Review your owner’s manual for each of your machines for a checklist of what needs to be done. From changing fluids and filters to replacing worn out tires and unreadable decals, appropriately maintaining your equipment will greatly extend its life. It’s also important to know what you can do on your own and when you should call in a professional. While routine maintenance like changing the oil and filters or lubricating your undercarriage are pretty straightforward, more technical projects, such as welding on critical areas or replacing delicate electronics, are probably best saved for the experts. From filters to window glass, our same day shipping, next day delivery means that you can have everything you need to bring new life to your equipment quickly and easily.
If you equipment will be sitting unused for an extended period of time, it's important that it is still maintained properly. This will ensure that it's in optimal shape when you're ready to use it again, don't just park it and forget it. Each piece should be turned on and ran for at least 10-15 minutes each week to not only preserve the life of the battery but to also ensure all systems are operating correctly. If possible, actually drive the machine (or at least move it back and forth a few times) to keep it from remaining stationary for too long; this will also help prevent your tires from getting flat spots or your tracks getting degraded in the sun.
These slower times can also be a great opportunity to review proper equipment usage with your employees. Spending time on training will help ensure that your equipment is being operated properly, thus preserving the life of the machine. For example, proper driving technique can greatly extend the life of your mini excavator or compact track loader tracks while proper loading techniques can keep your forks in great shape as long as possible. You may also want to train your staff on how to operate new machines. Not only will this make them more versatile employees, but it will also give them greater job satisfaction.
As you work to keep your equipment healthy through this period of upheaval, know that TVH will continue to remain open in order to ensure that you have access to the parts, tools and information you need to do your job. For more information about how TVH is here for you, please contact your sales representative or visit www.tvh.com.