How to Reduce Downtime Through Excavator Maintenance
Whether you oversee a multi-million-dollar operation or own a budding landscaping company, excavators are one of the most popular and hardest-working machines on the market today. The pinnacle of grit and determination and unmatched in versatility, we rely heavily on these machines daily. So, when one unexpectedly breaks down, it can grind production to a halt, resulting in costly downtime that can seriously impact your bottom line.
We might see excavators as invincible, but they’re still susceptible to weathering and deterioration. In fact, their large workloads put them at a higher risk of suffering excessive damage, performance issues, and breakdowns. This makes having a solid excavator or mini excavator maintenance strategy paramount in our industry. It’s one of the best ways to keep your operation pushing forward.
At Chadwick-BaRoss, we have almost 100 years of hands-on experience with a variety of excavator makes and models. Fueled by this knowledge, we’ve compiled helpful guidelines for constructing your own maintenance strategy to keep your excavators and mini excavators in prime working condition.
Assigning a Maintenance Manager
We work in dangerous, fast-paced environments that require constant focus and attention. Combine that with the business side and you’re juggling ten things at once. With a designated maintenance manager, you can create a streamlined process that ensures your machines are well taken care of. Your maintenance manager can be your point of contact for service schedules, repair logs, parts inventory, and owner’s manuals.
A maintenance manager is particularly useful if you own and operate a large excavator fleet consisting of multiple brands since different models have different service timetables. They can create a service schedule that considers these differences and ensures you’re never without a machine.
You can also contact the factory-trained technicians at Chadwick-BaRoss. Our preventive maintenance program will work with you to schedule and conduct all recommended service intervals and inspection reports. . We carry an extensive stock of OEM parts and lubricants across all our locations and can act quickly and efficiently to keep your momentum going.
Using Your Telematics Data
As our industry evolves, so do the machines we use. Nowhere is this better seen than in the advancements of telematics data. With the help of modern technology, excavators now have a variety of sensors and data touchpoints constantly monitoring your machine’s performance. Everything your excavator does, from fuel consumption to engine diagnostics, is tracked, logged, and analyzed.
Identifying Your Workhorses
One of the advantages of telematic data is being able to identify which of your excavators is working the hardest. This will make it easier to determine which are at a higher risk of suffering a breakdown. This information can also be incredibly beneficial when creating your maintenance schedule. By accurately tracking the health of your excavators, you can ensure you don’t pull a machine for maintenance too early or too late.
Automatic & Detailed Work Reports
As we said earlier, almost everything your excavator does is recorded, thanks to the advancements in telematics. This wealth of knowledge is indispensable when forming your preventive maintenance strategy. For example, you may notice that the output of one of your excavators has begun to decrease or the engine’s temperature is higher than it should be. By using your telematic data, you can identify and inspect these discrepancies, getting ahead of the problem and turning a costly breakdown into a quick fix. Telematic software can even alert the operator when it detects an irregularity, allowing them to take immediate action.
Telematics data can also save you a lot of time when getting your excavator serviced. Think of it as a detailed history of your excavator’s life. An experienced technician, like the factory-trained technicians at Chadwick-BaRoss, can use this information to identify hidden issues quickly, schedule optimal maintenance checks, and produce detailed reports. It also gives us the ability to troubleshoot certain problems remotely, ensuring nothing stands in your way.
Fluid Checks & Analysis
The fluid of your excavator is its lifeblood. Check engine oils, hydraulic fluid, grease, and coolant levels regularly and top up when needed. Record when you do this and the levels before and after filling in a log. This will give you a better idea of when your excavators need to be refilled and give you a frame of reference. Fluids lower than they should be signal a leak. If your machines collect telematic data, this will all be done automatically.
Another way to minimize the risk of unexpected breakdowns and downtime is routine fluid analysis. Having your excavator’s fluids analyzed can detect oil degradation, contamination from bacteria and mold, and alert you of any other abnormalities. Over time these unseen issues can wreak havoc on your excavator’s systems, accelerate deterioration, and lead to expensive and time-consuming repairs.
Inspecting your Undercarriage
Undercarriage and track damage is one of the leading causes of excavator and mini excavator breakdowns. Think of the undercarriage of your excavator like your work boots, pushing through some of the toughest terrain day in and day out. How many work boots have you gone through over the years? While built to withstand the demands of our industry, the job inevitably takes its toll. You can save hundreds of thousands of dollars in unnecessary downtime by properly inspecting and maintaining your excavator or mini excavator's track and undercarriage.
Before you start your shift, take a few minutes to inspect these areas. Look for any signs of oil leakage and check the hydraulic hoses for any punctures or abnormal wear patterns. Make sure all your hardware and seals are tight, your joints are dry, and check if anything looks out of place. Some experts recommend conducting a complete undercarriage inspection every 1000-2000 working hours.
Cleaning Your Undercarriage
Another way to reduce the risk of downtime is through routine cleaning of your excavator’s tracks and undercarriage. Firstly, it prevents debris from freezing or hardening on the undercarriage. Not only will this tightly compacted debris cause excessive wear, but it can also work its way into the final drive, damaging the main seals, which can only be solved through replacement. Secondly, it helps increase efficiency by decreasing excessive weight that has built up. Finally, a clean undercarriage and track system make visual inspections easier and quicker to complete.
For additional excavator support, contact the technicians at Chadwick-BaRoss. We offer total undercarriage, cylinder, and hose inspections, repairs, and rebuilds, taking your maintenance to another level. We have the agility to schedule service appointments around your needs and are capable of meeting you in the field.
Track Tension
The incorrect track tension can cause a slew of problems for your excavator. Tracks that are too tight can increase stress on key elements of your undercarriage, as well as cause you to lose performance power. Tracks that are too loose can cause excessive wear on the bushings and sockets. Ideally, track tension should be checked every 10-15 hours, depending on the job site. Remember, before you make any adjustments, let your excavator run for about 30 minutes. This will allow it to acclimatize to the working conditions and give you a more accurate reading of the track’s current tension.
Operator Usage
One of the easiest ways to minimize the risk of downtime is with the right operator. An experienced, trustworthy operator who knows how to best use your excavator can be the difference between repair and reward. Things like making aggressive turns, running the machine at high speeds, same-direction turning, excessive track spinning, and counter-rotations can cause unnecessary and expensive damage to your machines. A good operator will know to avoid these actions whenever possible. Which leads us to our next tip…
Trusting Your Operators
No one knows your excavators better than their operators. Together they’ve been through it all. They’ve pushed further, dug deeper, and worked harder to get the job done. Not only will an experienced operator be able to hear any abnormal noises, but they can sense when their excavator isn’t responding properly.
This makes a trustworthy and reliable operator one of your first lines of defence against costly downtime. You can also trust an experienced operator to follow proper operating techniques and not push an excavator beyond its limits.
Finding A Reliable Service Partner
These steps are a great way of minimizing the chances of unexpected breakdowns and downtime. However, they can’t eliminate them. In our industry, hard work and harder conditions are unavoidable, and problems beyond your control will arise. That’s why it’s so important to have a reliable and trustworthy service partner by your side.
At Chadwick-BaRoss, we believe that when the right machines meet the right people, you can move mountains. We offer a wide selection of innovative services and solutions that go above and beyond the call of duty and make both your machines and your business a force to be reckoned with.
The final key? Starting with an excavator or mini excavator from a reliable source. Whether you’re in the market for a new excavator to expand your fleet, a used one that fits your budget, or a rental for a quick job, the experts at Chadwick-BaRoss can help you find the right machine for the job. With nine full-service locations across five states, we have what it takes to make you unstoppable.
Contact us today.