Even the slightest and smallest signs of wear and tear can eventually lead to equipment malfunction or failure. This is applicable to all kinds of heavy equipment, from forklifts to heavy-duty demolition machinery. Problematic equipment can compromise the safety of employees operating them and reduce expected efficiency and productivity. Have your heavy equipment repaired or serviced when it isn’t performing as well as it should or if it displays warning signs.
Low Fluid Levels
One important sign that your equipment has a serious problem is if starts leaking coolant or hydraulic oils. This can trigger a whole host of problems because parts that aren’t properly and adequately lubricated eventually cause downtime and require repairs. Luckily, most heavy equipment dashboards have low-fluid lights and symbols to indicate when fluid levels are dangerously low. It’s still important to look into liquid components individually and manually every now and then.
Leakage normally occurs around hoses and hydraulic systems. They may also appear around the fluid transmission system of heavy equipment. Leaks may be caused by jammed or malfunctioning valves. To prevent this, engage in regular preventative maintenance procedures. If problems have already presented, take your equipment to a certified technician so these concerns don’t become worse.
Exhaust Problems
Exhaust fumes can indicate developing problems in your equipment. Don’t overlook instances when fumes emit discolored or thick discharges. Left unaddressed, you run the risk of meeting regulatory violations and putting your team’s health at risk. It’s important to determine both short and long-term solutions for these irregularities.
Problems may occur because of dirty or clogged air filters, or overworked engine exhaust filters. However, these causes may also signify more severe concerns. These include engine malfunctions, ventilation failure, and oxygen sensor misreading.
Strange Noises
Your equipment may exude sounds of gears seizing or parts wheezing. You’ll know right away when noises aren’t normal, but it may not be so easy to determine exactly what’s wrong and what needs to be serviced.
Auditory hissing could be caused by leaking in the equipment’s cooling systems. Clacking noises may signify problems with the steering, brake, and hydraulics. This may be a fairly common issue with regular heavy labor, as when machine parts repeatedly rub or hammer against each other. If you can’t figure out where these noises are coming from, bring equipment to be professionally serviced. It’s best to be safe and you’ll likely face much higher costs when problems have become worse.
Engine Stalls
It’s definitely not a good sign when it is difficult to start your equipment’s engine. This problem may be caused by overused and underserviced engine components and machine batteries. Consider conducting regular power tests on your engine and ensuring that all the fluids, oils, and fuels in the system remain at controlled, standard levels.
There are many factors that could signify your heavy equipment is in need of maintenance or repair. Try not to overwork or strain heavy equipment and make sure you deal with even minor problems as they come up.
