How to service and maintain construction equipment.

• Position: THE "HOW TO GUIDE"

Say the words "down time" to any mining contractor, and one is guaranteed to see him cringe. Down time is one of the most costly situations on any job site, but it can largely be avoided by implementing a policy of preventative maintenance, such as fluid level checks and pressure checks.

Although preventative maintenance makes sense to everyone, there are many different avenues that lead to the same destination. By exploring the pros and cons of each, business owners can choose the alternative that best fulfills their company's needs.

In the case of operators who own one piece of equipment, for example, an excavator digging basements, they will probably choose to handle preventative maintenance themselves. All operators, whether directly responsible for maintenance or not, should grease their equipment on a daily basis. This reduces rubbing metal on metal, which causes excessive wear and leads to unnecessary repairs or replacement.

Larger companies often employ one or two mechanics to do service calls and repair work on site. There are also savings to be had through buying stock requirements in bulk.

Leasing equipment provides warranties on breakage due to manufacturers' defects, but it doesn't necessarily cover service and maintenance. It is possible, at the time of leasing, to make arrangements for a maintenance program, but the full-service lease...