If you’re like many construction businesses, your heavy equipment fleet is one of your largest and most important investments—a big reason why studies show equipment maintenance is on the rise.
According to a Cognitive Market Research report, the heavy equipment maintenance market is projected to experience a 6 percent compound annual growth rate from 2023 to 2030. This growth in maintenance can be attributed to several factors, like:
- Better predictive maintenance technology available for today’s heavy equipment
- Stringent safety regulations
- Continued focus on maximizing the ROI for heavy equipment purchases
To give you some practical tips to reduce downtime and keep you on track this year, we’ve rounded up 5 of the best fleet management tips.
1. Perform Inspections and Maintenance
Routine inspections can help you catch minor issues before they become larger problems, so it’s a good idea to conduct inspections at regular intervals. Depending on the type of machine, usage, and manufacturer recommendations, you may need to inspect daily, weekly, monthly, or annually.
Check out our guide to heavy equipment inspections if you need some quick tips. It’s a great starting point if you’re new to periodic or annual inspections.
There are two main types of equipment maintenance:
- Preventative: Planned or preventative maintenance aims to address problems before they occur. These scheduled tasks may include oil changes, tire pressure checks, or cleaning.
- Reactive: Reactive maintenance occurs after the discovery of a problem. Unlike planned maintenance, these repairs are often more costly.
If you or another operator detect an issue upon inspection, address it immediately and de-commission the machine until the problem is resolved.
As good practice, train operators to inspect each piece of equipment before use, including the exterior, interior, tracks, and tires. In addition to daily inspections, consider a customer value agreement through Carolina Cat to keep your fleet well-maintained and serviced.
2. Leverage Construction Fleet Management Technology
In today’s digitally driven age, it’s easier than ever to incorporate automation features into your fleet management plan.
For example, the Cat® VisionLink app lets you conveniently track a variety of equipment performance metrics in real-time from a single platform, such as:
- Fuel usage
- Servicing history
- Mileage
- Location
- Temperature
- Maintenance requirements
As you can imagine, this app makes it significantly easier to stay on top of equipment upkeep by giving you the power to know exactly what’s happening.
Use Tracking Tags for Any Construction Asset
Tracking tags are another fleet management solution for some types of equipment. These devices can gather data, locate machines across different worksites, and give you a complete picture of all your active and inactive assets. Using tracking tags is also a reliable way to protect equipment from theft.
Another component of fleet management is how you manage your projects. Construction project management software like Trimble WorksOS can help you view progress plans, track work completed and, and monitor real-time productivity data like production quantity, areas graded, or cut and fill progress.
3. Train Your Operators
Proper operator training although easy to overlook, can make or break even the best fleet management process. Misusing equipment or engaging in risky driving behaviors, such as speeding, taking sharp turns, or overloading, can put your operators at risk of injury and cause equipment or property damage.
That’s why at Carolina Cat we prioritize safety for operators by offering clear and thorough training on equipment we sell, lease, and rent to customers.
Consider Carolina Cat’s comprehensive operator training program while you’re thinking about fleet management. These sessions teach operators the ins and outs of Cat equipment, including important safety protocols, and best practices to increase productivity.
4. Have a Plan for Security
The last thing you want is someone stealing a machine—and it’s more common than you might think. The National Equipment Register reports that around $1 billion in heavy equipment is stolen each year.
That’s why at Carolina Cat, we prioritize safety and security when storing or delivering equipment to customers. Here are some equipment security tips you can implement:
- Ensure only trained operators and employees use the equipment
- Limit access to active employees and authorized personnel
- Consider site security solutions including barriers, keypads, and cameras
Since insurance is a key component of your safety strategy, check out our post on choosing the right insurance for your equipment. We provide a simple overview of the insurance landscape and how to activate an insurance plan.
5. Implement Load Optimization
Load optimization isn’t just a fancy term – it can be a secret weapon to boost efficiency for construction equipment like excavators. For example, you can maximize efficiency and minimize cycle times by ensuring each bucket load is appropriately sized.
Here are a few simple tips to optimize load optimization for heavy equipment:
- Equipment Configuration: To maximize efficiency, select the appropriate bucket or blade size and type for the material and task.
- Optimal Filling: Load buckets or blades to capacity without overloading, so each scoop or push carries the maximum amount of material without straining the machine.
- Smooth Operation: Maintain smooth and controlled movements to minimize spillage and reduce the need for re-handling, optimizing productivity.
- Efficient Dumping/Blade Control: Dump material in a controlled manner or adjust blade angles to minimize spillage and maximize the effectiveness of each load or pass.
- Cycle Time Management: Optimize cycle times by planning efficient sequences and maintaining consistent speed, enhancing overall performance on the job site.
Carolina Cat Can Help You Create a Fleet Maintenance Plan
When you choose Carolina Cat for your fleet management needs, you gain a partner who cares as much about your business’s success as you do. We are committed to helping all construction companies maximize their productivity, efficiency and uptime and proud to be your one-stop shop for:
- A quality selection of new, used and rental equipment.
- A wide inventory of parts and attachments.
- A variety of equipment services, including planned maintenance and emergency repairs.
Get the reliable products and services you need from Carolina Cat today. Let us know how we can assist you by contacting us online.