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Daily Machinery Inspections Can Add to Your Return on Investment
October 19, 2021
Written By Cody Baumert
A small investment of time and diligence through the performance of daily machinery inspections can pay dividends and add to the return on investment you have on your equipment. Maintenance is part of ownership; it always has been and always will be. You can plan for and schedule maintenance to help avoid unforeseen problems by implementing daily machinery inspections.
As a machinery owner or operator, you likely made a sizeable financial investment when purchasing your equipment. As the adage goes, “You’ve got to spend money to make money.” With today’s rising machinery costs, though, it’s crucial to get as much performance from your equipment as possible.
The Value of Daily Machinery Inspections
Don’t let the thought of daily machinery inspections discourage you. I’m not talking about a two-hour review before each daily start-up. It can be a quick, painless and easy way to maximize productivity and profit in most instances.
Focus on what you know during daily inspections and note any minor discrepancies. Things like fluid leaks and bulging tires are easy to spot by quickly walking around your equipment. These are the types of issues that, if left unchecked, can quickly cause downtime, profit loss and require immediate attention.
Track any minor problems that may not require immediate attention but need to be addressed when time allows. For example, if a piece of machinery is a quart of oil low, make a note of it, so you don’t forget to top it off. Keeping a record of these types of findings is vital to the successful maintenance of your equipment.
Pairing Daily Inspections with Regular Fluid Analysis Provides Enhanced Protection
If you see oil consumption trends develop, schedule the machine for maintenance. Analyzing your fluids is a great way to get a jump on issues before they become more severe. Analysis can show specific types of contamination and metal wear within engines and cooling systems.
Regularly scheduling analysis provides opportunities to identify minor issues and alleviate them before they become more costly to fix. Potential safety concerns should always take precedence. Take immediate action if you are dealing with failing brakes, seatbelts or lights.
Getting into a daily machinery inspection routine does not have to be a burden. Devoting just a few minutes to a piece of equipment each day can save you in the long run. Daily machinery inspections will prevent unwanted surprises while maximizing profits and maintaining a safe working environment for employees.