Maintenance is vital for the longevity of your machinery and equipment. That should be something that doesn’t need to be said. However, finding the right maintenance schedule to ensure that nothing is overlooked and all equipment is functioning as it should and needs to can be a balancing act to see what works for you, your business and the equipment you use regularly.

The following tips are designed to help you maintain the functions of your machinery and equipment and preserve their lifespan so you can get the most out of them for as long as possible.

Have Regular Inspections

Regular inspections are your key to identifying faults and ensuring that everything is working as it should, specifically those pieces that are in near constant use. Every time something is used, it puts strain on the working parts, and over time, these parts can fail due to multiple reasons, including improper usage and wear and tear. By conducting regular inspections, you can catch these issues early, preventing costly breakdowns and ensuring the smooth operation of your equipment.

Things you need to be checking include;

• Loose components
• Visible signs of damage
• Rust spots
• Vibrations at high frequencies
• Increased temperatures when in operation 
• Wear and tear

Implement a Schedule

Implementing a maintenance schedule is crucial. It allows you to ensure that nothing goes unnoticed and issues are identified before they render the item unusable, impacting production. This level of organisation and control over your maintenance tasks can give you peace of mind, knowing that you are proactively managing the health of your equipment.

Check for recommended maintenance with the manufacturer to guide you on how frequently you need to inspect each piece of machinery. Then, from here, you can introduce all the checks that need to be performed on an individual basis and ensure a way of recording any required repairs, work that needs to be carried out, faults identified, the date faults were fixed, and any recommendations for replacing entire units or putting certain pieces of equipment or machinery out of use if they are posing a risk.

Lubricate Regularly

Regular lubrication is not just a suggestion; it’s a necessity. It is essential for all moving parts and helps the components of all machinery function correctly. Neglecting top-up lubricants can impact the output and put the equipment at risk of failure or excess damage. By ensuring regular and proper lubrication, such as using Anti-Seize Lubricant, you can enhance the reliability and longevity of your equipment, giving you peace of mind that your machinery is always ready to perform.

Clean Machines

Machinery and any other equipment you rely on to get the job done need to be cleaned like anything else. Allowing buildup to form, contaminant seals to accumulate, rust to accumulate, etc., can lead to premature failure and excess damage to the item in question. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning the equipment and ensure that the person responsible has been fully trained and knows how to carry out cleaning functions safely to avoid damage to persons and the equipment itself.