Lost revenue. Costly repairs. Project delays. When a machine is down, it can result in unintended costs that impact your business and reputation. Learn to prevent downtime before it happens—and identify issues before they turn into bigger problems.

When a machine is down, it can result in unintended costs — from lost revenue to costly repairs. It can also mean project delays that impact your employees, customers and even your reputation.

While you can't always predict machine downtime, you can have a plan to prevent it. Learn about the causes of equipment downtime and the seven steps you can take to save time, money and keep your crew safe.

 1. Preventative Maintenance

Preventive maintenance keeps your equipment running, helping to prevent downtime before it happens. If you skip maintenance, a small problem could result in prolonged downtime.

Start by reviewing your machine's service, parts and maintenance manuals. Your machine's manuals should outline the recommended service intervals for each component and what parts are needed. Be prepared with the supplies and parts you need before the next service is due.

 2. Monitor Equipment Performance

 Monitoring your machine's performance can help you identify issues before they turn into bigger problems. Operators are often the first to realize something doesn't feel right. If you're not the one behind the controls, take the time to talk with your operators about how each machine if performing. When they do flag an issue, address it as soon as you can.

 3. Have the Right Equipment and Tools for the Job

Having the right equipment and tools for the job will help prevent downtime and project delays. Before you start a project, evaluate the ground conditions, space constraints and material you're moving to help determine the right equipment.

If you don't own everything you need, consider renting. The Cat Rental Store has equipment, tools and supplies ready to be put to use. They can even deliver directly to your jobsite.

 4. Properly Store Equipment

When you store machines for an extended period, extra care is needed to keep them in good condition. Start by reviewing storage recommendations from the manufacturer. This is often included in the Operation and Maintenance Manual.

 5. Complete a Machine Walkaround

 Machine walkarounds are an essential start and end to each work shift. By performing these daily, you can identify leaks, hose rubs and other problems that can impact a machine's ability to work. Complete this pre and post-shift and report any maintenance or safety concerns you find to help prevent equipment downtime.

At GLOMACHT we have a wide variety of machines, with high quality standards and a team of qualified workers to provide you with the best service and assistance.