What is Earth Moving Equipment?

Maintaining earth-moving machinery is something that must be done to prevent major problems down the road. The last thing you want on a site is non-working equipment. Improper maintenance will shorten the lifespan of machinery, cause it to breakdown frequently, require costly repairs, and slow down your operations. Also, there are workers who die each year due to heavy machinery accidents — often caused by non-maintained equipment and improper training. Following these tips might help prevent injuries and deaths.

Tip #1: Always Keep Machinery Lubricated

All moving parts of a machine will eventually fail if they aren’t lubricated. Without proper lubrication, parts will create excess friction, and this friction can cause severe wear and tear on the machinery. As a result of this deterioration, the lifespan of the moving parts will be drastically shortened. In order to avoid this slow destruction, earth-moving machinery should be properly maintained, and all moving parts should be well lubricated.

The proper amount of lubrication is just as important as the part itself. With too little lubrication, you are not ensuring the moving parts will operate properly. With too much lubrication, the machinery won’t be able to handle it properly, and this could cause energy loss, seal issues and an excess accumulation of grease.

To properly maintain heavy machinery, you should also use the lubrication specifically recommended by the manufacturer. Using the wrong type could be ineffective or even damage the mining machinery.

Tip #2: Clean Heavy Machinery Well

Another great tip for properly maintaining earth-moving machinery is to make sure it stays as clean as possible. Dirt and debris can damage one or more of the delicate parts of heavy machinery — which could necessitate costly repairs.

Earth-moving machinery parts are fitted with special seals and filters designed to keep dirt and grime out of sensitive areas. If a seal cracks or breaks, it won’t properly protect the machinery. Filters that are clogged with excess dirt and grime won’t correctly do their job. Even a machine’s cab contains many delicate pieces of equipment that will malfunction if contaminated.

Broken seals must be repaired immediately. Breathers must be kept clean. And all filters should be inspected regularly, and changed when they become dirty or clogged.

One of the best ways to protect your mining machinery from dirt and the elements is to keep it housed in a building. Anything from a shed to a garage will do; just make sure the building is clean and free from standing water or leaks. By sheltering the machinery, you will prevent rust, grime build-up, and problems that result from these issues.