Whether you’re in construction, excavation, or manufacturing, equipment downtime typically means the same thing: lost productivity. Your equipment is crucial to the success of your business, and downtime costs you money. Fortunately, almost 90% of premature hydraulic failures are avoidable with routine preventative maintenance.

R&N is a leading provider of quality hydraulic cylinder repair, and is prepared to work with you to minimize downtime and save you money by providing high-quality service. The good news is there are several things that you can do right away to keep your machinery and equipment in working order:

1 Visually inspect your equipment frequently. Heavy equipment gets dirty and routinely incurs cosmetic damage through standard usage. But, sometimes bigger problems can be prevented by making note of visual indicators. In particular, look for scoring on cylinder rods, fluid accumulation, rust or corrosion, cracking or charring on hoses, and fitting slippage. When the equipment is in operation, make note of any unusual noises or smells.

2 Physically inspect your equipment frequently. Check filters for clogs, Clean and test pressure-relief valves on a regular basis, and inspect the sump tank for moisture by taking a sample from the bottom. Oil and lubricate your cylinder rods, and replace any hoses that have been damaged.

3 Operate your equipment within recommended guidelines. As the old saying goes, “use the right tool for the job.” Using equipment beyond its recommended operating capacity can put excess wear and tear on the equipment, and can create an occupational hazard for your employees. As your business grows, it may be time to consider upgrades. Avoiding necessary upgrades because you can’t afford them can often cost you much more the in long run, in terms of repair costs and lost revenue due to downtime.

4 Make sure the equipment operators are properly trained to troubleshoot. The equipment operators should be your first line of defense against downtime. Make sure operators are properly trained on the equipment, and fully informed about any recent repairs or upgrades. If they experience any problems or concerns, make sure they communicate them right away.

5 Be realistic about the maintenance and repairs that you can perform on your own. Every company is different in terms of their ability to service equipment. Some companies have large machine shops, and some have a single “handyman” on staff. Routine preventative maintenance can be carried out by anyone with the proper training. However, in order to properly repair hydraulics, you need specialized equipment and trained repair personnel. Be prepared to identify which jobs you can handle in-house, and which jobs require outside help.

R&N Hydraulics has been in operation since 1979, and is a leading provider of repair and production of hydraulic cylinders. Our experienced staff are a phone call or click away, and will be happy to work with you to keep your equipment in working order. Call us at 501-847-2816, or click here and let us help you make a plan to minimize downtime and manage repair costs!