Most common causes of equipment failure

All vehicles, machines, and work tools are exposed to damage associated with the work environment, even if they are stored and maintained in inoperable conditions.

The most common causes that lead to a lifetime below that stipulated by the manufacturer will be:

1.-Maintenance: Poor monitoring of a maintenance program that includes inspections, the record of operations, corrections, and observations is the first cause of severe breakdowns in machinery.

Every machine must receive preventive maintenance in a certain period to maintain component integrity and proper operation.

Since there are specific parts higher exposed to wear compared to others, as well as replaceable elements every “n” number of hours, you should consult a manual for proper maintenance.

On the other hand, during the periodic reviews of the machine, it will be possible to locate faults that will require corrective maintenance, as well as potential defects that will be addressed in the future, including them in predictive maintenance.

2.-Operation: Much of the significant breakdowns of a machine come from a deficient operation.

An experienced operator with proper training can identify the operational limits of his vehicle in different environments and thus decide when it is feasible or not to take a specific action.

Make sure that the operator knows the allowed and forbidden maneuvers provided by the operation manual for the vehicle and each of the incorporated tools.

3.-Replacement of wear elements: Although this section could be included within the preventive and corrective maintenance, it is necessary to pay attention during the periodic inspections to the level of wear or the general condition exhibited by easily interchangeable parts and replace them if necessary such as connector cables, hoses, filters, tires, shoes, tools as well as their components (blades, teeth, hawks, tips, etc.)

4.-Corrosion: When operating a machine in aggressive environments with a high level of humidity for long periods, it is common for the vehicle to exhibit corrosion in metallic elements, which if not attended promptly will cause excessive wear and long-term damage significant.

The most common way to avoid corrosion will be to apply thin coatings in layers, periodically clean the machine after operating in particularly muddy environments, perform bodywork and painting when necessary, etc.