A Guide to Fixing Construction Truck Equipment
Fixing the construction truck equipment comes in reactive and preventative maintenance. Reactive maintenance is done when the equipment encounters a problem like low oils or performance issues. On the other hand, preventative maintenance prevents possible issues that can delay your work or cost you more money to fix. Regularly servicing your equipment will help you keep it in peak condition. Here is a guide to fixing truck equipment.
Make Sure You Have an Attorney
Construction truck equipment handling is risky and can expose people to injuries. As such, you must be very prepared to avoid being sued by clients and workers in case of injuries. The first thing you should do before getting an attorney is to have relevant insurance policies. With the insurance policy, your attorney can work effectively to protect you from injury-related claims.
Fixing the construction truck equipment is easier because the insurance can cover repair costs in case of damages. But ensure you have injury and property damage coverage to minimize the risks and costs. That said, go for general liability insurance to protect your clients’ properties. For instance, if you are constructing a building in a certain factory and damages happen, your attorney will easily claim compensation for your client company.
The second policy you should have is workers’ compensation. This insurance covers lost wages and medical expenses due to work-related injuries or illness. For instance, if the dump truck driver or a crane operator is injured at work, you can hire another, as the insurance will cover their lost wages and medical expenses. Workers’ compensation is mandatory in most states because construction is a physically demanding industry with many potential injuries.
Besides the personal injury attorneys to protect you from injury claims, commercial auto insurance is also beneficial. It will cover damages caused by your construction trucks on the road. It can also cover the repair costs, especially if you have auto collision insurance. An attorney can help you in situations where determining the faults is difficult.
The last coverage you should have is the constructors’ tools and equipment insurance. If your tools and equipment are damaged or stolen at the construction site, your attorney will quickly help you file the claims. Fortunately, the policy covers a wide range of tools like drills and saws under five years old.
Repairing the Roof
Construction truck equipment fixing involves checking on the roof regularly. These heavy machines operate on areas with debris, and their roofs are easily forgotten during maintenance. This exposes them to rusting and fading. Once the paint job is affected, the truck value goes down.
Metal roofing in construction equipment requires regular cleaning. When loading the dirt, some can rest on the cabin roof and expose the metal surface to damage. Leaves from the trees around the parking area can also rest on the roof and rot. Ultimately, they damage the paint job and degrade the equipment’s value.
Ideally, clean your equipment every day after work to prevent rust from forming holes in the roof. This will save you money because extreme damage repairs can reduce your profits. When moving the trucks from one site to another, ensure they are clean to avoid endangering the road traffic.
Suppose your construction truck roof is damaged; here is what you should do to restore the value. First, determine the damage to the roof because if it has been exposed to the weather for a long time, the damage can be severe. If the damages are minor, you can fix them, but if they are severe, call a professional.
Invest in fine-grit sandpaper and remove the rust from the roof. Sanding may require different sandpaper grades depending on the rust. After sanding the roof, you need to treat the surface to prevent future rusting. You can use a rust inhibitor or citric acid dissolved in hot water. Use a dry microfiber cloth to dry the surface after a thorough treatment.
Finally, apply the primer and cover the affected area with touch-up paint. The cabin roof can also get mold and mildew due to the harsh working environment. Treat the cabin with vinegar and add air fresheners. Lately, wax your construction truck equipment before and after winter to prevent salt and grime damage.
Cleaning Out Your Equipment
Keeping the construction truck equipment clean is the best way to enhance performance. The employees can handle them properly and also minimize the chances of accidents. Dirt, grime, salt, mud, grease, and other fluids can damage the e equipment’s surface with time. As such, you need to invest in quality pressure washer machines.
Cleaning the construction equipment can be complex because mud gets into moving parts. You need a pressure washer to direct water at high pressure to loosen the mud and other stains on metals. At some point, heated pressure washers can add to the cleaning power. Here is what the industry experts suggest when cleaning the equipment.
- Know how to operate pressure washers – pressure washers have different levels of pressure measured in PSI. Before cleaning, you must determine the correct pressure to clean your construction truck equipment. Hardened clumps of mud dirt need higher pressure to remove. But note that excessive pressure through a narrow nozzle can damage the paint, so check the paint quality before setting up the pressure.
- Set up the machine – follow the manufacturer’s guide when setting up the pressure washing machine. The coupler attachment to the garden hose from the machine must be secure, and the faucet connection must be tight and leakproof. Set the spray gun carefully and inspect the nozzle because sediments can block it. Make adjustments to determine the best tips for removing stains on the surface.
- The process – work from top downwards to ensure dirty water doesn’t stain already cleaned lower parts. Most companies looking for dumpster rentals will look for a well-maintained truck that will handle their projects well. So, a clean truck will help you build a reputation. Dismantle any removable parts of the equipment and ensure they are free of dirt and debris.
Pressure washers with advanced technologies can give you the best cleaning experience. They can save you water and energy. Heated pressure washers dislodge the mud quickly using hot water, saving you from excessive water use. Once your truck is clean, you can fix damaged parts and return to work or advertise it for construction dumpster rental.
Finding New Parts
New parts for your construction truck equipment will be cheaper if you find a reliable supplier. Since you are doing a heavy job with the truck, you need parts with a warranty. Additionally, if you analyze all the parts your truck needs for repair, you may purchase them at good offers.
Nowadays, the internet has made everything about sales and purchases easier. You can search for reliable construction truck parts suppliers around your area. This will enable you to compare the quality and prices before visiting the manufacturer or a dealer. Afterward, visit the dealer, make a purchase price agreement, and sign the warranty documents.
Most parts, like the air intake, are made of lighter materials to make the trucks lighter. This helps in fuel efficiency. Fiberglass part manufacturing plants also make the materials durable for use in construction trucks. However, if your truck needs various parts made of different materials, you may have to visit several dealers.
Most dump trucks use a delicate hydraulic system that needs regular maintenance. Form a relationship with a reliable repair shop or hire a professional to maintain the liquid-filled hoist system. If you’re cable contractors, ensure you source the crane parts from a reliable supplier for efficiency and safety.
Renting New Equipment
At some point, your construction truck equipment may need advanced repairs. Another instance is when you have several projects that need to be completed at a shorter duration. You may need to rent new equipment for your company in these situations. Renting equipment ensures you don’t delay the client project and can also handle several projects simultaneously.
Most companies that rent out their equipment have insurance covers, but it’s also safe to have your insurance cover for equipment rental purposes. Construction equipment and other machinery can be expensive to repair or replace in case of theft. A reliable insurance policy will protect you in case of damages or theft.
On the other hand, there are things you should consider when renting new equipment for your company. For instance, if you need a bobcat rental, check if the company has insured the machine. The second thing to check is the technology in the equipment. Modern equipment are more technologically advanced, so they can save fuel and work efficiently.
Another thing you must consider is the reputation of the company. Most construction equipment and machinery are hired on an hourly basis. A reputable company will indicate the amount per hour and any other charges that may apply. If their terms are unclear, check for other alternatives because you may end up paying higher than your budget.
Check if the equipment is well maintained for reliability. Poorly maintained equipment can delay your work and consume more fuel, exceeding your budget. Ensure you are well-trained to operate the machinery or use the equipment before you rent. Most companies may rent you equipment and offer professionals to operate it, but it can be more expensive.
Finally, check the return policy of the equipment before signing any agreement. The return and billing policy will save you from troubles when doing transactions and delivering the equipment to the owner. Although renting equipment may save you the repair and maintenance costs, you must return it in good condition. As such, ensure you follow the guidelines and terms during use and clean it after the projects.
Repairing Windows
In construction and mining projects, you may have to regularly repair the truck windows because of damages. Truck windows are exposed to damage because stones can drift at the quarry or fall off when loading. If any size stone hits the glass windows, they can shatter quickly, exposing the interior to weather.
Once you repair your truck windows, you need to carry out preventive maintenance to save repair costs in the future. Iron window guards can protect your machinery from flying debris and falling stones during work. Additionally, if parked at the quarry or construction site overnight, they prevent thieves from breaking the windows and accessing the interior.
Considering the risk of construction sites, the window guards will protect the equipment operators if debris or stones break the windows. However, iron guards must be well-treated to prevent rusting. Trucks and excavators work in harsh environments with salt, grime, and other weather elements that can damage the metals fast. Ensure they are well painted and perform regular maintenance daily.
Getting Back to Work!
Apart from the daily construction truck and the machinery maintenance, you should set up a period for advanced inspection and maintenance after completing every project. This will help you run the projects well and efficiently. After the roof repairs, damaged parts changing, and cleaning, you need to get back to work, probably starting a new project.
Check the construction site and ensure a safe area to park your equipment. You can build large shades to protect your equipment from weather damage like hailstones. Also, ensure the site is well-fenced and equipped with a reliable security system of CCTV cameras. Cameras will help you follow up on theft cases and manage your projects.
If your equipment is hired by dredging companies, check their site to determine how you will perform maintenance. For instance, if they work in a salty lake or sea, you must regularly treat the equipment for rust because salt can quickly degrade metallic parts. You also need to invest in quality drilling materials because of the different elements on the ground.
Suppose your machines are working on areas with tough rocks and earth; you can put up measures to keep them safe and also save money. For instance, you can opt for directional drilling in oil wells to avoid high costs and save time spent in the area. It also reduces the surface disturbance, therefore less cost to restore it after the project.
Construction truck equipment fixing is a complex task that may need professionals. The best way to minimize the maintenance cost is to ensure your equipment works per the manufacturer’s guidelines. Always study the sites and the project type to determine how you’ll maintain the equipment. And after large projects, carry out major maintenance to replace all damaged parts.