Masonry Magazine December 2005 Page. 16
Staying UP and Running
PROVEN METHODS FOR KEEPING EQUIPMENT ON THE JOB SITE AND OUT OF THE SHOP
Few things are more aggravating for mason contractors than equipment breakdowns. They hold up production, jeopardize deadlines and cost money. "A machine down stops the crew and can cost thousands of dollars a day," says Joel Guth, CEO of Masonry Technology in Moreno Valley, Calif. "Then you might have to eat up more time going to get a rental."
When breakdowns could have been easily prevented, they're even more frustrating. That's why successful contractors don't wait for their equipment to fail before making repairs. They institute preventative maintenance and inspections programs that detect problems before they occur.
"If you buy good equipment and maintain it the way you're supposed to, it will last longer," Guth points out. "We have rebuilt mixers that are still running fine after 12 years."
Heading Off Trouble
ASK MASON CONTRACTORS the secret to keeping equipment up and running and they'll cite the same formula - comprehensive maintenance coupled with regular visual inspections.
"Preventative maintenance will prolong the life of the machine more than anything," says Michael B. Adams, president of WEB Equipment, a Fredericksburg, Va-based company that services more than 200 forklifts. "Not providing the maintenance is the number one reason why they suffer a breakdown."