How to Reduce Downtime on Site

Overview:

Downtime can grind productivity to a halt, especially when equipment is central to your workflow. Proactive planning and preventive maintenance are key to keeping your site moving.

1. Schedule Preventive Maintenance:

Create a maintenance calendar based on manufacturer guidelines and usage frequency. It’s better to take a machine offline briefly for servicing than to suffer an unexpected failure.

2. Conduct Pre-Use and Post-Use Inspections:

Train your crew to perform quick but thorough walkarounds before and after every use. Check for leaks, loose parts, and wear on hydraulic lines.

3. Operator Training:

Even basic machines require knowledgeable handling. Misuse due to lack of training is one of the biggest causes of avoidable downtime. Run refresher sessions regularly.

4. Build in Redundancies:

If your project is time-sensitive, budget for a spare machine or have a rapid replacement agreement in place. Acumen’s clients benefit from fast machine swaps in the event of a breakdown.

Pro tip:

Discuss service response times and uptime guarantees before renting — it can make or break your schedule.