Great for Man and Machine: 5 Benefits of Keeping Heavy Equipment Clean

Everyone’s heard the phrase “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” No one hears this old saying and translates it as legitimate medical advice that an apple diet ensures good health. People understand that it’s a call to preventive care: Take care of your body by eating healthy. You should be applying this same mindset to your heavy equipment. The job site really does a job on your heavy machinery, exposing it to dirt, grease, salt, and more. Keeping it clean is a vital part of preventive maintenance. Read on to discover five benefits of maintaining a clean fleet.

1. Clean Equipment = Less Downtime

One of the best parts of being a heavy equipment operator is that, at the end of a long day, you see tangible results of your hard work. This could be a cleared construction site ready for crews to lay the foundation, trenches ready for piping, or any of the myriad jobs accomplished using heavy equipment. Of course, at the end of that long day, your equipment also shows the results of your hard work. The dirt you see, however, is nothing compared to the dirt you don’t see. Your loaders, trenchers, and more pick up dirt and debris from the job site, thanks in part to the grease that keeps its parts moving. To keep those parts moving, you have to keep them clean. For example, buildup on electrical plugs quickly leads to short circuits, and that means downtime. When you aren’t working, you aren’t earning; that’s the nature of the business.

2. Prolong the Life of Your Equipment

Your heavy equipment fleet represents an enormous investment. Even if that “fleet” consists of a single machine, that single machine required a significant amount of capital. It’s in your best interest to protect that investment. Keeping it clean is a key component of that. It’s no secret that well-maintained equipment lasts longer. You know this; that’s why you regularly check your fluids and perform preventive maintenance. Incorporating power washing as part of your preventive maintenance routine eradicates the buildup of the grease and debris that interfere with efficient operation. When your equipment has to work harder, that takes a toll, shortening the life of your investment. Power washing your equipment improves its aesthetic value, as well. The same dirt, debris, and grease buildup negatively impacting your heavy equipment’s mechanics also does a number on its paint job.

3. Improved Safety

Poorly maintained equipment presents a safety hazard to your crew. Contaminant buildup leads to problems with your electrical and hydraulic systems, as well as other mechanical issues. Faulty, malfunctioning equipment presents a danger to your entire crew, from the operator to anyone working in the vicinity of the machine. Your mechanics are also safer working on clean equipment, since power washing knocks loose all matter of debris that otherwise hits your maintenance team.

4. Pride of Ownership

A clean, well-maintained heavy equipment fleet makes a statement to your clients (and prospective clients!) that yours is a professional organization. You’re demonstrating the pride you take in your team, in your company, and in the work you do. Consider also the impression you make on the job site, with the customer, the public, and even other contractors. They may not notice that your equipment is clean, but they’ll definitely notice equipment covered with mud, dirt, and grease.

5. It Pays to be Clean

There are a number of ways it pays to keep your heavy equipment clean, including:

• When your equipment is down for maintenance, it’s not making you money
• Dirty equipment breaks down more frequently, leading to costly repairs
• Dirty equipment presents a safety danger, increasing your danger of compensation claims

How Can Dakota Power Washing Help?