As it is with most occupations, quality equipment can significantly boost productivity, increase the quality of work done and best of all, increase profits. With affordable options such as payment plans and leasing, it only makes sense for a company to invest in labor-saving machines to make the most out of one’s workforce. All too often however, after a few months many machines start to show wear and slowly become less effective due to use and abuse. If ignored, these small inefficiencies can quickly turn into costly repairs. Rather than wait until your equipment breaks down, it’s a great idea to implement a preventative maintenance plan for all of your powered equipment.

This involves creating a predetermined schedule to have your machines gone over by a certified technician a few times a year. This practice assures that your equipment is operating as intended, maximizing your return on the investment as well as catching potential problems before they happen. Not only does this cost much less than waiting for major repairs, it also prevents any downtime that occurs during a break-down that can cost you precious time and resources.

Establishing a preventative maintenance plan is as easy as asking yourself a few questions:

• Where do we have our machines serviced?
• Which machines require preventative maintenance?
• How often should we send in each machine?
• What type of budget is necessary to keep these machines running?

Honest answers to these questions will put you on track to having effective equipment at all times. It is also a great idea to identify tasks that your staff can do such as cleaning or replacing filters, regularly refilling acid-water batteries, wiping down squeegees, etc.. Make sure to put these on a schedule as well, along with who is responsible for each task. With minimal effort you can rest easy knowing that your investments are providing a consistent return.