As you prep the paving train for season startup and a successful 2024 paving season, take a look at a piece of equipment that every project needs these days: the skid steer. If you’ve allowed this machine to get caked with material, or if you “forget” to grease vital pinch points, you can bet you’ll have less efficiency on upcoming jobs.
Start with greasing. The general laborer who is assigned to run the skid steer should take responsibility for keeping up with its greasing schedule. Thanks to telematics and a variety of software/tracking programs these days, this worker can have an app “ping” him with the schedule rather than using his brain to remember.
Double-check the machine hour meter also. While some systems make a distinction between on time, working time and idle time, not all of them do. You’ll want to perform specific maintenance tasks based on actual time worked.
On the job, during the morning walk-around, make sure hydraulic fluid is leveled off. Also check to make sure it’s clean. You don’t want metal flakes or dirt gumming up the system. If the fluid is compromised, schedule to have it changed.
Also, during the construction season, stay on top of routine care. Crews need to put time into preventive maintenance. The managers who incentivize good maintenance are the managers who have reliable uptime and consistent production. If the crewmembers take the time to wipe down pinch points and hydraulic cylinders on the skid steer at the end of the shift—whether an app tells them to do it or not—they’re keeping material buildup from hindering efficiency and production tomorrow. Fifteen minutes at the end of the workday saves an hour or two during critical production time tomorrow.
We all understand this concept. You can instill the best practices in your crewmembers by starting with equipment that’s in its best condition going into the 2024 season.
Subscribe now to receive tips like this directly to your inbox each week!