AsphaltPro has shared the most important items mechanics need to have in the maintenance truck for making emergency trips to the jobsite for those unplanned downtime moments. Right now, you may still be in the off-season where you’re located. Do you know what all your mechanic must have in the garage to perform winter maintenance projects without interruption? You’ve got a finite amount of time before spring startup; let’s make sure the mechanics have the tools to use their—and your—hours wisely.
Many companies must cut back on fulltime employees during the off-season, so one of the first aspects of off-season maintenance and repairs to consider is the workforce in your garage. Do you have the right personnel on hand to physically do the jobs in the 8-hour shifts you put on the schedule? Overtime isn’t the norm during the off-season, so check on the mechanic in charge to ensure you’ve given him or her the people they need to accomplish everything before spring start-up.
Besides the obvious grease guns and crescent wrenches, your mechanics will need spare parts depending on what equipment is in your fleet. If you have full size rollers, you’ll want nozzles for their water spray bars. If you have a highway class paver, you may want a spare heating element for the screed. Some spare parts are a bit pricy to keep on the shelf until you know it’s time for replacement, and that’s the beauty of winter downtime and planned maintenance. Make sure you’ve given your mechanics all the tools and parts they need for optimum work schedules.