Unsurprisingly, the demands and needs of every business are different from one another. Some entrepreneurs can run a brand without a physical store, while others need space for storing their inventory and equipment. You can readily find warehouses for securing inventory, but keeping heavy equipment and machinery possessions like a custom forge is no easy feat. Business owners have to find a safe and spacious location while ensuring the rent charges don’t cost an arm.
Whether it is sailing, construction, or a boating company – people spend significant amounts of money to acquire their assets. Therefore, you have to keep the equipment in perfect condition to protect the business’s financial investment. Perform regular cleaning during field operations, record fluid levels, and periodic document refills to detect operational problems.
Like automobile engines, motors in boats and heavy machinery require regular greasing and oiling. Thus, you have to spend time on their maintenance to ensure proper functioning. If you are a new owner facing trouble in managing equipment, have a look below. Here are six ways to safeguard heavy equipment and possessions.
1. Find A Storage Unit
Usually, businesses store machinery, vehicles, and equipment in open spaces, but it is not safe. It impacts the equipment’s durability as excessive sun exposure can have a drastic impact on functionality. So, why not look for a storage facility? It offers enormous warehouses where you can safely store all heavy equipment. Likewise, if you need space for boats or kayaks in Miami or Orlando, find covered boat storage in Florida to close doors for damages.
Do you know the best part? You can access these units 24/7, which means your equipment, boat, and machinery will be accessible during the odd hours. They also have excellent indoor and outdoor lighting with security cameras and alarms, eliminating the risk of theft. Moreover, they offer digital surveillance, letting owners keep a check on their equipment.
2. Regularly Inspect Equipment
Undoubtedly, malfunctioning in heavy equipment can cause more damage than one can imagine. Hence, visually inspect the equipment and machinery before each use to ensure it is in excellent condition. If you have a vehicle or boat, check the tires and tracks for wear and tear or damage. Similarly, keep tabs on the hydraulic fluid and engine oil before you start the machine. All these things ensure that your equipment is working correctly and safe to use. Besides, don’t forget to check the hydraulic hoses, booms, and buckets for potential cracks and leakages.
3. Create Situational Awareness
You might be taking every precautionary measure to safeguard the equipment, but what if your employees are unfamiliar with usage protocols? Before anything else, train employees on how to use heavy equipment. Also, teach them to spot signs that indicate the machine is out of alignment. Once your staff understands and demonstrates safe behavior, create some situational awareness.
Emphasize specific situations to ensure workers know when equipment requires particular treatment. For instance, if you operate in the boating industry, it is crucial to teach sailors how to keep the boat afloat on heavy tides. It lessens the risk of damage, injuries, and heavy wear and tear.
4. Install Security Alarms
Heavy equipment, machinery, and vehicles are costly. At times, businesses have to invest their entire capital to purchase these assets. Thus, security should be your utmost priority. You can install a security alarm into the outboard motor. It will give you remote access to the equipment, letting you check locks.
Similarly, it will notify you of potential fire, gas problems, and other emergencies. Moreover, you can place an anti-theft or tracking device to keep a close eye on the vehicle. In case it gets stolen, the GPS can trace its location within seconds.
5. Perform Regular & Preventative Maintenance
Unsurprisingly, your job doesn’t end after buying heavy machinery or equipment. You have to devise a maintenance schedule for repairing and changing the worn-out parts. Begin with preventative maintenance to ensure smooth functioning. It involves oil changes, pressure checks, and deep cleansing of the machinery or vehicle. Similarly, you have to check for sputtering electronics, water damage, and cracks from bearing loads and contamination in belts.
Preventative maintenance reduces the chances of reactive maintenance that occurs when the machinery fails. Moreover, make sure the equipment is not overworking because it can strain the main components, reducing its longevity.
6. Cover The Vulnerable Parts
When it comes to storing heavy equipment, vehicles, and machinery, you have to limit their weather exposure. Although you might be keeping it in a secure area, cover the vulnerable parts to eliminate any risk of damage. Firstly, protect the tank and line with insulation measures, especially in winters. If your equipment consumes fuel, lock the fuel box to prevent theft. You can also fix a deadbolt type lock to prevent entry to your vessel’s cabin. Besides this, dig into the owner’s manual for further guidance on which parts to cover while storing the equipment.
Conclusion
Working with heavy equipment and machinery is not an easy feat. In addition to ensuring on-site safety, owners have to secure them at a safe location. After all, no one can afford to risk expensive equipment and vehicles. You have to ensure the machinery is in top-notch condition with optimal productivity levels. Similarly, have regular maintenance sessions for your possession to detect potential problems beforehand. If you follow these guidelines, your heavy machinery and equipment will last longer and stay protected.
