Intermediate Equipment Handbook
Intech Associates
planned (preventive) maintenance is carried out according to manufacturers’
recommendations.
Major overhauls can extend these initial life periods, however the cost of a
complete overhaul can approach the costs of a replacement model for heavy
equipment, without the benefit of the new machine warranties.
It is of particular interest that for some popular makes and models of agricultural
tractor there is a thriving ‘remanufacturing’ industry. The costs are usually
substantially below the price of current new models. These companies usually
offer warranties on their rebuilt models. Details of some suppliers are contained
in Appendix 1.
Working life also depends crucially on the quality of operators, and timeliness
and quality of maintenance and mechanical support. This can be a crucial factor
for a remote, ill equipped, workshop facility. Some contractors and authorities do
not have properly equipped workshop facilities, or trained and motivated
operators and mechanics. This will certainly substantially reduce the economic
lives of their equipment. Some repairs and certain maintenance of modern
equipment require expensive instruments with workshops operating under
‘laboratory’ standards.
Poor operator skills or behaviour and accidents can seriously reduce equipment
economic life. Operator training, appropriate motivation and close supervision
can be justified considering the equipment investment value and consequences
of misuse.
The preventive maintenance of all equipment is essential for longevity. However,
it should be noted that any vibrating equipment used in compaction requires
particular attention. Basic physics dictates that anything vibrating involves
unbalanced forces which are working to the detriment of the equipment. It is
essential that the manufacturer’s preventive maintenance regime is properly
followed.
The factors influencing economic life are listed in Figure 1.1. Economic life
figures quoted by equipment agents can be derived from those provided by
manufacturers, based on ideal conditions; they can be very different from the
reality of remote site conditions in a developing country environment.
Obsolescence is also an important factor. Spares become increasingly difficult to
obtain once a model is no longer in production. For models with a low population
in-country this can rapidly become a serious matter as agents will have little
interest in stocking spares items (every spare on the shelf is capital tied up).
Although a piece of equipment may have been little used it may need to be
scrapped or disposed of due to lack of some important spares. It only takes ONE
essential part to be non-functioning and the whole machine is immobilised.
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