Concrete Equipment Downtime: Causes and Solutions

Did you know that concrete equipment downtime can spiral into numerous problems for a project? It can be the difference between a perfectly scheduled project and one that is overrun and over budget.

Therefore, finding a solution to prevent downtime is essential, whether it be preventative maintenance, predictive technology, or high-quality training.

Continue this article to discover the most common causes of downtime and the best solutions to keep your concrete equipment running reliably.

The Cost of Concrete Equipment Downtime

Project budgets and timelines are where you will see the biggest impact from downtime. Every hour that your machinery is out of commission, the project schedules extend, bringing overall delivery to a crawl. Additionally, the downtime will often lead to increased equipment rental costs and a total budget that overruns.

You also need to account for other costs, such as:

• Penalties for missing project deadlines
• repair costs
• replacement equipment.

The timeline delay will also strain your relationship with your client and negatively impact your chances of winning future contracts.

Common Downtime Causes

Here are some of the most common things that can lead to concrete equipment downtime.

• Equipment failures: This can occur due to wear and tear on key components, from heavy use of concrete pumps, mixers and batch plants.
• Poor maintenance practices: Skipping scheduled services increases the risk of faults. Neglecting a minor fault can lead to major faults down the line, requiring costly repairs. Additionally, not cleaning, lubricating and calibrating a piece of equipment adequately increases breakdown risk.
• User error: This is common if the operator has not received proper training. Typical mistakes often include overloading the equipment’s capacity and ignoring warning signals and basic maintenance such as checking oil and water levels. Utranazz provides certified operator training on all equipment supplied to ensure users get the most out of their equipment.
• Harsh conditions: Dust and debris can clog filters, water can damage electrical components, harsh terrains can cause damage to chassis, tyres, steering and suspension; and extreme weather conditions can strain engines and hydraulics.

The Best Solutions to Reduce Concrete Equipment Downtime

Using these strategies will encourage reduced downtime and keep costs and timescales in line.

• Consistent maintenance schedules: Regular inspections and a detailed service log help identify faults and prevent them from escalating. Also, regularly calibrating and lubricating equipment can extend its life.
• Predictive maintenance technology: IoT (Internet of Things) monitoring and sensors can prevent unexpected breakdowns and potential failures by detecting faults and wear and tear early.
• Increased focus on training: Hands-on training can provide operators with the knowledge to identify warning signs, conduct daily checks, and use critical equipment reliably. For example, knowing how to operate a concrete pump correctly in hot weather can prevent concrete blockages in pipes.
• Improved supply chain efficiency: Maintaining a well-managed inventory of spare parts and partnering with reliable suppliers will increase supply chain reliability and efficiency. Utranazz keeps a good stock of all essential parts for every machine we supply to ensure we keep your equipment working. We also have a team of mobile engineers on 24 hour callout.
• Increased environmental protection: Effective project planning can help you avoid periods of extreme weather. Additionally, using a protective cover on equipment will help protect it from rain and dust.

The Importance of Tackling Concrete Equipment Downtime

Implementing measures to combat and prevent concrete equipment downtime will have a significant impact on project timelines and budgets.

Optimising maintenance activities and refining training for operators will help equipment run smoothly and help identify faults and wear and tear before they become a problem for the project.

How Utranazz Supports Downtime Reduction

At Utranazz, we offer 24/7 customer support for all of our new, hire and stock equipment, including next-day spare parts delivery, a 24-hour helpline, 7-day-a-week maintenance teams, mobile engineers on 24 hour callout and options for servicing.

Please get in touch online or call us on 01280 820 770 to discuss your support needs.