Preventive maintenance clinics ensure your equipment is calibrated for best performance

Preventive maintenance

Preventive maintenance clinics ensure your equipment is calibrated to optimum levels for high production

Chris Wasik, Director, Life Cycle Solutions, Komatsu
Chris Wasik, Director, Life Cycle Solutions, Komatsu

Many factors impact your equipment’s productivity and health, including ambient temperatures, the operating environment, operator habits, regular maintenance, the quality of fluids and filters, and working applications.

Ignoring any of these can accelerate component wear and cause costly, unexpected failures as well as unplanned, extended downtime. Overall performance and operating efficiency can also be affected when pressures and speeds cause longer cycle times. A heavier burden on mechanical systems drives up fuel burn rates too.

A thorough preventive maintenance (PM) clinic provides a detailed inspection of your equipment, including a look inside to measure pump pressure, engine speeds, blowby, idle and cycle times, oil quality, internal component wear, and more.

A man using an iPad in front of a Komatsu machine during a preventative maintenance clinic
A preventive maintenance (PM) clinic provides a detailed inspection of your equipment. Measurements are compared to Komatsu’s recommended operating ranges and can usually be calibrated to optimum levels for better machine performance.

Minimize downtime

“The United States Department of Energy estimates a good proactive preventive maintenance program paired with thorough machine recalibration and inspection, such as a PM clinic, can significantly save operations and maintenance costs compared to a reactive approach during a machine’s life,” said Chris Wasik, Director, Life Cycle Solutions, Komatsu.

When pressures or speeds deteriorate beyond adjustable ranges, planned replacement strategies for key parts or components can bring the machine back to a nearly new level of performance as well as minimize repair costs and downtime, according to Wasik. Measurements taken are compared to Komatsu’s recommended operating ranges and can usually be calibrated to optimum levels for better machine performance.

“For a more detailed list of system measurements and checks performed during a standard PM clinic, consult your specific machine’s shop manual,” Wasik advised. “Check with your Komatsu distributor or dealer for specials and incentives when they conduct a PM clinic on your Komatsu equipment.”

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