How to maintain your plant equipment

Perhaps you’ve just purchased some plant machinery, or you might already own equipment. Whatever the case, looking after heavy-duty machinery properly is the most important thing to remember after making the investment. If you’re wondering why it’s so important, then a recent report by HSE makes it clearer than ever. It says that the construction industry is one of the most accident-prone environments to work. The construction industry can be fatal, and if large and heavy machinery isn’t regularly checked and maintained, it can pose a real threat to those using it.

Here at Postpullers, we’ve been in the plant industry for over 30 years. Having dealt with all kinds of heavy-duty kit over the years, we’ve seen how best to care for it to keep it lasting as long as possible, and in good and safe working order. Whether you’re a new machine owner or a seasoned expert with a fleet in your yard, we’re here to remind you of some top tips for keeping your plant equipment in top condition.

Get to know your kit

The first step to looking after your kit properly is to properly get to know your machine and its parts. At Postpullers, we provide a Manual with each of our machines, which thoroughly breaks down how each part works. Having a good knowledge of your plant equipment means that you’ll be able to spot malfunctions more quickly. Sticking to our Manual also means you’ll know what to look out for and which parts of the machine you should be regularly checking.

Inspect regularly

Every time you use your kit, you should conduct visual checks to assess whether there is any damage. Keep an eye out for wear and tear, and whether there are any parts of your equipment that are loose or broken. We recommend getting into a good habit of conducting these checks before each use, as well as monthly and annually. With any piece of plant equipment, it’s handy to keep a maintenance logbook, so you can keep track of your maintenance checks and stay consistent.

Keep it clean

It’s no surprise that plant equipment tends to get dirty. Whether you’re working on a construction site, a farm, or a domestic garden, it’s highly likely that your kit is going to accumulate dirt, dust and grime. This can become a problem when pieces of debris build up within parts of your equipment and can cause damage further down the line by lodging in important parts like hinges or tracks. Make sure to keep your kit clean – we make it easy for you at Postpullers by designing our Fence Masters bright yellow!

Replace damaged parts

If any parts of your plant equipment are damaged or broken, it’s vital that you replace them immediately. Using a machine that has faulty parts can be highly dangerous, posing a risk to anyone who uses it as well as other people on site. If you notice any broken parts, do not use the machine, and contact your parts provider to arrange replacement or repair. At Postpullers, we strongly recommend only replacing broken parts of our machines with genuine Postpullers parts. Get in touch and we will gladly come out and do a repair.

Store it well

An important part of looking after your plant machinery is to store it in an appropriate place. It’s advisable to keep your kit stored indoors, or undercover, to protect it from the elements like dampness and rain. This will help to improve the lifespan of your machine by reducing wear. If you’re storing your kit outdoors, taking steps to protect it from theft or damage is also wise – like surrounding your premises by fencing.

Why’s it important to us at Postpullers?

At Postpullers, we design our machines with safety at the forefront. For example, Barrier Master directs all force into the ground during post extraction, meaning there is no danger of ejected parts. But designing machines properly is only the beginning. It’s crucial to ensure that you regularly maintain your machine to minimise health and safety risk, and also to extend its lifespan. We really care about plant equipment that is safe and durable. Well-cared for equipment can last for years – we’ve had customers who purchased Fence Master 10 years ago, and it’s still working perfectly!

For more information about any of our plant equipment (like Fence Master or Barrier Master), get in touch with us today – we’ll be happy to help.