Heavy equipment has revolutionized the way we construct buildings, roads, bridges, and more. It wasn't all that long ago that buildings couldn't be built all that tall because we didn't have the tools to do so, buildings took a lot longer to build, and more buildings were structurally unsound due to construction limitations. Nowadays, with the advent and ubiquitous use of heavy machinery, construction projects are done quickly, buildings are much safer, and we can build taller buildings. However, like all types of machinery and human-made inventions, even heavy equipment wears out over time. Wagner Used Equipment is a Cat dealer with locations throughout Colorado, New Mexico, and west Texas. We've been helping customers with their new and used heavy construction equipment since 1976, including providing heavy equipment rentals. Our mission is to be an all-in-one heavy equipment store for your needs. Below, we'll offer up tips to maintain your heavy equipment so that it lasts a long time. Contact us today!

HEAVY EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE TIPS

Invest in Regular Heavy Equipment Maintenance

Heavy machinery need regular checkups and additives in order to run efficiently and smoothly and to avoid damage to their internal component parts. Preventative maintenance such as checking the fluid levels, the air in the tires, and checking for any leaks in fluid lines should be done on a regular basis. Routine maintenance that is done on a relatively consistent basis, such as oil changes or new brakes, should also be scheduled. Proper storage is vital as well to keeping your piece of used heavy equipment in top-notch shape. Since heavy machinery is made largely out of metal, being exposed to the elements can eventually cause rust and wear and tear, which can cause problems down the road. If your machine is around a lot of dust, this can get into the inner workings of your heavy machinery and cause trouble as well. By regularly inspecting and scheduling your piece of heavy equipment for maintenance, you can help promote the longevity of your heavy machinery. Wagner Used Equipment offers field service technicians who can come to your place and help you not only troubleshoot any repairs you might need, but also help you with regular heavy equipment maintenance needs. Call today!

Recognize & Adhere To Performance Limits

Each piece of heavy equipment offered by a Caterpillar dealer has a different use, purpose, function, and load limit. It's important to stay within these guidelines when you are using your used heavy equipment in order to ensure it doesn't break, overheat, or a myriad of other problems that can occur. For example, a small excavator is not equipped to move the loads that a large excavator can, and attempting to do so can stress your heavy equipment to the point of failure and damage, which can shorten its longevity. Therefore, Wagner Used Equipment recommends that you always monitor load usage, torque limits, speed, and more when operating heavy machinery. If you have any questions about what work your piece of heavy equipment can handle, please ask a knowledgeable and friendly sales associate. They can answer all of your questions and advise you on your heavy machinery's use.

Ensure Operator Knowledge

Many pieces of heavy machinery have met their demise due to operator inexperience, such as being rolled or flipped or being used in such a way that causes major repairs. Operators can also be rushed and skip safety protocol when the job is behind that could cause injury or harm to the machine. One of these is skipping scheduled maintenance and not inspecting the machine for any type of damage that could cause an accident. Training in the use of used heavy equipment is critical to the protection of both your machinery and your staff. Wagner Used Equipment recommends that training should always be on-going, and operators should be taught to follow all operation protocols. Talking on cell phones should never be allowed and especially texting or any other kind of distraction while operating heavy equipment. Another common hazard we see is operators running into things, such as trees, buildings, road signs, and the like, which can cause major damage as well.

Clean & Lubricate Your Heavy Machinery

Undoubtedly you have visited other businesses or machine shops and noticed that their heavy equipment is covered in dirt, dust, and grime. Soot and dirt, as well as debris, can clog filters and seals, cause wear and tear on gears, cause cooling fans to quit working, and more. Wagner Used Equipment Co wants to warn you to be especially leery of sand, which can wear down the inner components of your machinery, leading to the need for replacement parts. Thus, simply by giving your heavy machinery a bath now and then can drastically cut this risk. Be sure to invest in special cleaners to remove those fluids that won't come off with water, such as grease or grime. Checking your lubricants should be a part of your daily maintenance protocol. Fluids are so important to the operation and performance of your heavy machinery since they reduce the friction when these parts come into contact with one another, and thus, they reduce the wear and tear. When checking your lubricants, Wagner Used Equipment recommends that you always use the prescribed lubricant for your machine, check for excessive oil or grease build-up, and ensure you are using enough lubricant, but not too much to cause performance issues. Our stellar team can help you with your heavy machinery cleaning and lubricant questions. Contact us today!

Understand Your Piece of Heavy Machinery Thoroughly

If you truly want a piece of Cat machinery that will last for decades, you'll have to know your individual piece of equipment inside and out. The best way to do so is to be the one to inspect your heavy machinery, operate your piece of heavy machinery, and notate its quirks (if any). While you may not be a mechanic naturally, you should know the basics of how your piece of heavy equipment works so that you can recognize when something goes wrong. You should also know a little bit of preventative maintenance so that you can help troubleshoot if the need arises and perform basic services, such as filling up fluids, checking air pressure in your tires, and the like. You'd be surprised how simply laying eyeballs on your piece of heavy equipment can show you a potential problem that you can easily avoid, such as an electrical wire out of place, a worn belt, or a misaligned wheel shaft. Wagner Used Equipment offers our Wagner Training Institute to those interested in learning how to care for their Cat machinery themselves. You will be taught by certified Cat instructors using real Caterpillar engines and equipment, including compact construction equipment and our gas engine lab. This is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge of how your piece of heavy equipment operates. You should also keep a detailed record of your heavy machine's service history, such as when preventative maintenance was done and when you had a major repair done. This is important for any future warranty claims and if you wish to sell your piece of heavy equipment to the future. This shows how well your heavy machine was taken care of, which can yield a higher price.

CHOOSE WAGNER USED EQUIPMENT AS YOUR HEAVY EQUIPMENT DEALER OF CHOICE

With Wagner Used Equipment Co, you can rest assured that any piece of used heavy equipment you get from us has been inspected and the maintenance reports will be on-hand. We take care of all our own heavy equipment rentals to ensure they will run properly for you when you rent from us. We pride ourselves on our service and on our Cat Parts Store in order to keep your heavy equipment operating at its peak. We offer every piece of heavy equipment you may need in order to operate your construction, demolition, paving, landscaping, or material handlings business. Wagner aims to be your one-stop-shop for all your heavy equipment and accessories needs. With dealer locations throughout Colorado, New Mexico, and west Texas, we can serve you no matter where you are at. We employ over 230 field service technicians who can come out to your location and fix your used heavy equipment. We offer heavy equipment rental, and new and used heavy machinery. We offer power systems, including diesel and natural gas engines for electrical generation, industrial applications, temperature control systems, and power generation equipment. We offer both new and used power systems as well. There's not a lot that Wagner Used Equipment Co does not offer. We've been helping our customers since 1976 have access to the best heavy equipment available at affordable prices. We offer financing for those who qualify and an easy payment process through our online portal. With our fluid analysis service and our machine control systems offered via our partner, SITECH Rocky Mountain, we have everything you need to run an efficient and affordable business. Contact our team at any one of our Cat dealers to learn more!