The troubleshooting process of failed equipment

Whenever heavy equipment breaks down or fails, troubleshooting is customarily done to determine the cause of the problem and the necessary corrective measure. An ideal troubleshooting process usually identifies the problem and corrects it as fast as possible. Despite different steps taken by different engineers in determining issues, troubleshooting should follow some basic guidelines. Here are the general steps of troubleshooting machinery.

Symptom recognition

It involves the verification of the existence of the problem by inspecting various systems of the equipment. The operator of the machinery should be present during symptom recognition because they have the first-hand and most vital information about the breakdown.

Isolating the problem to the root cause

The inspecting engineer should then be able to narrow down the issue to the exact root cause. This step of troubleshooting requires intuition, knowledge, and skills where various tests are done, and readings are taken. Equipment manuals and logs are vital sources of information where troubleshooting guidelines can be obtained.

The actual repair

This involves taking the corrective measure that rectifies and eliminates the issue that caused the breakdown. Some companies can rent or buy new or used equipment as replacements instead of repairs. The repair process should not be limited to fixing the affected component only but instead, aim at eliminating the root cause of the problem.

Testing if the problem is solved

The testing process aims to verify that the problem has been corrected before the equipment is cleared for return to active operation. The test involves a thorough inspection of all replaced components. Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that the rectification did not cover or mask other problems that may eventually lead to similar or different machinery failure. The comprehensive inspection involves checking equipment gauges and the general operations linked to the repaired element or system. The test can be done according to approved procedures and recommendations from the manufacturer.

Conducting a follow-up

The last step of troubleshooting, which is commonly ignored by many heavy equipment owners, is conducting a follow-up to prevent similar breakdowns in the future. The step entails many actions that are mainly precautionary. A follow-up can include changing your component supplier or service provider, training equipment operators, and modifying procedures of using the equipment for improved performance.

Heavy equipment only offers efficient services when they are adequately inspected, maintained, and serviced regularly. Our dedicated team will provide you with inspection, repair, and maintenance services that will ensure you operate your equipment safely and in top condition. Contact us today for more information about these and other services.