Construction Equipment Management: 4 Best Practices

When it comes to construction jobs, having the right heavy equipment is always key, as it can impact the project’s budget, timelines, and execution, among other factors.

However, aside from just having the right equipment, it is also crucial to follow the right equipment management practices to ensure that things run smoothly. Construction equipment management is the process of directing and controlling construction machinery as well as maintaining and scheduling job site tools.

When construction equipment management is done properly, it promotes productivity by ensuring that the right equipment is in the right place and in the right condition at the right time. However, this must involve ongoing work as most construction companies’ equipment needs constantly fluctuate.

Without proper construction equipment management, there is a higher chance for a construction company to experience equipment breakdowns and failures, which, in turn, runs projects over budget, stalls productivity, and decreases profitability.

For these reasons, it is absolutely crucial that construction equipment management practices are always followed and prioritized by every construction company, no matter how big or small.

What are some of the best construction equipment management practices?

Construction equipment management is a multi-faceted process with many different elements and steps. However, there are certain practices within such management that are more crucial than others.

The following are some of the most essential construction equipment management practices that every construction company should prioritize:

1. Create a system for equipment pick-ups and returns

Equipment management can get especially complicated when you are responsible for the allocation and scheduling of heavy machinery at multiple job sites. Even if you are only managing the equipment being used at a single site, it is necessary to have a solid grasp of the machinery and attachments in use and how to store them. The best way to do this is with an effective system for checking equipment in and out.

Although some construction equipment managers use spreadsheets, there is software specifically designed for this purpose that makes it easier to keep track of all the machinery. With a centralized database that can be updated and monitored at all times, you can instantly see when equipment is checked in or out in real time.

Understanding what equipment and attachments are available or not will make it possible to create logistics plans and assign and transport various machinery based on its location. Thus, you can speed up asset delivery and finish more projects on time or even ahead of schedule.

2. Provide proper training for equipment operators

It is impossible for an equipment or fleet manager to be everywhere all at once, especially when there are multiple job sites to oversee. This is why it is essential to have a properly trained team of equipment operators.

Handing over a machine’s keys to someone who has not been properly trained is a recipe for disaster and should never be done for both legal and safety reasons. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you have a solid employee equipment training program so that your operators know exactly how to handle any type of heavy machinery they will use.

An adequate equipment training program should teach operators how to use heavy machinery properly, which safety procedures to follow, and how to properly store such items after using them.

Not only will correctly training your employees help minimize on-site accidents, but it will also maximize the lifespan and ROI of your equipment, as its proper use can positively and significantly impact such factors. The best training programs are hands-on, as your operators will learn more by actually using the machines in a safe and secure setting.

3. Understand your equipment’s capacity

Since each piece of construction equipment is designed for specific uses and has certain limitations, it is important to maintain an ongoing understanding of its capacities and to ensure this knowledge is passed on to all operators. If equipment is overloaded or improperly applied, this can lead to expensive repairs and downtime.

Not only should you have a solid understanding of which equipment is suitable for a particular job, but you should always know which attachments are best suited for specific tasks. This will ensure that you send the exact equipment that is needed for the project.

4. Schedule routine maintenance

Another essential task for construction equipment managers is maintaining optimal performance. This includes scheduling and following up on preventative maintenance measures to increase longevity, maintain productivity, and save time and money by minimizing equipment breakdowns.

For effective preventative maintenance, it is vital to establish a routine that involves daily inspections carried out by equipment operators as well as regular inspections and testing.

With this kind of routine in place, it will be easy to identify problems, such as improper grease fittings, worn treads and tracks, tire pressure issues, or changes in fluid levels. Reminders for these checkups can also be managed through equipment management software to simplify things even further.

How Great West Equipment Can Boost Your Construction Equipment Management Practices

Purchasing new heavy equipment and maintaining existing equipment are both crucial elements of proper management practices. Fortunately, Great West Equipment is very experienced with such practices.

We understand that every job site is different and, therefore, has differing needs. We can thus provide the required versatile solutions thanks to our extensive inventory of heavy equipment and our team of experts who are standing by at all times.

Whether you are searching for new or used equipment, we are guaranteed to have exactly what you require. We will gladly offer guidance when needed to ensure you get the equipment that will best suit your job.

We also offer extensive services related to equipment maintenance and repairs. We can provide a maintenance support agreement to minimize your equipment’s downtime while helping you control costs and keep your machinery in top condition.

We even have a 24/7/365 machine monitoring and fleet utilization reporting service (that we offer together with Volvo) to keep you aware of how your fleet is performing and alert you of when corrective actions are necessary.

Plus, if you ever require more serious repairs, we can help with that as well. Our technicians have the skills and knowledge to get your machines back up and running quickly, no matter what make or model they are.

​​For more information about our extensive inventory of new and used construction equipment or to learn more about the various services that we offer, call Great West Equipment at 1-833-730-0613 or contact us here.