As key components to the success of your dock operations, loading dock levelers and vehicle restraints are among the most important pieces of equipment to monitor. As the frontline of your facility’s operations, not only do properly functioning levelers and restraints protect your building, but these essential components directly affect the safety of your valuable inventory, staff, and vehicles.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Every Planned Maintenance Program (PMP) should include routine inspections, service, and repairs for these important systems. Of course, maintaining these components and preventing issues is only possible once you know what to look for. To simplify the process, take a look at these helpful tips to update your maintenance program and prepare your facility for long-term success.
Prioritize Routine Inspection Practices
The easiest way to prevent small issues from snowballing into excessive expenses begins with better facility vigilance. Obvious indicators such as rusting components, broken parts, or blockages are easily identified with a quick visual inspection. For example, a rock lodged within the vehicle restraint system can lead to costly facility or trailer damage; problems like this are easily avoided with only a few minutes of your company’s time.
Make Equipment Cleaning & Lubrication a Habit
Maintaining equipment that’s free of residue, moisture, and dirt is another simple way to prevent costlier repairs and replacements. Before applying lubrication to your levelers or restraints, carefully clean the surfaces with an approved cleaning product to remove grime and debris. Once the components are completely clean and dry, the addition of a quality lubricant will prevent premature wear and tear while establishing dirt and moisture-blocking barrier that prevents rust, corrosion, and compromised functionality.
Maintain Organized Service Records
Along with your new and improved inspection, cleaning, and lubrication habits, be sure to track every service with detailed information. While performing the above services, included information like date, relevant service details, and other important notes will improve the processes when another staff member performs the same tasks later on. For example, if your staff notices rust formation on an exterior component, quality service records will serve as a valuable reminder to double-check that the component is properly lubricated come service time.
Intermittent Testing Prevents Avoidable Consequences
While visual inspections and routine maintenance prevent the majority of facility issues, there is no better reassurance than quality-controlled testing. Ideally, equipment should be tested every time an inspection is performed and is especially important to perform if you are operating facility equipment that is used infrequently. A few minutes of testing time can translate into thousands of dollars in savings by preventing a faulty piece of equipment from damaging expensive loading equipment or a supplier’s trailer.
Develop a Professional Maintenance Plan With Our Experts
Our certified technicians are well-equipped to install, maintain, and repair all of your loading dock essentials. Contact our specialists at Stokes Equipment and we’ll help you develop a quality maintenance program, provide straightforward equipment education, and proactively protect your budget with a commitment to cost-effective and responsive service.
