In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the top eight reasons why construction businesses should consider investing in fleet management software. Whether you're a small construction company or a large operation with multiple fleets, this post will provide valuable insights into the benefits of fleet management software and why it is worth considering for your business.
Importance of Construction Management
Heavy equipment maintenance is essential to keeping your machines operating efficiently and safely. Without regular maintenance, a piece of equipment could break down unexpectedly, causing downtime and expensive repairs.
Maintaining your machines helps protect against costly repairs and reduce idle time. For example, if your loader breaks down while working in the field, you'll want to make sure that it doesn't happen again. If you're not careful, you might end up spending thousands of dollars fixing it yourself.
With a fleet management system like Simply Fleet, you no longer have to worry about remembering scheduled maintenance dates. Just set up a recurring maintenance plan for any type of machine. Then, you can easily view all the jobs you've completed on each machine in one convenient location. Plus, you can even schedule future appointments directly from within the app.
Simply Fleet makes scheduling maintenance simple. Simply choose the date and time that works best for your operation, and the app will automatically notify you when it's time for your next job.
1. Identify faults in Machines on time
Regular inspections and maintenance will help ensure that your machines are running smoothly and efficiently. This includes checking all parts of the machinery to make sure it is operating properly. You should check the condition of your equipment every month, and perform regular maintenance checks once per quarter.
The best way to ensure that your equipment works correctly is to inspect it regularly. You don’t want to wait until there is a problem to find out that something isn’t operating properly. Early detection reduces operating costs and repair costs. An inspection schedule can help you identify problems early on, allowing you to take action sooner rather than later.
2. Reduce safety issues
According to a study conducted over 4 million miles driven by drivers across North America, it was found that there are many reasons why fleets lose money due to poor driver behaviors.
Driver behavior monitoring helps fleet managers reduce accidents and improve fuel efficiency. In addition, it allows fleet managers to identify unsafe or dangerous driving habits such as speeding, hard braking, abrupt lane changes, etc. This information can be used to provide better training or coaching to drivers ensuring driver safety at all times.
3. Reduce Downtime
The equipment you use every day requires regular maintenance. If you don't take care of it, it could break down unexpectedly. This can lead to costly repairs and lost production. In addition, unplanned downtime can cause customer complaints and damage your reputation.
Equipment failure is often caused by negligence. Neglecting routine maintenance could lead to equipment breakdowns and downtime. This is why it is important to schedule regular maintenance checks for every piece of equipment.
Heavy equipment maintenance software helps keep your equipment running smoothly. You'll know what needs to be done before something breaks down. By scheduling routine maintenance, you can avoid unexpected breakdowns and downtimes.
5. Improve your equipment's performance
Preventive maintenance keeps your equipment working better for longer periods, and it helps you avoid costly repairs down the road.
Routine maintenance includes replacing filters, changing fluids, inspecting belts, hoses, and bearings, and checking brakes. Manufacturers recommend routine maintenance every year, or even sooner depending on the type of equipment.
6. Reduce the number of times you replace items
Preventive maintenance helps reduce the number of repairs needed over time. Parts availability is important. Maintenance costs can add up fast for construction companies. It’s one of the most expensive parts of owning a vehicle. But there are ways to minimize the need for replacements.
7. On-time Replacements
Inspecting heavy equipment regularly helps identify potential issues early. This allows you to make minor repairs or replace parts before they become costly. For example, replacing worn tires on tractors or excavators can cost thousands of dollars. If you catch the problem early, you can avoid those costs.
Small repairs or replacement parts are generally less expensive than major repairs or replacements. Replacing a transmission on a tractor could easily cost $10,000. But replacing just one part of the transmission could cost around $1,500.
8. Inspections and repairs can help prevent accidents
The National Transportation Safety Board says heavy equipment operators are responsible for ensuring that their machines are safe to operate. Inspections and maintenance can help prevent serious injuries and deaths.
According to the NTSB, most fatal crashes involving heavy equipment occur because of operator error. These errors include failing to follow operating procedures, such as following too closely behind another vehicle or failing to maintain a proper lookout while driving.
Inspections and maintenance can help identify potential problems early. For example, a routine inspection of hydraulic lines could reveal leaks that might otherwise go undetected. A visual check of the machine’s tires could detect uneven wear patterns that indicate improper inflation.
A good construction equipment maintenance program includes regular checks of brakes, steering, suspension, lights, horns, mirrors, windshield wipers, fuel systems, air filters, exhaust systems, and oil levels. This helps you reduce fuel consumption, maintain safety standards, and avoid costly repairs later.
Simply Fleet - One Solution to all the Issues
The best way to ensure that your fleet runs smoothly is to invest in Construction Equipment maintenance software. These tracking systems are designed to make it easier for you to monitor your fleet’s performance and schedule regular inspections. This helps you avoid costly breakdowns and ensures that your vehicles are always ready to go.
But there’s a catch: most heavy equipment maintenance software solutions require a significant investment upfront. You might think that you could just use Excel spreadsheets to manage your fleet, but there are many things that Excel doesn’t do well. For example, it’s hard to find out how much fuel each vehicle uses, or whether a particular part needs replacing. And even though you can manually enter data into Excel, doing so takes a lot of time.
That’s where Fleet Management Software like Simply Fleet comes in. With our cloud-based solution, business owners can easily access real-time information about their entire fleet at a very reasonable cost. We provide detailed reports that show exactly how your fleet is performing.
Simply Fleet makes managing your fleet easy. But it doesn’t stop there. Our team of experts is here to support you every step of the way. So if you ever run into problems, we’re happy to help.
