Guide to Field Service for Heavy Machinery

When equipment breaks down on the job, field service for heavy machinery can be the best solution for fixing the issue and completing the project. Routine maintenance and inspections in the field can also help sustain your machine’s performance and reliability. This guide will outline what is included in field service repairs and help you prepare your equipment to get the most out of your service. 

Types of Heavy Machinery Field Services

Taking good care of your machines is critical for completing jobs effectively. Keeping on top of maintenance and repairs can be easier when a technician services your equipment at your jobsite. A technician can perform many on-site services to keep your machines working.

Emergency vs. Maintenance Service

Field services can help you when equipment breaks down unexpectedly. You can also help prevent such breakdowns by getting your equipment checked on-site by a field service technician:

Maintenance field service: A field service technician can complete regular maintenance and inspections on your machines at the jobsite. It’s a good idea to service your equipment on-site, rather than in a workshop, so you can start working immediately after any checks are complete. This also avoids having to transport your machine back to the site.

Emergency repairs: When a critical component like hydraulics fails, you need a fast solution to get you back on task. For larger machines, getting your equipment to the nearest shop may not be an option. Thankfully, field service technicians can quickly attend and work on your machine on-site.

What Is Included in a Field Service?

Depending on whether you need an emergency repair or a routine inspection, these are some common servicing options:

Hydraulics: Checking hydraulic systems for contamination is an essential on-site service to maximize the performance of your equipment. Timely inspections and filter changes help maintain hydraulic systems. 

Oil sampling: Technicians take samples of oil, fuel and coolant and send them to the lab. The resulting report can help spot any issues or inefficiencies and recommend what needs to be done next. This preventive measure helps you identify and resolve minor issues before they develop further. Over time, you can save yourself from more costly repairs.

Undercarriage: The undercarriage of your machines can experience a lot of wear and tear, especially if working with steep gradients and rocky conditions. Checking and repairing the components, including track chains and sprockets, ensures your machines run as freely and efficiently as possible. Should parts fail, a field service repair may be able to swap out or repair the affected part without you having to take your machine back to the workshop. A field service can also correct alignment issues with tracks or wheels on-site.

Welding and fabrication: Field service technicians carry portable welding tools and are fully qualified to make the right fix there and then. Technicians can weld cracks or repair parts to form a durable solution that saves you the cost of buying a new part. 

Engine service: A field service can fix and prevent some common breakdowns. These include battery problems, a lack of coolant and ensuring the correct fuel is used during extreme temperatures. It can be challenging to transport a broken-down engine to a shop, which is where an emergency field repair could help bring your machine back online.

Inspections: If you have Cat^® equipment, consider getting technical analysis inspections. TA1 and TA2 cover two different levels of inspections to suit your needs. These help to spot issues early, which allows for better safety and reliability. 

Benefits of On-Site Repairs and Maintenance. 

There are many advantages to using a field service to keep your fleet performing reliably. These include: 

• Get back online quickly: Emergency field repairs can get your machines working more quickly than workshop repairs because of the time savings in transportation. This allows you to get your machines back on task to meet your deadlines.
• Lower transport costs: Larger pieces of heavy equipment may require specialist equipment to transport back to your repair shop. Getting a field service saves you the time and hassle of transporting broken-down machines back from the site.
• Mitigate any further impact when transporting: Repairing the out-of-action equipment on-site reduces the risk of further impact to your machines or trailer compared to returning it to the shop. This is especially true for immobilized machines caused by faulty hydraulics, engine or transmission.
• More regular servicing: You may find on-site servicing more convenient, meaning you can invest in increased maintenance checks. This helps prolong the life of your machine and could improve its resale value when you refer back to its service history documentation. 

How to Prepare for a Field Service

When you’ve booked your field service, there are a few pointers to ensure a smooth process:

• If possible, move your machine to the most accessible point on your site. Or make sure someone is ready to welcome the technician and take them directly to the machine that needs servicing. 
• Have any documentation ready, like service history, for the service technician to use.
• Spend some time identifying the cause of your repair. While a skilled technician should be the one to carry out any major repairs, isolating the issue and preparing more information for the technician can help them pinpoint the solution more quickly. 

What to Expect During a Service

When you work with a reliable partner like Blanchard Machinery Company, you can find local technicians who can exceed your field service expectations by quickly responding to an emergency call, even after hours. For routine maintenance, review the recommended service intervals for your machine.

The time it takes for repairs and maintenance will vary depending on your location, the type of machines you wish to service and the specifics of any issues you’re experiencing. 

You may not always be able to solve your problem in the field. Sometimes, components are beyond repair or will require further repairs or rebuilds that can only be carried out with specialist tools and equipment at the shop. At this time, consider weighing up the cost of rebuilding or replacing a part. 

Rely on Blanchard Machinery Company for High-Quality Field Servicing

Machines provide immense value for your business, and minimizing downtime preserves your bottom line. Field servicing is an excellent option for ensuring heavy equipment maintenance while keeping machines on-site. Technicians can carry out a range of works at your jobsite, including repairs to get your machines quickly back online. 

Partner with a company you can trust for dependable servicing at Blanchard Machinery Company. We offer immediate repairs and scheduled maintenance on-site to keep a variety of Cat equipment and other brands of machines performing optimally. Since 1952, we have provided an unmatched service for businesses across South Carolina to help build the state. Book your next service with us now. If you need an emergency repair, call 1.844.BLANCHARD.