Caterpillar recently conducted a webinar to bring the trade press up to speed on the latest developments in its EMSolutions initiative. EM stands for Equipment Management, and the emphasis is on using data to drive operational success.
Using the data generated by your equipment puts money in your pocket by helping you keep your equipment in top shape and avoid unplanned downtime. According to Cat, here are six ways to make the most of your data to help manage your equipment and reduce operating costs.
- Preventive Maintenance. Take advantage of electronic alerts to schedule and complete all recommended maintenance and service.
- S•O•S Fluid Analysis. Sample oil, coolant and hydraulic fluids regularly, have your Cat dealer analyze them for wear indicators, then act quickly on the results and recommendations from your dealer’s Condition Monitoring Analyst (CMA).
- Inspections. Regularly look for smoke, leaks, lagging performance and so on. Send electronic inspection reports to your Cat dealer for use in a condition monitoring program.
- Repair Before Failure. Use equipment data and electronic alerts to catch small problems early. Schedule repairs quickly to avoid breakdowns and keep repair costs low.
- Operator Training. Operating practices dramatically impact performance and component wear. Remotely monitor your operators’ day-to-day performance to spot training opportunities and reward good performance.
- Record Keeping. Automatically gather data on machine history, component life and operating costs. Good records help you identify high-cost or problem areas, track work flow, control expenses and increase machine resale value.