If you buy a new car you’re expected to come back for a scheduled oil change. If you break you’re arm your expected to go to physical therapy. This is all to ensure your car and your arm continue to perform at a high level. Industrial service companies like Wilcox want to minimize anything that stands in the way of an unpleasant experience with a piece of equipment you may have purchased – that’s why some sort of Planned Maintenance Program is so important. It can ensure your parts will be covered under manufacturer’s warranty and extend the life of your equipment if you have a Mastered Technicians routinely maintaining doors, docks and other equipment.
The first step is to talk with the company who supplied you with the product about a routine maintenance plan and potentially what parts to buy in advance to speed up any future repairs. It is suggested that companies have replacement parts on hand so onsite repairs can be completed much faster and thus reduce downtime. Typically the average turn around time for warranty replacement can take up to 90 days. This is only in the case if your parts are past their warranty period. When a part needs replacement under warranty, the parts are covered but NOT the labour.
How many visits are recommended?: The number of visits is an important factor in protecting your equipment warranty. Most companies believe that the equipment they purchased for the first year should be flawless and need no inspection. This is incorrect, and even though most manufacturers have a “Usage Promise” for their equipment, every piece of equipment gets used differently and should be inspected routinely. That’s why quarterly inspections should be done with a full report on each piece of equipment. Downtime is much less likely to happen when parts are checked for wear and tear 3 to 4 times a year.
Don’t be caught off guard with a breakdown and having to pay for parts that could have been covered. Routine inspections and adjustments will save you money in the long run and lengthen the life of your equipment.
