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Article | Construction Trends

Four trends shaping the future of construction equipment maintenance

4 min read

Despite headwinds from the past couple of years, the construction industry outlook is cautiously optimistic. As you work with your team to capitalize on new opportunities, there are a few trends to keep in mind that can help you optimize your equipment maintenance program – ultimately helping you deliver jobs on budget and on time.

To better understand these opportunities, here are the top four trends that we’re seeing in 2022:

1. Preventative maintenance programs should be treated as predictive maintenance strategies

For as long as it’s existed, the construction industry has worked to improve equipment uptime while reducing downtime. As a result, many construction companies have come to the realization that preventative maintenance (PM) programs are essential to the efficiency and productivity of an operation. 
 
When it comes to fleets, as you are well aware, any downtime can lead to losses due to time-consuming equipment repairs that put your completion schedule at risk. Equipment upkeep and maintenance needs to be a top priority for all construction companies. 
 
Although preventative maintenance is considered a high priority for nearly any fleet, many PM programs still have room for improvement. Historically, PM programs were designed based on the recommendations of partner OEMs, which include oil changing intervals, filter replacements and equipment inspections. Today, newer technologies, like digital monitoring and more advanced lubricant formulations, offer operators the opportunity to develop predictive maintenance programs that help extend operation time and better plan out major component replacements.  
 
Predictive maintenance tools, such as Mobil Serv℠ Lubricant Analysis (MSLA) leverage this technology to analyze oil quality and detect problems before breakdowns occur — See how MSLA once helped a fleet save more than $185k.

2. The future of construction fleet maintenance is digital

Construction businesses have long stayed connected through technology, but with the continuation of COVID-19, digital solutions have become more of a necessity. 
 
Much of this new technology focuses on enhanced fleet management and comes from essential OEMs, like Komatsu and Caterpillar. Their capabilities offer a range of robust solutions, all aiming to improve collaboration across the industry.  
 
One of the challenges that comes with using technology to run a business is ensuring that all information will be organized and consistent, which is difficult to achieve if you are using multiple platforms from various OEMs combined with challenges from managing multiple job sites.

3. Fuel efficiency is key to success

Fuel is a major cost for any construction business, especially now with skyrocketing prices. And more businesses than ever are prioritizing sustainability wherever they can. Finding new ways to reduce fuel consumption can have a huge impact, and more industry players, like Cat and Volvo Construction Equipment, are rolling out fuel-efficient equipment and solutions. 
 
But improving fuel efficiency can be as simple as choosing the right lubricant. This can benefit your business by reducing fuel spend and the associated emissions. In fact, certain hydraulic fluids can improve fuel economy by several percentage points.  
 
For example, Mobil DTE™ 10 Excel hydraulic oil can potentially improve efficiency by up to six percent. And in hot climates, it can keep your hydraulics running cool, which improves efficiency, reduces fuel consumption, and saves you money. 
 
In cold climates, switching from a conventional, mineral based transmission oil to a high quality synthetic, like the Mobil Delvac 1 Transmission Fluid Arctic, can help improve fuel economy by up to 3 percent. 
 
And choosing the right lubricant has other benefits to your business as well:

  • Reduced waste: you can reduce oil waste by thousands of gallons with the right, high-performance lubricant.
  • Improved safety: the right lubricant will keep your equipment running stronger and longer, so you’ll need less human/equipment interaction for maintenance and repairs.

4. Skilled labor is harder to find, and businesses need to make the most of their existing staff

Nationwide labor shortages are making it harder for construction companies to grow. Businesses need to be strategic in how and when to use their staff and find solutions to help reduce the necessary manpower.  
 
Mobil’s expert services include staff training and product consolidation to simplify maintenance and safely extend oil drain intervals. Additionally, Mobil Delvac Modern 15W-40 Extended performance engine oil can extend oil drain intervals out to 1,000 hours. Reducing time spent on oil changes means your staff is available to complete other essential tasks. 
 
If you have any questions, or want to discuss these trends in more detail, don’t hesitate to reach out and find your local Mobil Serv℠ Engineering team via the “Talk to an Expert” form.

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