To maintain, or not to maintain, that is no question
By Doug Arnold, Aftersales Manager, Ulrich Attachments
Advances in technology and materials mean plant machinery is expected to last longer than ever these days.
But while this means plant owners and operators are consequently being more proactive about maintaining those machines, sadly the same cannot necessarily be said for the attachments without which their carriers are superfluous.
A plant attachment should be able to last the lifetime of its carrier, say five to 10 years, but in reality, often lasts less than half of that. Yet the repercussions of a lack of attachment maintenance can be expensive in both downtime and parts, not to mention if the attachment failure impacts on the performance of its carrier.
Twice daily (or before and after use) maintenance of say a High Tip bucket, or one with hydraulic rams, costs only a few hundred pounds a year in grease and lubricants for the pivot points. Neglecting it to the point where it needs complete refurbishment will cost anything from £3,000 to £8,000. The maths does add up!
So why are so many plant owners/operators not embracing this aspect of their investment and identifying wear and tear before it becomes a major issue?
In today’s increasingly competitive environment, many businesses seem to operate in firefighting mode, where maintenance of their assets can get overlooked. This includes their plant operators as much as the plant itself.
You can grease a pivot joint, pin or bushing until the cows come home but if a less experienced operative is not cleaning the areas around them before applying lubrication, dirt could become trapped, causing friction and premature wear. Hoses also need checking for leaks and fittings for loosening.
Less experienced operatives need to be aware that overloading the attachment, using it at an inappropriate angle, or in an incompatible application (climate, material or terrain), could potentially lead to cracks and structural failure, with all the Health and Safety issues that poses.
Plant that is used by multiple operatives, rather than one consistent one, tends to suffer most. We see this particularly in sectors where operatives also work longer hours.
One way of avoiding all of this is to use attachments from a manufacturer that offers site inspections. Carried out by mobile engineers, these can be carried out at intervals agreed between the manufacturer and the owner, at a cost of just a few hundred pounds. The fee covers technical measurements of the moving parts, and if necessary, replacement of worn parts quickly and effectively, to keep downtime to a minimum and machines up and running.
Manufacturers based in the UK, with 100% availability of spare parts and next-day deliveries, not to mention an attachment hire fleet, trusted welding service for custom repairs or reinforcements, and refurbishment/remanufacturing and custom capabilities, will complement this.
But the match point also comes at the point of purchase, so serious consideration should be given to high-quality attachments that are built to withstand heavy use and offer better durability. While they may cost more upfront, they often require less maintenance and have a longer lifespan.
Manufacturers with sales teams that look beyond the sale itself are also invaluable. These teams will drill their customers down on what the attachment is expected to do, how frequently and for how long, in what kind of environment, and whether they need features like reinforced edges or wear-resistant coatings.
Back that up with the establishment of a regular lubrication schedule based on usage frequency which will optimise the longevity of the attachment the operator is buying. Comprehensive online and printed product guides or manuals should be regularly referred to.
Best practice is regular checks, including the replacement of hydraulic filters and fluid at regular intervals to avoid contamination. Low hydraulic fluid on attachments like quick couplers can damage seals, cylinders, and motors. And just like cars, plant attachments need washing, drying and even the application of a protective coating or lubricant to metal surfaces prone to corrosion.
Storage off the ground in a covered dry area away from extreme weather conditions will also help minimise rust, corrosion and other degradation, and protect hydraulic fluids and other lubricants.
We recently saved a longstanding client the cost of a new High Tip bucket by repairing their existing one. Work included shot blasting, replacing pins, bushes and bosses, and cylinders and hoses, strengthening the hockey stick corner support, installing new bolts on the cutting edge plate, and hydraulic testing. All this at the fraction of the cost.
Did we take him to task about maintenance? We are pleading the Fifth!
This article was originally published in the April/May 2025 edition of Demolition Hub. The article can be found via the following link on pages 42-43 of the edition of the magazine. https://issuu.com/chambers.media/docs/demolition_hub_magazine_-_april_may_2025