Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2847
http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph, Tel. No. (043) 425-0139 loc. 118/2121

Civil Engineering Department

Construction Equipment and Maintenance

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the Subject
CE 412 - Construction Methods
and Project Management

CE 3203 - CEM
GROUP NO. 6

Submitted By:
De Leon, Lycie Anne
21-09734

Submitted To:
Engr. Digna L. Nocum

April, 8, 2024

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

I. Construction Equipment
Construction Equipment means the equipment, machinery, structures,
scaffolding, materials, tools, supplies and systems owned, rented or leased by
Contractor or its Subcontractors or Sub-subcontractors for use in accomplishing the
Work, but not intended for incorporation into the Project. It refers to heavy-duty
vehicles specially designed for executing construction tasks, most frequently
involving earthwork operations.
Construction equipment plays a crucial role in the construction industry. From
heavy machinery to specialized tools, these equipment are essential for completing
construction projects efficiently and effectively. They not only help with tasks that
would be otherwise impossible or time-consuming to carry out manually but also
contribute to improving worker safety and project outcomes.

II. Heavy Equipment

It’s worth noting that the term “heavy” is not made in reference to
weight or size of the machine, rather the heavy-duty nature of the tasks it performs.
In today’s workforce, the consensus is that heavy equipment refers to
heavy-duty vehicles that are specifically designed for construction and earthmoving
tasks.
What makes things a little ambiguous is that there are many terms used to
describe
heavy equipment, including heavy machines, heavy trucks, construction equipment,
engineering equipment, heavy vehicles and even heavy hydraulics. No matter which
term you like to use, it includes machines such as:
● Wheel loaders
● Bulldozers
● Excavators
● Scrapers
● Backhoes
● Dump trucks
● Graders
● All-terrain forklifts

III. Five Equipment Systems:

1. Implementation
2. Traction
3. Structure
4. Powertrain
5. Control and Information System

IV. Equipment Function

Two pillars of construction

Operators: Masters of Manipulation Within the Site
Haulers: The Lifeblood of Material Delivery

V. Heavy Equipment Operation

A heavy-duty operation typically refers to tasks or activities that require
substantial strength, durability, or capacity. This term is commonly used in various
industries to describe equipment, machinery, vehicles, or processes designed to handle
significant loads or perform demanding tasks.
For example:
1. Heavy-Duty Vehicles: Trucks or construction equipment designed for
transporting large or heavy loads.
2. Heavy-Duty Machinery: Industrial equipment built to handle robust and
challenging operations in manufacturing, construction, or other fields.
3. Heavy-Duty Materials: Strong and durable materials used in construction,
manufacturing, or infrastructure projects to withstand substantial stress or
pressure.

Construction Equipment Operators

Construction equipment operators drive, maneuver, or control the heavy
machinery used to construct roads, buildings, and other structures.

VI. Types of Construction Equipment

● Earth Moving Equipment- Used to carry out various excavation tasks
such as digging and moving the earth. Different types of earth-moving
equipment have unique applications and are primarily used for
repairing, constructing, elevating, agriculture, and demolition. Material
Handling Equipment- This category includes various tools, machinery,
and systems used to move, protect, store, and control products and
materials during manufacturing, distribution, consumption, and
disposal. Examples include forklifts, conveyor belts, cranes, hoists,
pallet jacks, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs).
● Construction Vehicle- These are vehicles specifically designed and
used for construction purposes. They include heavy equipment such as
excavators, bulldozers, loaders, dump trucks, and cement mixers.
Construction vehicles are essential for tasks like earthmoving, material
transportation, and site preparation.
● Construction Equipment- This is a broader category encompassing
various tools, machinery, and apparatus used in construction projects.
It includes both vehicles and stationary machinery used for tasks such
as digging, grading, paving, drilling, and lifting. Examples include
excavators, cranes, concrete mixers, compactors, and scaffolding.
● Construction Tools and other Equipment- This category covers a wide
range of handheld tools and smaller equipment commonly used by
construction workers. These tools are used for tasks such as cutting,
drilling, fastening, measuring, and finishing. Examples include
hammers, saws, drills, wrenches, levels, and safety gear like hard hats
and gloves.

VII. Construction Equipment Managements

Construction equipment management refers to a company's ability to evaluate
their construction equipment fleet and the fleet costs on a consistent basis.
Construction equipment management also involves taking a company’s evaluation of
their fleet and comparing it against their current projects. With this information, a
business can strike a healthy balance between the expenses and use of the equipment
and the time and income generated from projects. Construction equipment
management helps managers evaluate their equipment and make decisions about it,
such as if they should upgrade to a better option or sell a piece of equipment that is no
longer being used. A good management system will also assist with identifying ways
you can better protect and store your equipment. With strong construction equipment
management practices in place, a company can maximize their equipments value
while minimizing equipment expenses

Program Considerations
1. Selection and purchasing Installation
2. Calibration and performance evaluation
3. Maintenance
4. Troubleshooting
5. Service and repair
6. Retiring and disposing of equipment

Selecting Equipment

Investing in construction equipment strategically can have numerous

benefits for construction companies. It allows them to have better control over project
timelines, improve productivity, and reduce reliance on external rentals. Additionally,
owning equipment offers long-term cost savings and potential for higher returns on
investment. By carefully considering their equipment needs and investing in the right
tools, construction companies can enhance their capabilities and competitiveness in
the industry.

Common Causes of Equipment Failure

● Aging Equipment - One of the most common causes of equipment failure is

the natural wear and tear that occurs over time as equipment is continuously
used. Like any other mechanical system, equipment components degrade,
lubricants break down, and parts may become loose or misaligned. As a result,
equipment starts experiencing more frequent breakdowns and requires
increased maintenance, spare parts, and repairs. This leads to mounting
maintenance costs associated with reactive maintenance, unexpected
downtime, and the need for urgent fixes.
● Operator Error- Human error is a prevalent cause of machine failure, and
mistakes are a natural part of human behavior. But human errors can have
negative consequences on equipment performance. Overloading machines
beyond capacity, operating without proper knowledge or authorization, or
disregarding safety guidelines are all recipes for disaster caused by improper
use. Prioritizing proactive training initiatives and training each operator on
every piece of equipment they are responsible for ensures they have the
necessary skills and knowledge to operate it safely and efficiently and prevent
misuse.
● Lack of Preventive Maintenance- Preventive maintenance involves regularly
inspecting, servicing, and repairing equipment to address potential issues
before they lead to failure. In contrast, reactive maintenance involves waiting
for equipment to break down before taking action.
● Over-maintenance- While preventive maintenance is crucial for preventing
equipment failure, it is essential to avoid excessive maintenance (yes, there is
such a thing as too much). Conducting too much maintenance can impact
efficiency and asset longevity. Excessive maintenance often leads to overspending on
maintenance activities, such as unnecessary part replacement or frequent servicing,
which can strain the maintenance budget. It also can accelerate asset depreciation and
wear and tear on aging equipment, reducing the overall lifespan of the equipment.

VIII. Construction Equipment Maintenance

Construction equipment maintenance program ensures that construction companies
follow maintenance schedules to preserve equipment life. With clear maintenance
records and the help of service technicians, all heavy equipment stays safe and
functional.

Importance of Construction Equipment Maintenance

Every modern construction company depends on heavy machinery to build fast and
stay on schedule. However, without a clear maintenance plan and regular servicing,
there are too many factors that can halt your progress. Even with well maintained
construction equipment, all tools experience gradual failure due to wear and tear. By
following a strict heavy equipment maintenance checklist, construction companies
aim to minimize all risks and expenses that could damage the business.

Types of Construction Equipment Maintenance

1. Preventive
2. Breakdown
3. Corrective
4. Turn-Around
5. Period

IX. Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance is a proactive approach to maintaining equipment,
machinery, or systems in order to prevent breakdowns, failures, and other issues
before they occur. It involves regularly scheduled inspections, servicing, and repairs
to ensure that equipment continues to function efficiently and reliably. The primary
goal of preventive maintenance is to reduce the likelihood of unexpected downtime,
extend the lifespan of equipment, and minimize overall maintenance costs.
Importance of Preventive Maintenance - Preventive maintenance plays a critical role
in the smooth functioning of various industries and sectors, owing to its multifaceted
benefits. Firstly, it significantly minimizes downtime by addressing potential issues
before they escalate into major problems, ensuring continuity of operations and
bolstering productivity. This proactive approach also translates into cost savings, as
preventive maintenance is typically more economical than reactive repairs, ultimately
reducing repair expenses and optimizing resource allocation. Moreover, regular
maintenance extends the lifespan of equipment, providing a higher return on
investment and reducing the frequency of costly replacements.

● Longevity: Without question, properly maintained construction equipment

outlasts poorly maintained machinery. Good maintenance extends service
longevity. It also pays returns in resale and trade-in value. Equipment works
longer and makes more income during its service. Then, if well maintained,
that equipment is worth more money at its end.
● Confidence: Like construction equipment, machine operators are valuable
 assets. However, operators are humans and have emotional needs. One of
those is having confidence that the equipment they’re handling is safe and
dependable. Poorly maintained equipment has a demoralizing effect on
operators, and soon they’ll develop a lack of confidence that leads to company
disrespect. That spirals to a lack of safe operation or failure to report potential
problems. You can prevent low confidence with routine maintenance.
● Litigation: No matter how well maintained construction equipment is,
sometimes accidents happen. When they do, it invariably involves the
authorities and investigations into the cause. If the mishap occurred because of
negligence due to poor maintenance, that would bring liability onto the
equipment owner. It could lead to litigation. However, if there is a clear trail
of regular and preventive maintenance, the chance of expensive litigation
significantly lowers.

The three primary components of preventive maintenance are:

● Routine Scheduling for Mandatory Service Tasks Requirements: This

component involves establishing a regular maintenance schedule based on
manufacturer recommendations, equipment specifications, industry standards,
and historical performance data. Routine maintenance tasks such as
lubrication, filter replacement, calibration, and other essential servicing
activities are scheduled at predetermined intervals to ensure that equipment
remains in optimal working condition. Adhering to a maintenance schedule
helps prevent unexpected failures, reduces downtime, and extends the lifespan
of equipment.
● Visual Inspection: Visual inspection is a fundamental aspect of preventive
maintenance, involving the visual examination of equipment components to
identify signs of wear, damage, or potential problems. Maintenance personnel
visually inspect equipment for leaks, corrosion, cracks, loose connections,
unusual sounds or vibrations, and other abnormalities that may indicate
impending issues. Visual inspections are often conducted during routine
servicing intervals and serve as an early detection mechanism for identifying
maintenance needs before they escalate into critical failures.
● Proactively Replacing Parts: Proactive replacement of parts involves
preemptively replacing components that are prone to wear and tear or have
reached the end of their service life, even if they are still functioning. This
proactive approach helps prevent equipment failures and breakdowns by
replacing parts before they fail unexpectedly. Components such as belts,
bearings, seals, hoses, filters, and other consumables are replaced according to
predetermined replacement intervals or based on visual inspection findings,
equipment performance data, or predictive maintenance techniques.
Proactively replacing parts ensures equipment reliability, minimizes
downtime, and reduces the risk of costly repairs or damage caused by
component failures.

X. Preparing a Heavy Maintenance Check List

Checklists must be comprehensive and identify every crucial and
not-so-crucial maintenance point that’s unique to a particular equipment piece. They
cover what should be done and at what recommended time. They also remind
maintainers to anticipate developing problems so they can take counteractive
measures before something fails.

Here are common tasks found on a heavy equipment maintenance checklist:

● Batteries: Batteries notoriously lose charge or die on short notice. Checklists
should include a battery’s age, its voltage retention and acid ratio. Also
important are the terminal and cable conditions.
● Belts: Most construction equipment has belt-driven components like
compressors, alternators and pumps. Belt age, fraying, slackness and
discoloration should be on an equipment list.
● Body: Inspect and record general body condition with a checklist. Note the
damage, rust, looseness and paint conditions.
● Brakes: Brake condition should be near the checklist top. Pad and shoe
status,
as well as drum and disc health, are crucial observations. So are fluid levels,
pressures and cable conditions.
● Coolant: Radiator and transmission coolants tell a lot about equipment’s
state.
Aside from adequate levels and normal colors, coolants should have periodic
analysis to check for internal problems that can’t be detected by the eye.
● Electrical: Electrical component checkpoints go beyond battery conditions.
Checklists should include voltage and amperage testing, cable examination
and fuse conditions.
● Exhaust: Exhaust systems tell a lot about engine performance. Abnormal
sound is one problem indicator but so is smoke. Exhaust connections like
clamps and hangers should have their own checklist boxes.
● Filters: Every filter on the equipment must have its own check-off. That
includes oil, fuel, air and hydraulic filters. It could also be cabin filters.
Checklist remarks can include whether filters were cleaned or replaced.
● Fluids: Checking equipment fluids is mandatory in every scheduled service
inspection. Fluid analysis for engine oil, hydraulic oil, transmission fluid and
engine coolant is like a blood test for humans. They reveal what’s going on
inside equipment.
● Fuel: Gasoline, diesel and propane fuel functions are extremely important to
equipment operation. Without functioning fuel delivery systems, they’re not
going to run. Ensure there are checkmark spots for fuel pumps, lines and
storage tanks.
● Injectors: Diesel engines rely on injectors for fuel delivery. Plugged or
dysfunctional injectors impact power and economy. Injector cleaning or
replacement belongs on an equipment maintenance checklist.
● Lubrication: It goes without saying that greasing and lubricating is on a
check
sheet. The list should also identify critical moving areas like joints and
sleeves.
● Safety: Every safety device should have a checkbox. Include seatbelts,
lights,
horn, locks and energy lockout points. Other safety devices like fire protection
and hazard warning belong on the list, too.
● Steering: Every part of the equipment steering system needs preventive
maintenance checks. That goes for the tie rods, ball joints, idler arms and even
the wheel condition.
● Suspension: Preventive maintenance and proactive tasks always take in the
equipment’s suspension components. Note condition of springs, struts, shocks
and undercarriage.
● Tires: If the equipment rolls on tires, it needs checklist mention. Record tire
wear, tread depth and pressure. Balance is another item for the list.
● Tracks: Tracked equipment deserves special recognition on a maintenance
checklist. Treads, cleats and idlers should have their box as well as general
wear condition.
● Windshield: All glass should be inspected every time a checklist comes out.
Chips can easily develop into sight-impairing cracks. Also look for mirror and
light glass condition.