Are you looking for ways to maintain and preserve your front end loader machine?

To keep your loader working, you need to know how to care for it and which mistakes to avoid.

Proper maintenance and care help your machine to work better, and it extends the life of your equipment. These five simple tips ensure your loader will serve you well for years to come.

1. Take Time for General Maintenance

Skipping the general maintenance can cause wear and tear on your machine. Taking the time to perform maintenance checks reduces the stress put on high-wear areas.

This preventative maintenance checklist goes over all the parts of your front end loader.

Buckets, in particular, can take a beating over time. Make sure to grease them to prevent damage.

Keep an eye on your wear plates as well. Make sure to replace or turn them if they’re getting worn down or you risk costly repairs.

2. Keep Your Front End Loader Machine Clean

Extend the life of your heavy equipment by keeping it cleaned properly.

Wash your loader equipment down on a regular basis. This helps you detect and remove debris that gets lodged in the wheels, undercarriage, or along the windows.

This is also a good time to check for any hydraulic leaks or damaged parts. Finding and fixing these issues early prevents downtime and hefty repair costs.

If you do need repairs, make sure to have it serviced sooner rather than later.

3. Avoid Overexerting the Brakes

Over-applying the brakes can lead to overheating and excessive wear. Hitting the brakes too often results in them wearing out.

To prevent brake failure, take some precautions:

• Train your operators to go slow
• Avoid sudden and frequent stops
• Never ride the brakes

Allow the machine to slow down on its own before braking. Knowing how to declutch also reduces stress on the brakes.

Practicing these tips and following safety requirements ensures that your equipment lasts longer and creates a safer work environment.

4. Skip the High-Speed Shifts

Operators that switch from one direction to another too quickly without using the brakes are overheating the transmission and torque converter. These high-speed shifts cause unnecessary wear and tear.

This can result in these components wearing out too fast. Make sure your operators aren’t guilty of this bad habit.

If you do notice frequent problems, make sure you’re keeping up with maintenance checks and look for warning lights.

5. Let It Warm Up and Cool Down

When learning how to operate a front end loader, operators should always allow time for warm up and cool down periods.

Stick to the recommended warm-up time in the manufacturer’s guidelines. Letting the system reach the proper temperature ensures optimal performance.

Make sure equipment has enough time to shut down. The machine should idle for roughly two or three minutes before shutting down. This keeps the turbochargers from spinning for too long and the bearings from running dry.

Keep Your Front End Loaders Working Efficiently

Always take good care of your heavy equipment by keeping up with routine maintenance checks and cleaning. Also, remember to get your front end loaders in for service on a regular basis.

Instructing operators of your front end loader machine to follow the manufacturer guidelines prevents components from overheating and breaking down.

If you have a question about a part or need special service, contact us or request a quote.

It’s your first day on the job. Your new boss takes you around and introduces you to the rest of the team.

You’re not sure how you got here, but the sign on your office says, “Purchasing Agent” and now you’ve got to perform.

Your business degree didn’t prepare you for this-but the money’s good, and you have a title.

Your job description mentions something about inventory. The last time you did inventory was when you worked at that burger joint. Does that count?

You checked off a bunch of skills on your application, but you’re feeling a little sick.

Negotiating isn’t really in your wheelhouse, and apparently, it’s a requirement.

So, what do you do now?

Don’t sweat it! We’ve come up with a few tips for industrial purchasing agents.

Enhance Computer Skills

A purchasing agent uses computer skills for every aspect of their job.

You roll your eyes and say, “that’s a no-brainer,” but what software skills did you bring to the table when you applied for your current position?

Consider a few ways you use data in your job.

You collect, analyze, and summarize data and trends. Your findings help track and budget expenses. They’re used as a tool for purchase planning.

Spreadsheets bring data from multiple sources and consolidate information in a single location. Using spreadsheets helps identify trends–an essential part of your job.

Your job means you deal not just with sourcing parts for heavy machinery. You’ll also handle sourcing service providers. Spreadsheets keep all parts of your job organized in a central place, which makes you work more efficiently.

In addition to spreadsheet skills, knowing your way around a word processing program will make life on the easier.

Refine Research Skills

Another tip designed to make an industrial purchasing agent more successful focuses on something many people have a love/hate relationship with research.

Put aside the unpleasant memories of college writing assignments and refine your research skills.

You spend a considerable amount of time reviewing sales and inventory records. That’s research!

But what about researching the history of your industry?

Figure out what industries your customers are in and spend time researching those as well. It might help you make better purchasing decisions when you also understand your own end users.

How much time do you invest in evaluating current and potential suppliers? You make decisions about your suppliers based on more than just their prices.

Those decisions come from researching:

• Quality of products
• Selection
• Service and support
• Production and distribution capabilities
• Reputation and history.

You must find the most cost-effective products and sources. If you have poor research skills or tell yourself you hate research, it’s time for a change in mindset.

Sharpen Communication Skills

Good relationships with suppliers are a critical aspect of a purchasing buyer’s job. Vendors can make your life difficult by delaying orders. Or they can efficiently manage your last-minute requests for supplies and services.

Your strong people skills will help you develop strong relationships not only with vendors but with your own team members.

People who can communicate effectively are usually also great at building rapport.

When you build rapport with your external and internal team members your earn the reputation of a person who gets things done. That may sound simplistic, but it comes in handy when you want a raise or promotion.

Perfect Your Negotiation Skills

In the world of the industrial purchasing agent, poor negotiation skills can result in lost profits for your organization. It can also mean missed opportunities and promotions for you personally.

You must perfect your negotiation skills so you can come to the table confidently and decisively.

There’s no room for the timid mouse who asks for better pricing and terms.

A good negotiator demands the best rates and conditions for the business. Confidence is what drives an effective negotiation.

Your negotiation skills are a critical part of your organization’s overall profitability. If you implement a few negotiation tips and tricks so that you can source materials, goods, and services at a low cost, it shows your organization you’re a worthwhile investment.

If you haven’t spent time on your negotiation skills, consider taking an online course.

Ask your employer if they would consider covering the costs. Despite what we said earlier about timid mice, this is not a situation where you should make demands.

Develop Foreign Language Skills

English is the native language of the United States.

Nothing new about that but are there any other countries in the world where English is the primary language spoken?

So, you took Spanish, German, or French way back in high school, right?

Can you have a conversation today in the language you studied in high school or college?

The ability to speak a foreign language enables a purchasing agent to buy products from around the globe. When you can communicate in a foreign language rapport building is easier.

Imagine negotiating prices in your vendor’s language. First, there’s less chance of misunderstanding. Second, the relationship becomes a partnership rather than one of vendor and buyer.

Everyone involved in your business, including your customers benefit from working with people across the globe. If it weren’t for global business, we’d miss out on a whole world of excellent supplies and services.

Learning a foreign language doesn’t mean you need to go back to school. A quick online search will return a wide range of language learning tools, including apps for your phone.

Be the Best Purchasing Agent

Enough can’t be said about striving for excellence, and that’s especially true for you if you work as a purchasing agent. You’re one of the major players in your company’s profitability.

We hope you got something out of reading our tips.

If you’re interested in researching us and the ways we can help you source industrial machinery parts, contact us today. We’d love to help!

Need to source some heavy equipment?

Searching for earthwork operations?

Construction equipment, industrial materials handling or more?

You are in the right place.

Infrastructure and housing industries globally continue their upward trend. This drives industry giants like Komatsu and Caterpillar to new heights. The global heavy construction equipment manufacturing market was $181.6 billion in 2016. It is on trend to reach $230.9 billion by 2020.

Stay on top of industry trends for the very best and most innovative solutions to your needs. We cover a variety of construction and industrial applications.

Read on for information on the top 10 heavy equipment manufacturers.

Top 10 Heavy Equipment Manufacturers

Building trends in Asia, Africa, and Europe continue to grow. Global economic pressure has slowed growth in some areas, but demand is still higher than in 2016. There are no new manufacturers joining the top 10 list, even if their position shifts year to year.

Caterpillar (North America)

Distinctive yellow giant Caterpillar tops the list of industrial equipment manufacturers. It delivers engines and cargo handling equipment — also, agricultural and other industrial machinery for global use.

The U.S. based Caterpillar is #1 among construction and mining equipment makers. Their products include gas turbines for industrial use — also diesel and electric trains, earth moving and hoist equipment, and heavy-duty engines.

John Deere (North America)

The U.S. based John Deere also appears in the top 10. It manufactures agricultural, construction, and forestry machinery. It is the second largest heavy equipment manufacturer in the U.S.

You can find its diesel engines, industrial drivetrains, and lawn care equipment worldwide.

Komatsu (Asia)

Komatsu Ltd is a Japan-based multinational corporation. They manufacture for the military, construction, and mining industries.

Komatsu produces a broad range of industrial equipment. Komatsu is Asia’s largest manufacturer of heavy industrial machinery. They are second only to Caterpillar worldwide.

Hitachi (Asia)

Japan-based Hitachi is a leading construction equipment manufacturer based in Japan. They are famous for their small appliances. But, Hitachi’s heavy equipment manufacturing includes excavators, cranes, elevators, and loaders.

XCMG (Asia)

Government-owned XCMG Group is a Chinese heavy equipment manufacturing company and is one of the biggest construction machinery companies in the world. It is China’s largest heavy machinery manufacturer.

Sany (Asia)

Chinese multinational corporation Sany makes its headquarters in Changsha, Hunan Province, China. It produces concrete machinery, excavators, hoists, cranes and wind turbines.

Zoomlion (Asia)

Zoomlion is also based in Changsha, Hunan Province, China. Zoomlion’s heavy equipment and construction machinery products are popular in growing markets. This includes the Middle East. Also, South America, Africa, CIS (former Soviet bloc) and Southeast Asia.

Doosan Infracore (Asia)

Seoul, Korea company Doosan Infracore, is an international company. They produce a range of excavators, loaders and diesel engines.

Volvo CE (Europe)

Swedish giant Volvo Construction Equipment has a long history. It is in the global top 10 list of construction manufacturers every year. Volvo CE manufactures and sells many types of earthmoving and construction equipment.

Liebherr (Europe)

The Liebherr Group is a heavy equipment manufacturer. They make their headquarters in Switzerland and other countries. It provides equipment for mining, aerospace, concrete and maritime industries.

Looking to Maintain or Upgrade Your Heavy Equipment?

Contact us today to discuss heavy equipment manufacturers. We specialize in industrial equipment. Talk to us about overhead crane brakes, hoists, brakes and clutches, gearbox and transmission products.

Do you need engineering solutions that are unique to your project, but you don’t know where to look for help?

We understand your situation.

We have a long distinguished list of satisfied clients that approached us when they faced problems.

Let’s look at the steps that helped them choose Kor-Pak as the engineering firm to provide them with custom solutions.

Identify the Problem

To correctly engineer solutions, you have to begin by identifying the engineering problem that needs to be corrected. You can’t apply the right answer to the wrong question and expect success.

You may have spotted a problem, but is it the core problem? Is it the true issue?

Once you know the primary issue, you can begin looking for a firm with experience tackling that particular type of problem.

We sit down with potential clients to discuss the challenge they’re facing. Together we’re able to isolate the issue and draft a robust strategy for addressing it.

Consider Experience

You want a firm with a documented track record of solving problems like the one you’re facing.

You’re looking for indisputable expertise and proven success. Don’t stop until you find it.

We are well-versed in the engineering demands of many fields. We have engineered industrial solutions in sectors as diverse as including iron and steel, rail, agriculture and farming, port and marine terminals, mining, oil and petroleum, and wind power.

Do You Have a Good Rapport With the Company?

Sometimes companies can’t agree on the best way to address a problem.

Make sure that there’s an understanding before any papers are signed. The firm you hire should see your point of view and be willing to proceed with the project only in a way that fits with your company’s standards and ethics.

One of the reasons we have repeat customers is because we listen.

We even specialize in emergency orders and special orders.

Keep an Eye on the True Cost of the Project

You want to save your company money, but you don’t want to cost it a fortune in the long run.

A conscientious firm will work with you to keep costs to a minimal, but will not sacrifice quality.

Beware of the company that says it can solve your problem for a price that seems too good to be true. The odds are that the low-cost company will find itself in over its head once the project gets underway.

Once the full scope of the problem is clear, it becomes evident that the company doesn’t have the engineering skills that are needed.

If that’s the case, you’ll then be forced to bring in one of the other firms you interviewed to clean up what was left behind by the bargain company.

It’s now going to cost you significantly more to complete the project.

At Kor-Pak we build long-lasting relationships with our customers. That can only happen if we consistently deliver on our promises.

We feel that we only succeed when our customers succeed.

Engineering Solutions to Your Worst Problems

Whatever your problem happens to be we want to discuss it with you.

Don’t you think that you’ve wrestled with the issue long enough? Let us lend a hand.

Contact Kor-Pak today to discover how quickly we can devise custom engineering solutions to your company’s most perplexing issues.

Rub your hands together as fast as you can. That heat you’re feeling? That’s the result of friction. That very same friction helps us run some of humankind’s most impressive machinery.

Friction is an inevitable result of materials rubbing together. Think about a car’s piston. When the piston operates, metals rub together, and friction is born. Too much friction and the pistons won’t move.

Car brakes also rely on friction, though in this case friction is positive. Brake pads rub against rotors to stop your car. The resulting friction is the what causes your car to stop.

Though all friction isn’t created equal, in some instances, we’re trying to create friction and in others limit friction. We adjust friction levels by utilizing high and low friction materials.

Aiming for precise amounts of friction ensures the system or machine is operating at 100 percent efficiency. Today, we’re explaining the differences between low friction materials and high friction materials.

High and Low Friction Materials: The Similarities

All friction materials have one thing in common. They’re used in an application that requires friction. It seems obvious, but it’s essential to understand that friction materials all serve the same end goal.

Any material used with friction in mind has properties similar enough to handle friction in at least some amount. When you’re talking about high and low friction materials, you often run into overlap.

Take plastics, for instance. Plastics are often friction materials, in both high and low friction applications. The plastics themselves are all somewhat similar regarding makeup. Small changes to their structure can affect how much friction they’re able to handle.

While not plastic, let’s use car brake pads as an example. Different brake pads have different stopping distances. They’re all using remarkably similar materials to stop your car.

Which brings us to…

High and Low Friction Materials: The Differences

Let’s keep talking about brake pads. Brake pads all use similar materials to help stop your car. However, altering those materials ever-so-slightly can affect stopping distances. Higher friction materials stop cars faster than lower friction materials.

High friction materials generate more heat, have rougher surfaces, and can have both longer and shorter lifespans than their low friction counterparts.

For the most part, when you’re dealing with friction, everything makes logical sense. Rougher materials have more valleys and hills that catch on other materials. Rubbing your hands together gets the extra-heat point across, and material lifespan changes due to various factors like hardness, specific application, etc.

Shopping for Friction Materials

Choosing the right friction material for your application ensures you’re operating both safe and efficient machinery. Subtle differences between high and low friction materials mandate that you’re hyper-aware of what you’re buying.

It’s possible for parts to come in a variety of friction levels. The wrong amount of friction could have severe consequences for your application. Our experts can help ensure you’re picking the right part for your needs, every time.

Let us help you get shopping today.

Heavy machinery is expensive to buy, specialized to use, and costly to fix when broken. It’s the most significant investment your company makes.

As a member of an industrial team, you understand how vital equipment is to keep the team running. Equipment breakdowns cause the whole process to grind to a halt.

But there are things you can do to keep your heavy industrial equipment in prime condition. Regular maintenance and proper care may add years of useful life to your equipment.

Check out our industrial equipment service and maintenance guide below.

1. Cleanliness Is King

Creating a clean environment for your machinery improves the lifespan of the machine. And it’s good for your workers too. Employees work better in clean work environments.  

Filters and seals keep sensitive parts and electronics free from debris. Make sure you check and clean them every day.

Keep your machinery cabins clean. Dirty breathing filters inside the cabin put your employees at risk. Educate employees that cleanliness is king when it comes to keeping equipment safe.

2. Stay on a Schedule

Set up a regular maintenance schedule that includes daily cleaning checks.

Check oil and lubricants often to ensure they aren’t running low or running dirty. Tighten bolts on a regular basis as they tend to slip over time. Any area of the machine that involves a lot of friction needs a thorough inspection on a daily basis.

Keep a good log of your checks. Include the date, all tests made, and record what was fixed or replaced. This log comes in handy if you ever have any big breakdowns.

3. Heed the Manufacturer’s Suggestions

When you’re making out your maintenance schedule, consult with your manufacturer for timelines.

Standard equipment should come with a manual. For specialized equipment, call or email the rep at the manufacturer. They will give you a timeframe to replace parts. And how often to check lubricants, seals, and filters.

Don’t push it to the end. Keep your routine maintenance schedule up to date and stay on top of issues before they worsen.

4. Keep Your Eyes and Ears Open

A critical part of preventative maintenance is the eyes and ears test. How does your machinery look? Does it sound okay?

Every machinery inspection should begin with a visual once-over of major systems. If you’re familiar with your equipment, you’ll spot wear and tear right away. If you hear strange sounds like brakes squealing, you know there’s a problem.

Don’t wait until scheduled maintenance if something doesn’t look or sound right. Report the problem and get it fixed right away.

5. Use and Store It Properly

Never use equipment for anything other than what it was made to do. Again, consult your manufacturer if you have questions. Improper use of equipment will most certainly shorten the lifespan of your industrial machines.

At the end of the day, store your machinery in a safe place. Avoid rust and deterioration from the elements by storing inside. If your machines are sensitive to heat and cold, store them in a temperature-controlled environment.

Maintain Industrial Equipment for a Longer Life

A little maintenance goes a long way with industrial equipment.

Make your employees aware of the importance of clean machinery. Create a routine maintenance schedule and stick to it. Consult your manufacturer to determine how often parts and fluids need replacement.

Not only do you need a schedule, but you need to keep your eyes and ears open for signs of wear and tear. Fix things before they get out of hand for better results. And always use your equipment correctly and store it in a safe place when not in use.

Follow these tips and your industrial equipment will give you years of excellent performance. If you’re in need of machinery repair or service, check out our services page to learn about all that we do at Kor-Pak.