Maintenance & Repair Strategies Flashcards

What is the purpose of establishing equipment 'criticality rankings' in a maintenance program?

Answer: To prioritize maintenance resources toward equipment with the greatest impact on operations

Criticality ranking ensures that limited maintenance resources are directed first toward machines whose failure would have the most severe operational, safety, or financial consequences.

Which factor MOST directly increases the risk of hydraulic system contamination?

Answer: Improper filter maintenance and poor fluid handling practices

Neglecting filter changes and using improper fluid handling (such as open containers or dirty funnels) introduces particles and moisture that degrade hydraulic system components.

A major overhaul of a diesel engine is BEST justified when:

Answer: Compression tests, oil consumption, and wear analysis indicate performance has degraded beyond acceptable limits

Objective diagnostic data including compression test results, excessive oil consumption, and oil analysis findings confirm when an engine overhaul is technically necessary.

What is 'condition-based maintenance' (CBM)?

Answer: Maintenance triggered by actual equipment condition data rather than fixed schedules

CBM uses real-time or periodic condition monitoring data (vibration, temperature, oil analysis) to initiate maintenance only when equipment condition warrants it.

Which practice BEST reduces unplanned downtime caused by undercarriage wear on crawler equipment?

Answer: Tracking chain tension adjustments and rotating undercarriage components at regular intervals

Regular tension checks and systematic component rotation (such as rotating track shoes and rollers) ensure even wear distribution, extending undercarriage life and preventing unexpected failures.

When calculating the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for a piece of construction equipment, which costs must be included?

Answer: Purchase price, operating costs, maintenance costs, and disposal costs over the asset's life

TCO encompasses all costs across the asset's lifecycle, including acquisition, fuel, maintenance, repairs, downtime losses, and eventual disposal or resale proceeds.

What is a 'maintenance float' in heavy equipment fleet management?

Answer: Spare equipment held in inventory to substitute for machines undergoing scheduled maintenance

A maintenance float is a pool of standby machines used to replace units taken out of service for maintenance, ensuring project production targets are not interrupted.