CEM Maintenance & Repair Strategies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which maintenance strategy uses real-time sensor data to predict when equipment failure is likely to occur?
- Preventive maintenance
- Predictive maintenance (Correct answer)
- Corrective maintenance
- Deferred maintenance
Correct answer: Predictive maintenance
Predictive maintenance uses condition monitoring and sensor data to forecast failures before they occur, reducing unplanned downtime.
Question 2: What is the primary goal of a Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) program?
- Reduce labor costs by outsourcing repairs
- Maximize equipment effectiveness by involving all employees (Correct answer)
- Extend warranty periods on new equipment
- Eliminate the need for scheduled maintenance
Correct answer: Maximize equipment effectiveness by involving all employees
TPM engages all employees, including operators, in maintenance activities to maximize Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
Question 3: A fleet manager notices hydraulic fluid consumption has doubled over three months. What is the BEST first step?
- Replace all hydraulic pumps immediately
- Conduct a fluid leak audit and inspection of hydraulic lines and seals (Correct answer)
- Switch to a higher-viscosity fluid
- Increase the fluid reservoir capacity
Correct answer: Conduct a fluid leak audit and inspection of hydraulic lines and seals
A systematic leak audit identifies the source of abnormal consumption before committing to costly part replacements.
Question 4: In the context of repair decision-making, the 'repair vs. replace' analysis should consider:
- Only the immediate repair cost
- Repair cost, remaining useful life, and replacement cost (Correct answer)
- Operator preference and brand loyalty
- Manufacturer's suggested retail price only
Correct answer: Repair cost, remaining useful life, and replacement cost
A complete repair-vs-replace analysis weighs the cost of repair against remaining useful life, future reliability, and the cost of a replacement unit.
Question 5: Which lubrication practice is considered BEST for extending bearing life in heavy equipment?
- Lubricating bearings only when squeaking is heard
- Following the manufacturer's recommended lubrication intervals and grease type (Correct answer)
- Using a single universal grease for all bearing types
- Greasing all bearings daily regardless of manufacturer specs
Correct answer: Following the manufacturer's recommended lubrication intervals and grease type
Adhering to manufacturer-specified intervals and grease specifications prevents over- or under-lubrication, both of which damage bearings.
Question 6: What does the acronym OEE stand for in equipment management?
- Overall Equipment Expenditure
- Operational Efficiency Estimate
- Overall Equipment Effectiveness (Correct answer)
- Optimized Engine Efficiency
Correct answer: Overall Equipment Effectiveness
OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) measures availability, performance, and quality to gauge how effectively equipment is utilized.
Question 7: When establishing a maintenance inspection frequency for a critical excavator, a CEM should primarily base the schedule on:
- The last time the equipment broke down
- Manufacturer recommendations, operating hours, and environmental conditions (Correct answer)
- The fleet's average age only
- Insurance policy requirements
Correct answer: Manufacturer recommendations, operating hours, and environmental conditions
Inspection frequency must account for manufacturer guidelines, actual operating hours accumulated, and the severity of the operating environment.
CEM Maintenance & Repair Strategies 2
Which maintenance strategy uses real-time sensor data to predict when equipment failure is likely to occur?