CEM Maintenance & Repair Strategies 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of establishing equipment 'criticality rankings' in a maintenance program?
- To determine resale order when disposing of assets
- To prioritize maintenance resources toward equipment with the greatest impact on operations (Correct answer)
- To rank operators by skill level for machine assignments
- To comply with OSHA reporting requirements
Correct 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.
Question 2: Which factor MOST directly increases the risk of hydraulic system contamination?
- Operating equipment in cold temperatures
- Improper filter maintenance and poor fluid handling practices (Correct answer)
- Using manufacturer-approved hydraulic fluid
- Operating at manufacturer-rated load limits
Correct 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.
Question 3: A major overhaul of a diesel engine is BEST justified when:
- The engine reaches 500 operating hours regardless of condition
- Compression tests, oil consumption, and wear analysis indicate performance has degraded beyond acceptable limits (Correct answer)
- The operator reports reduced cab comfort
- Fuel prices rise significantly
Correct 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.
Question 4: What is 'condition-based maintenance' (CBM)?
- Maintenance performed based solely on calendar intervals
- Maintenance triggered by actual equipment condition data rather than fixed schedules (Correct answer)
- Maintenance performed only after operator complaints
- Maintenance outsourced based on contract conditions
Correct 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.
Question 5: Which practice BEST reduces unplanned downtime caused by undercarriage wear on crawler equipment?
- Operating only on paved surfaces
- Tracking chain tension adjustments and rotating undercarriage components at regular intervals (Correct answer)
- Replacing the entire undercarriage annually
- Limiting machine travel speed to under 3 mph at all times
Correct 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.
Question 6: When calculating the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for a piece of construction equipment, which costs must be included?
- Purchase price only
- Purchase price, operating costs, maintenance costs, and disposal costs over the asset's life (Correct answer)
- Annual insurance premiums only
- Operator wages and fuel costs only
Correct 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.
Question 7: What is a 'maintenance float' in heavy equipment fleet management?
- Reserve cash fund for emergency repairs
- Spare equipment held in inventory to substitute for machines undergoing scheduled maintenance (Correct answer)
- The time delay between a failure and repair completion
- A rotating schedule of operators for each machine
Correct 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.
CEM Maintenance & Repair Strategies 5
What is the purpose of establishing equipment 'criticality rankings' in a maintenance program?