5 Ways to Handle Your Repair Costs

Benjamin Franklin once said nothing is certain in life but death and taxes. Any heavy equipment owner would likely add repairs to that list, too. Here are five things you can do to keep costs under control:

1. Turn on the telematics. Use it to identify repairs before failure. Even basic systems provide daily fault codes so you can catch small issues before they become big problems.

2. Stick to a schedule. Regular preventive maintenance can cut equipment repair bills by 25 percent. The Operation & Maintenance Manual outlines the manufacturer's recommended schedule -- take it seriously.

3. Eliminate idle time. Idling puts unproductive hours on a machine's engine, causing components to wear out more quickly. Use auto-idle technology and auto shutdown systems.

4. Run it right. One of the easiest ways to avoid unnecessary repairs is to make sure operators know their stuff. Allot time for thorough walkarounds before climbing into the cab.

5. Weigh your parts options. Check if your dealer offers maintenance agreements for fixed-cost service at regular intervals. Remanufactured parts often provide same-as-new performance at a less-than-new price.