When the end of the summer rolls around and the fall season begins, construction projects in parts of the U.S. starts to wind down as the ground begins freeze. If you live in one of those areas, you will have pieces of equipment that will sit idle for a few months. While larger operations can simply subtract machines from their fleet to save on storage costs, smaller construction companies need to find a temporary home for these machines. Here are some things to consider when parking a machine for a while.
When you store machines, it doesn't mean they are going to be out-of-sight-out-of-mind. Instead, machines sitting idle still need to be maintained.
Be sure to have the correct fluids to handle temperatures that drop below freezing. Also, you will need to protect against animals that can cause damage such as rodents and insects. You don't want to pull the machine out of storage only to discover a family of mice have moved in. Besides just being plain disgusting, mice can eat insulation off the wiring causing electrical damage.
Places to store equipment can range from your own f, a local dealer, and even property owned by a client. Depending on where you choose to park machines for an extended period of time, be sure to keep these tips in mind.
- Store equipment so you can start the engine if needed
- Store equipment off the ground
- Protect equipment from the elements if possible
- Store equipment away from potential hazards
- Lock up the equipment
If you discover you're spending more time storing equipment than actually using the machines, you may want to consider renting over owning. The amount of time and money spent storing equipment may not be worth the convenience of owning the machines.
Renting equipment also allows your company to be more flexible with the type of work you can do.
If you can't store equipment on your property and need to find a place to park your machines, look for an area with easy access. You want to be able to get to your machines without hassle. Make sure you have your storage agreement in writing detailing everything from storage rates to compensation in the event equipment is damaged.
Check in on your equipment. A storage company is more likely to keep an eye on your machines if they know you will be around to make sure it is being taken care of.
