MORE often than not machinery may only be used for an hour a day at most, this comes with both positives and negatives. On the up side the machine isn’t worked into the ground, on the flipside it’s not always good to leave an engine sitting.

To ensure the longevity of your machinery be diligent about getting it serviced every year. Most machinery will have a mileage counter on it and a sticker indicating when it is due to be serviced. As a rule, you should always get your machinery serviced once a year by a reputable mechanic that is familiar with the type of machinery you have.

A service is quite straightforward and will usually just involve greasing all of the pivot points and wear points and changing the oil and filters. It is also important to make sure you keep on top of changing the hydraulics filters. Keep an eye out for anything strange or broken parts that will need to be replaced.

Most machines have electrics in them, which is another reason to keep them dry and stored away in the shed when they are not in use to avoid water damage. It is a good idea to keep a maintenance record of all work that has been done to the vehicle. This way it will be easy to remember when it is due a service.

The easiest way you can help keep your machinery in good running order is keeping it dry. Storing machinery in a shed and keeping it covered from the rain when it is not being used will really extend its lifespan.