Are you considering upgrading or adding a new machine to your family of equipment? Before investing in a certain make or model, explore all of your options to truly find the piece of equipment best suited to you and your business. We’ve listed some of the most important factors to consider below to help you be sure that the equipment you’re investing in will continue to provide value for years to come.
1. Production- Is the equipment productive enough to handle the incoming waste stream or workload? What we really mean is, does the piece of equipment match up to your processing needs and have the ability to produce your desired end product? Will it be able to stand up to the capacity of your workload, and will it be able to grow with your business and your industry? Alternately, is the machine you’re considering simply too big for your needs, and will it create unnecessary downtime by inhibiting you from transporting it quickly and efficiently to your next job site? Does the machine require supporting equipment and multiple employees to help you get the job done? Having a piece of equipment you cannot operate efficiently because you don’t have proper supporting equipment or workforce is like having a big house but not enough furniture to fill it- either way, you are not going to get the maximum value out of it! Depending on your industry and your processing demands, it’s important to also consider the amount of setup time and daily inspection required to operate the machine safely. If you have to transport your machine multiple times throughout the day to different job sites, you won’t want to have a piece of equipment that requires intensive maintenance and setup time. You should also consider whether it’s more beneficial to have tracks or wheels on your machine. Tracks may provide greater on-site mobility, but wheels offer more ease of transport from one location to the next. Lastly, think about where you’re going to be operating your machine. If you work in a residential or municipal area, are there any noise restrictions you have to follow? If so, it’s important to find out if your manufacturer offers electric power options.
2. Simplicity of Operation/Maintenance- Is the design easy to operate, maintain, and service? Not only should you consider how much time it will take every day to perform routine maintenance procedures, but also how simple the machine is to inspect and work on. How much training is required to safely and effectively operate the machine? How much training will you have to undergo if you do not already know how to operate the machine? How many updates and new features will you have to maintain on your machine in order for it to run at its highest level of productivity? These are all questions you should take into consideration since routine maintenance, safety, and operation are some of the most deciding factors in the level of productivity that your machine will be able to give you.
3. Safety-Is the machine safe to operate, and does the manufacturer provide sufficient safety information? What is the manufacturer’s reputation for safety, and how familiar are you with the proper precautions that must be made when operating the equipment? Does the machine come supplied with an up-to-date operator’s manual, and will the manufacturer alert you to any new updates to parts and how to correctly perform maintenance that keeps the machine running safely? Educate yourself on thoroughly understanding the safety measures required for operation, and be sure that all members of your team are also up to date on the importance of ongoing safety training.