Is It Time to Replace That Truck?

If you have attended any of our workshops in the past you will remember that the cost of equipment replacement is literally the second highest cost of doing business within the entire company.  Translated, that means knowing the best time to replace equipment is critical.  Now if you have been keeping detailed records on your vehicles, knowing when to replace your truck should be a fairly simple process.  That is the good news.  The bad news is that few contractors keep detailed records therefore replacement becomes somewhat random.

Just because the company hasn’t kept good records in the past does not mean it has to continue that way in the future.  Below you will find several suggested areas you might want to consider tracking in the future.

♦ Perform “Regular” Maintenance – Increasing vehicle life begins with routine maintenance. Simple things like routine oil changes, tire rotation and wheel balancing/alignment.  Keep records and adhere to manufacturer recommendations.

♦ Record “Out of Service Breakdowns” – Begin recording breakdowns that cost the company hours and/or days out of the field. Unexpected breakdowns produce unhappy customers, disruptions in schedules and worse of all lost revenue.  Tracking these issues can help pinpoint equipment that is repeatedly causing problems.

♦ Keep Track of Maintenance Dollars by Vehicle – Tracking total maintenance dollars, by vehicle (as opposed to simply total maintenance dollars spent), can again single out individual problems that might not normally be noticed.

♦ Consider Assigning Specific Trucks to Specific Individuals – As we all know, accountability can pay huge dividends. Assigning specific vehicles to specific individuals creates a sense of ownership.  The driver then develops a feeling of pride resulting in their taking better care of “their” vehicle.  The result is a better maintained vehicle that will last longer therefore saving the company money.

♦ Incentive Programs for Good Driving Records – There is a reason large manufacturing companies have developed safety programs tied to specific incentives/rewards. It promotes a sense of “safety” awareness while providing a safer environment for employees to work in.

Setting specific goals (“X” months without an accident, routine maintenance, washing the vehicle, etc.) can easily be measured and tied into incentive rewards.  Keep in mind the age-old principle of “Inspect what you expect”.

Maintaining vehicles may not sound glamorous but getting an additional year or two of life out of a vehicle can dramatically affect the bottom line of your company.