Parts Connection April 2025 | Page 14

and separation.
Maintenance Requirements:
• Daily: Clean spray nozzles to prevent clogging and ensure even application. Check pumps and hoses for leaks or damage.
• Weekly: Inspect and clean filters to maintain proper flow rates.
• Monthly: Calibrate spray systems to ensure accurate application rates.
External Factors: Weather, Inspection and Cost
Knowing equipment parts and functions is the foundation of preventative maintenance, but external factors matter too. Operating in rain, snow or extreme heat accelerates wear, impacts performance and can lead to breakdowns if crews aren’ t prepared. Using hightemperature lubricants in the summer or winter-grade hydraulic fluids in colder months helps protect equipment from weather-related damage.
Inspections may seem like just another step in a busy workday, but skipping them is costly. A screed inspection might cost a few hundred dollars, while a full-screed replacement can run into the thousands. Catching small issues early isn’ t just about maintenance— it’ s about avoiding major financial setbacks.
At the end of the day, paving itself is costly, but machinery breakdowns are even worse. Asphalt equipment is built to last, but neglect can turn a 20-year machine into a 10-year machine, cutting its lifespan in half. The parts will wear, but a well-maintained fleet keeps projects moving efficiently, reduces downtime and prevents expensive repairs.
14 • 515-955-1600 • April 2025