Service Tips: Small steps, big results
Elevating small engine maintenance for rental centers.
by Lee Tice
In the fast-paced world of rental centers, reliable equipment isn’t just an advantage – it’s a necessity. Small engines power the essential tools of the trade from compact loaders to light towers. Yet, keeping these engines running smoothly requires more than routine service schedules. It demands proactive partnerships between rental centers and their customers.
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| Small engines power the essential tools of the trade from compact loaders to light towers. Yet, keeping these engines running smoothly requires more than routine service schedules. It demands proactive partnerships between rental centers and their customers. |
By emphasizing daily maintenance, tailoring care to environmental conditions and leveraging education, rental centers can extend equipment life, minimize downtime and enhance customer satisfaction. Here are five key strategies to achieve those goals.
1. Start every day with a quick pre-use inspection.
Daily pre-use inspections are the cornerstone of good maintenance practices. These checks, performed consistently by renters, can catch small issues before they turn into costly repairs.
Rental center staff should highlight the importance of monitoring oil levels as low oil can lead to catastrophic engine failure within hours of use. Air filters too should be inspected regularly to ensure they are clean and unobstructed, preventing harmful dust and debris from damaging the engine’s internal components.
Other critical steps include checking coolant and hydraulic fluid levels to maintain performance and greasing moving parts to reduce wear.
Making these practices accessible and user-friendly can greatly improve compliance. Rental centers can provide renters with easy-to-understand maintenance checklists or instructions tailored to the equipment they are using. For example, placing QR codes on machines that link to short instructional videos that show exactly how to perform each step could increase daily maintenance adherence. These resources empower renters to take ownership of daily maintenance tasks.
2. Make maintenance simple with clear customer education.
Not all renters are mechanically inclined, so it’s essential for rental centers to educate them about small engine maintenance. A simple orientation at the time of rental can go a long way, where staff can walk renters through essential tasks like checking fluids and cleaning air filters. Providing quick-start guides, either printed or digital, can reinforce these instructions once renters are on the jobsite.
For more advanced equipment such as those with diesel particulate filters (DPF), it is vital to explain features such as regeneration cycles and their importance. Renters unfamiliar with these newer systems or those on a tight timeline might think nothing about overriding a regen cycle. However, this practice can cause equipment to enter limp mode, which requires diagnostics to reset. Clear communication about these features prevents misuse and ensures renters can fully utilize the equipment without issues. When renters understand how neglect can lead to costly breakdowns or delayed projects, they are more likely to adopt proactive maintenance habits.
3. Adjust maintenance practices to match environmental conditions.
Environmental conditions often dictate how maintenance should be approached. Equipment operating in hot, dusty environments such as construction sites in the Southwest requires more frequent attention to air filters. Dust and debris can clog filters, leading to an issue known as “dusting,” where particles bypass the filter and damage engine components. Regularly cleaning or replacing air filters in these environments is critical to preserving engine health.
Similarly, extreme cold conditions can impact engine performance and require the use of cold-weather oils, winterized diesel additives and other climate-specific fluids. Rental centers can provide renters with advice on selecting and using these products to protect equipment during harsh weather. By tailoring maintenance recommendations to match the operating environment, rental centers can help customers get the most out of the equipment while minimizing wear and tear.
4. Hold customers accountable with systems that promote care.
Encouraging customers to consistently follow maintenance practices requires a blend of accountability and support. Rental centers can introduce systems that make it easier for renters to stay on top of daily checks. For example, equipment can be equipped with QR codes that renters scan each day to log their inspections. This system not only ensures that maintenance is being performed but also provides a record that protects both the rental center and the customer in case of disputes about equipment condition.
Incentives can also be a powerful motivator. Offering discounts or credits to renters who adhere to recommended maintenance schedules can encourage compliance. These systems and incentives reinforce the message that maintaining equipment is a shared responsibility, helping both parties avoid costly repairs and downtime.
5. Inspect and service equipment after every rental.
The maintenance process does not end when equipment is returned. Post-rental inspections are essential to ensure that machines are ready for their next use. Rental center staff should carefully inspect each machine for signs of hidden damage or wear that customers may have missed. Replacing fluids and filters is especially important for equipment that has been used in extreme conditions, as these elements are more likely to degrade quickly.
By logging all service and repairs performed on the equipment, rental centers can maintain detailed histories that are invaluable for tracking performance and planning future maintenance. This step also reassures customers that the equipment they rent is in peak condition, building trust and loyalty over time.
The path to proactive maintenance
Small engine maintenance is a shared responsibility between rental centers and their customers. By focusing on education, accountability and tailored care, rental centers can protect their investments while ensuring that their equipment consistently performs at its best. With these proactive strategies, rental centers can not only keep their fleets running smoothly but also enhance the customer experience, proving that small steps truly lead to big results.
Lee Tice is a senior product manager for JCB North America.
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