Stuart Comments:
PM what does PM really mean? In some case it means lights out, afternoon or even after dark. In some cases its preventive maintenance service (PMS), but a lack of understanding at moment in time. It is clear that it has different meanings to each person who is responsible for the management or performing the process. Here are some variable definitions:
1. Preventive Maintenance Service: Is an act of inspection and repair of equipment. Inspect and determine what needs to be repaired—and it could mean fix everything in site and whatever you touch. The checkbook might be in the hands of the technicians.
2. Planned Money Spent. This is where you plan what you’re going to be spending during the PM. The process includes: How many hours and or minutes, better known as the making budget, the SRT’s as plan “A.” Plan “B” is then the determination of what managed repairs should be performed follwing the PM inspection—and this leads to number three.
3. Procrastination Maintenance Science: This is managed procrastination maintenance, making certain repair choices only when necessary, or freely translated, can we get to the next PM and maximize the potential life of tires, brakes and other components (never compromising safety of course). One must determine who will make those decisions, the mechanic, technician, lead man, shop management. All of these people will have an opinion, but all need to be on the same page. I am not inferring that employees are not capable of decision making, but all will have personal choices in repairs an opposed to necessary compromise of business and mechanical decisions. We tend to use the term “budget” as a management tactic. The question is what page we need to be on for maximum life, lowest cost and maximum uptime.
Which one is correct? You need a combination of the practices above to make PM management work. You need quality and consistent inspections. After the inspection is performed, and the necessary repairs determined, decide how to spend the money for parts and labor. At this point, begin the procrastination maintenance process. It is based on the opinion of the repairs or replacement parts you find can go to the next PM keeping in mind safety and operational objectives. So here is a suggestion: inspect the piece of equipment, determine the necessity of the repair and minimize downtime between PM’s. The goal is to go to PM-to-PM without a shop visit. Good luck, but that is the GOAL!
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