We’re always glad to talk to our customers, though we know that replacing parts and repairing equipment aren’t usually your ideas of fun. For that reason, this article suggests ways to realize the maximum possible value from your equipment and tools. Guess what? When a tool or piece of equipment breaks, the culprits are often either Mother Nature or ourselves.

Mother Nature’s Messes

The most common environmental factors that affect a tool or piece of equipment are:

• Extreme temperature
• Direct sunlight
• Dirt, dust, and mud
• Water

Obviously, it’s important to not leave your tools near water and mud, but also consider the long-term damage of exposing a tool to direct sunlight, freezing temperatures, and dust-laden environments. Thankfully, high-quality tools are designed to withstand the occasional splash of water and other elements. It’s the consistent negligence of a tool or equipment that can cause damage.

High-Quality Material Means Durability

Speaking of high-quality tools, when it’s time to purchase one, spend as much as you can afford. Although it’s natural to want to save money, don’t do so at the expense of quality. In general, the tools and equipment that are more expensive are that way because they are made with:

• Long-lasting materials
• Better design
• Sturdier housing

For example, a tool with tougher housing can better resist the invasion of dust or moisture that will damage the moving parts inside. A better-designed tool is less likely to have its internal components damaged if it’s dropped.

What You Don’t Know Can Hurt Your Tools

Construction equipment and tools can also suffer damage at the hands of untrained or negligent operators. For example:

• Using a tool at maximum power for an extended period of time can wear it out prematurely
• Using tools or equipment in ways they weren’t designed to handle
• Using incompatible accessories

It’s important to read the operation manual when you purchase a piece of equipment or a tool. It contains crucial information about:

• Calibration
• Maintenance
• Safety warnings
• Troubleshooting

If you’re unsure of anything, request a demo with one of our experts.

Tips to Extend Tool Life

Hanging on to your tools for a long time can seem like a losing battle against Father Time and Mother Nature. However, your ammunition is to be proactive in cleaning, maintenance, and storage.

Regular Maintenance

Get in the habit of starting the workday with a daily checklist of your machinery. This can help you spot worn-out parts. You’ll have time to get the part replaced, saving you from unexpected breakdowns.

Other maintenance routines include:

• Servicing and calibrating tools and equipment on schedule
• Maintaining fluid and oil levels
• Greasing parts
• Cleaning away dust, dirt, and mud
• Replacing fuel filters, chains, and belts

Pay Attention

Working at a fast pace can be the enemy of your tools and equipment because you might not notice what’s right in front of you:

• Noise—If you hear any strange noises, like grinding, popping, or whining, stop using the machine and get it checked out immediately. Make sure employees know to report unusual noise or behavior of equipment.
• Wear and Tear—Replace worn-out drill bits and saw blades. Using them causes the tool to work harder, wearing it out sooner.
• Heat—When you’re working with a tool, feel the battery pack frequently. If it’s hot, stop using the tool and let it cool down. This also applies to the gear box of any machine you’re operating.

Before leaving the worksite for the day, make sure all tools are stored away or at least covered up to protect them from dust and dirt. If possible, keep tools and equipment in a temperature-controlled area.

Pro Tool & Supply’s Parts and Repair Shop

Over time, even well-made tools and equipment need repairs. Whether your equipment was purchased with Pro Tool & Supply or not, our equipment parts and repairs departments are available to you. It could only be necessary to replace a broken or worn-out part, however Pro technicians can check the condition of the surrounding parts, as they could have caused the problem in the first place. Pro experts regularly receive the latest information from manufacturers, so they can keep you informed of warranty and repair issues.

We are proud to boast an impressive lineup of solutions to keep you on schedule, including:

• Factory-trained repair shop technicians
• Extensive inventory of OEM parts
• Additional services, such as replacement rental equipment and 24/7 emergency service
• Fast shipping for special parts orders from manufacturers
• On-site servicing for large pieces of equipment

Contact Us for Parts and Repairs

We’d love to get to know you at Pro Tool & Supply. We stock construction equipment and tool parts from Bosch, DeWalt, Husqvarna, and hundreds more. Our OEM parts specialists are readily available by phone or email at parts@theprogroupinc.com to discuss your specific equipment.

If you have equipment in need of repair, our repairs department expert mechanics can help. We provide on-site or in-house repair services for brands like Chicago Pneumatic, Genie, and Magnum – just to name a few of the dozens of brands we can work on. Contact us or call 1-888-776-0007 to speak with an expert.