Construction equipment used daily needs proper cleaning and maintenance. However, the commonly used equipment, including gravel trucks, crane machines, loaders, and excavators, is so large that their cleaning is quite challenging.
You need special tools to properly clean this heavy machinery. The cleaning of this equipment is not just about removing the dirt or mud; there is more to consider, including safety precautions. Here we will provide you with a complete method that is required for the effective and efficient cleaning of construction equipment.
But first, let’s have a brief look at the benefits of this cleaning!
Benefits of Cleaning the Construction Equipments
The pressure washing of construction machinery has the following benefits;
- Increase the life of the equipment
- Enhance the equipment’s functionality
- To keep them maintained and well-shaped
- To avoid costly repair
- To make them safer for use
- For time-saving
- To remove the grease and oil that is impossible to remove otherwise
- To minimize the fuel consumption
These benefits are interrelated with the same results, which are improved performance of the equipment.
Method of Pressure Washing the Construction Equipment
Step 1: Let the Equipment Cool Down
The first and most important thing you need to do is to check if the machinery has been used in recent times or not. Usually, the used machines are too hot to handle or wash. So, make sure to take your time before the equipment cools down.
Step 2: Disassemble Machinery’s Removable Parts
For better cleaning, you can disassemble the removal parts of the machinery as you can’t reach every corner or place with them. Ensure that only the professional removes the parts if you are not the one.
Step 3: Set Your Pressure Washer
The pressure washer requires a proper hose, gun, nozzles, and other measurement sets. Tightly attach all the parts and set the PSI according to your requirement. For the heavy equipment, the hot water pressure washer with 5000 PSI is better than the smaller one, like 1700 psi 1.2 gpm.
Tip: The hot water pressure washer is more recommended as it can remove all the grease and oil more easily from the equipment than the cold one.
Step 4: Prepare the Surroundings
Before starting, the washing, make sure that your surrounding is covered with the cleaning pads and racks to prevent the water splashes. Open spaces are better for cleaning where nothing is around that will get dirty.
Step 5: Wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
PPE is the basic safety requirement while using the pressure washer. And the hot water pressure washer makes it even more necessary. Wear gloves, face and eye cover, footwear, and other things to keep you protected.
Step 6: Pre-Spray Pollutant Baked-On Detergent
Using simple detergents will give you excellent cleaning results. Before starting the washing, you can pre-spray some detergent solutions to soften the debris, dust, and other material. This will make your cleaning process easy.
Tip: Detergents are the safest option for cleaning construction equipment than other chemicals. This equipment has a complex system in them that can be damaged by other chemicals.
Step 7: Pressure Wash the Equipment
After doing everything required, you can now pressure wash your equipment from one part to another.
Step 8: Let the Equipment Dry & Reassemble Them
Before reassembling all the removable parts of the equipment, let everything dry out.
Final Verdict
The pressure washer of heavy construction equipment can be messy and hectic if you do not follow the proper guidelines. Hopefully, this basic and easy guide will improve your experience and make it more efficient.
