Avoid downtime with regular engine maintenance

Perkins has been providing reliable diesel engines to power machinery used in the mining, construction, agriculture and utilities industries since 1932. With AllightSykes as the company’s Australian distributor since 2007, Perkins has a strong presence in mining operations Down Under.

With engine capacity ranging from 0.5 litres to 61 litres in electric power, Perkins offers one of the widest range from a single supplier improving reliability and performance in harsh environments, such as mine sites.

Perkins engines are tough and dependable – but they, as with all engines, benefit from regular care and attention and it’s important to ensure your equipment is maintained. Regular maintenance is the best way of ensuring your engine lasts as long as possible. Straightforward daily checks are recommended plus in-depth weekly and monthly engine inspections which help flag up potential problems before they lead to major repairs. Maintenance schedules vary from engine to engine, and specific guidance is given in your engine’s Operation and Maintenance Manual which is available on the Perkins® My Engine App. 

Maintaining your Perkins engine is the key to its optimum performance. Slight changes in performance can easily go unnoticed, often a drop of 20 per cent in performance can happen before the operator notices. Missing service intervals can lead to reduction in performance, let alone the worst case of a vital part failing.

Each engine we supply comes with a detailed list of checks for you to carry out at set intervals. The performance checks required will vary by engine type and operating conditions, so it is wise to ensure the checks and frequency are right for your engine.

The regular checks that you need to carry out fall into daily and weekly categories, along with regular servicing at specified intervals. They all have the same aim of helping your engine run as long as possible at maximum efficiency. No two schedules are exactly the same, so you should always check the schedule for your particular engine. 

It’s also worth noting that the checks either relate to the calendar time or the hours your engine has been running. Checks should take place far more often on an engine in almost constant use than for one used occasionally. So, for example, changing the engine coolant is recommended every two years – but it will need attention sooner if your engine runs for 3,000 hours, which is the equivalent of running 24/7 for just over four months.

Remember, the daily checks are just as important as the regular servicing.

Regular maintenance is especially important on pumpsets. Pumpsets play a very important role in the dewatering space where it is critical to move large volumes of water without interruption. It’s important to invest wisely – be it a mine site or irrigation – so you can have confidence in the reliability of your purchase and know it will continue running smoothly.

It’s also important to consider what happens when your engine is not started for some time. Engines are designed to be used and need to be kept in good condition while not in use. For many of us, that means those moments where our machines will be parked for extended periods. When a machine is left unused, problems can start to develop that will prevent it from working properly when the time comes to start it up again. 

AllightSykes product line manager for engines, David Whincup, said “AllightSykes, through our network of branches and dealers, are able to offer a wide range of service options for our customers from standard servicing through to full customer service contracts. 

“Our technicians are certified by Perkins and trained in the latest engines available in Australia including the Tier 4 ranges coming in from the USA and Europe. 

“Our service branches are also able to offer technical support and advice – when you call us we have direct access to the factory information and are able to resolve issues quickly. 

“You can also access this information on the go with the Perkins My Engine App where you can view all of the maintenance schedules for your engine.” 

AllightSykes is proud to offer comprehensive local access and support to the complete range of Perkins engines and Perkins genuine parts across Australia. They are experts on all Perkins engines and happy to answer any question you may have. Give them a call today if you have any concerns about your engine or machine’s readiness. 

This Sponsored Editorial is brought to you by AllightSykes. For more information on Perkins Engines and Perkins genuine parts, contact AllightSykes at www.allightsykes.com, [email protected] or 1300 255 444.

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