Putzmeister offers customers a real time remote monitoring solution – Putzmeister Machine Cockpit for our truck-mounted concrete pump range. Customers can remotely keep track of their equipment’s location and activity, real-time, says Wilfried Theissen, Managing Director, Putzmeister India.

What makes maintenance important in construction equipment?

Maintenance is key if you are looking to get the best out of your equipment through the course of its service life. Well-maintained equipment will function efficiently and with minimal disruptions. In the longer run, higher uptimes and efficient performance will help deliver better returns on the initial cost of the equipment.

What are the key maintenance practices followed for the upkeep of concrete equipment? How do you see the maintenance activities during Covid times?

To avoid breakdowns during operation – risk of major disruptions because of concrete setting in the equipment – maintenance is crucial. Concrete pumps, batching plants and transit mixers come with their own prescribed maintenance guidelines and schedules. At Putzmeister, we offer our customers Annual Maintenance and Annual Service Contracts to help ensure that the equipment operates efficiently at all times. 

Unlike the lockdown during the same period last year (2020), construction activities are continuing in most places around the country. We don’t anticipate seeking a spike in issues related to unattended equipment just yet. That said, our customers can always visit our website, www.putzmeister.com and refer to our checklists for idle equipment.

How is predictive maintenance gaining importance in construction equipment? What are the latest technologies from Putzmeister for the maintenance of concrete equipment?

Predictive maintenance has been gaining traction among customers, especially those with a large fleet of equipment. Putzmeister offers customers a real time remote monitoring solution – Putzmeister Machine Cockpit for our truck-mounted concrete pump range. Customers can remotely keep track of their equipment’s location and activity, real-time. Key figures for delivery rate, machine use and fuel consumption enable customers to reduce unproductive times, wear and fuel consumption across their Putzmeister fleet. Alerts for critical machine conditions and remote diagnosis help all those involved to identify faults and implement appropriate measures quickly, saving valuable time. Messages for maintenance intervals and the upcoming replacement of spare parts preserve the machine value and prevent downtimes.

Our range of Puztmeister/Sany batching plants also offer customers the ability to remotely monitor the real -time operating status of their plant. Key performance figures help customers optimise their plant operations. 

How important is skill development in machine operation and maintenance? What are the initiatives from Putzmeister in this regard?

Trained operators make all the difference when it comes to operating and maintaining equipment. Our training centres regularly train equipment operators and site managers on equipment handling, operations and maintenance. We also work with IESC in helping skill and develop operators for concrete equipment.