Tight margins and demanding schedules mean contractors need every machine ready when the next project starts. One strategy that contractors can employ this upcoming season is to align with equipment and technology experts who have strong connections with original equipment manufacturers (OEM). With close alignment on goals for the year, an equipment dealer can assist in reducing fleet downtime and increasing overall productivity.
1. Connect Machines to Fleet Management Software (FMS)
Not every machine in your fleet may be automatically connected to an FMS. Your dealer can help connect non-OEM machines and aggregate data from multiple sources using APIs.
When a fleet manager sets up their machine monitoring system that integrates their mixed fleet, they can track strategic data sets, like fuel usage, or set up machine health alerts for issues like low coolant.
Collaborate with your dealer to turn machine data into actionable insights. From utilization metrics like fuel consumption and operating hours to productivity data such as production modes and technology usage, your dealer can help you benchmark your fleet’s performance and identify areas for improvement. This ensures you’re running a right-sized fleet and getting the most out of every machine. Ask for training on relevant mobile apps so you can manage your fleet from anywhere.
2. Leverage Machine Monitoring Systems for Smarter Decisions
Unexpected downtime can derail a project when fleet managers need to schedule heavy equipment repairs. With machine monitoring, potential issues can be flagged before they become major problems, saving time and money. For example, RDO Equipment Co.’s Machine Health Monitoring Team recently identified a John Deere 850L dozer throwing low coolant pressure codes. After alerting the machine owner and their preferred service shop, a technician replaced the damaged coolant reservoir and discovered additional issues, all before catastrophic failure occurred.
3. Optimize Your FMS Dashboard and Online Parts Ordering Account
Your dealer can help you set up and optimize your FMS, no matter the software option. The operations center will have utilization reports that can help to benchmark each machine’s average production hours for specific tasks like dirt work. When a fleet manager and operators work together to understand this information in real-time, they can create reports and schedule dates in advance when they think they’ll need replacement parts or required service. Some dealers offer an online parts ordering account where fleet managers can set up regular parts delivery and automate record keeping for parts model numbers and costs.
4. Maximize Uptime with Planned Maintenance Programs
Even scheduled downtime can delay project when fleet managers need to heavy equipment repairs. That's why some fleet managers opt for pre-paid or pay-as-you-go planned maintenance programs. Options like pre-paid maintenance (locking in pricing) or pay as you go give flexibility while ensuring critical services are completed. Schedule downtime during off-peak periods to avoid costly delays.
5. Plan for the Pivot, Watch Economic Drivers
The dealer you partner with shouldn’t just be a service provider; it should be a strategic partner. Use their expertise to plan fleet replacements, monitor lease hours and stay informed about new technology that can boost productivity. There are many key economic drivers that will affect the industry this year — including interest rates, housing starts and continued government funding of some infrastructure projects — and the future remains opaque. However, a fleet manager can prepare to pivot when conditions change through regular conversation with their trusted dealer. In addition to scheduling regular check-ins with your dealer, consider adding these sources to a calendar reminder to reference on a weekly basis.
Follow housing starts shared by the National Association of Home Builders
Follow building material prices like steel on your preferred market tracking website.
Why It Matters This Year
Contractors face tight margins and demanding schedules. Partnering with your dealer for heavy equipment repair services, machine monitoring systems and data-driven decisions helps reduce downtime, control costs and keep projects on track.
