Equipment Storage Tips for Business Owners

Did you know to keep your business equipment in good shape, you need to perform regular maintenance? Business owners need to store their equipment and perform regular maintenance.

If you want to learn about organizing equipment for work, we can help. In this guide, we’ll go over some effective equipment storage tips.

Want to learn more? Keep reading.

You’ll Need the Proper Storage Supplies

You will need bins and shelving, depending on your inventory. You’ll also need supplies that will protect your investment.

Business owners tend to have the product shipped to the storage facility. Some owners will bring it from the office or home, so packing it for transit’s critical.

Damaged inventory won’t bring in profit. Make sure you pack the items right the first time. For large equipment, figure out what you’ll need to properly store them.

Where will you store the items? If you need a new unit, consider shipping containers.

Load Your Unit

Retrieving your business items with ease is critical. You need to consider the placement of all the items in your unit. Keep critical inventory and documents off the floor and away from walls.

You can use wooden pallets to keep items off the floor. Also, wooden pallets will provide ventilation and make an aisle in the middle of your unit. You’ll have an easier time accessing items.

Use the height of your unit. Do you have large equipment you won’t access for a little while? Do you have a lot of office furniture? Store these items in the back of your unit.

When you store boxes, place the sturdiest and heaviest boxes at the bottom, and stack your lighter boxes on top.

You should also keep accessibility at the forefront. Position equipment, so it’s easily accessible. If the equipment has been in storage for a few years, you will need to fire it up at least once a year.

Make sure you have identification numbers so you can easily identify items. You should have enough space between machinery in storage. This will prevent collisions when you move equipment in and out.

Maintain Accurate Records

Keep a detailed report of the items you own. You should have a master list of inventory, and you should also know what equipment you have in stock.

Make sure you carefully arrange inventory and equipment.

Clean Items Before Storing Them

Debris and dirt can affect heavy equipment. Foreign particles can get inside moving parts and end up prematurely wearing them down.

Salt, dirt, and other substances can eat at the paint and protective coating.

You should make sure you clean your equipment before you store them. This way, you can prevent any premature problems.

Try Using Lock-Out Protocols

Industrial equipment’s dangerous. You can avoid an accidental startup while it’s in storage. Use lock-out and tag-out protocols. Tag-out devices will warn an employee to keep from turning the machine on.

A lock-out device keeps the machine from turning on without an unlocking mechanism.

These practices protect employees from getting hurt by the equipment while in storage. It will also protect the machine from harmful and unauthorized use.

Add Air to the Tires

Are you storing equipment with tires? You should add air to the tires, so they are a little more than overinflated.

The tires won’t go flat while in storage. Often, tires can flatten if they sit on a concrete floor in a warehouse.

You could store heavy equipment lifted off the ground, and this way, weight isn’t placed on the tires.

Make Sure to Lubricate Moving Parts

Before you put industrial equipment in storage, lubricate and clean the moving parts.

You should read the owner’s manual. Learn about the suggestions for lubrication. Lubricating the moving parts before storing equipment will keep it in good shape.

You can use the equipment right away and start it.

Repair Damage Right Away

It’s typical for heavy equipment to undergo some damage over its lifespan. If the damage is only minor and hasn’t affected its ability to function, it’s easier to overlook the problem.

Yet minor damage can cause big problems. Don’t let the problem sit unattended for a long time.

You should bring in a professional who can inspect your equipment. A technician will be able to spot any potential problems.

Don’t Forget About Maintenance

You should maintain your industrial equipment so it will remain operational. Look at your owner’s manual to find out the required maintenance.

You should perform maintenance before you store any equipment. This way, you can use the machine as soon as it’s recommissioned.

Call in a technician to perform the maintenance work if you don’t have time to do it.

What About the Fuel Levels?

If you store equipment with a fuel tank, you’ll need to check the fuel levels before you store it.

Storing industrial equipment during colder months needs a few extra steps. You should top off the fuel tank. This way, no condensation will form. Condensation can end up contaminating the fuel lines.

For spring storage, you should drain the fuel from the tank. You can prevent the accumulation of rust and gum deposits.

Use These Equipment Storage Tips

We hope these equipment storage tips were helpful. Consider how you can store the items in your unit.

You’ll want to make sure you have an inventory list of what’s inside your storage unit. Make sure you clean the equipment before placing it inside the unit.

Are you looking for more business tips? Check out the different resources on the blog today.