It is no surprise that with the global shortages that continue into 2022, finding quality hydraulics with optimal lead times can be challenging. When sourcing hydraulic repair shops or simply ordering parts, buyers want to find vendors that offer a one-stop shop for all their needs. We have listed three key ways to vet potential vendors to ensure that they meet every need.

1. Research the Vendors

Research vendors in the area to find vendors with the bulk of products needed to cut down on the number of orders placed and therefore the number of lead times and orders to track.

Also, look into a vendor’s warranties and policies. If you can find a hydraulic machine shop that sells high-quality hydraulics with extended warranties that can service those parts if and when needed, you can greatly cut down on spending while not sacrificing quality.

2. Know the Difference Between an OEM and a Parts Distributor

An Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) builds an entire machine. They are more than likely only fixing and selling those parts related to the hydraulic systems of the machines they manufacture.

A Parts Distributor is an authorized reseller of pieces and parts for many different machines. Distributors sell the components – pumps, motors, valves, hoses, seals – for all makes rather than just one specialty brand or product.

Sometimes hydraulic parts are purchased from these companies, but if you lack the ability to perform the labor, finding a Parts Distributor with a hydraulic machine shop can be beneficial since they are full service and specialize in hydraulics.

3. What is Considered a Better than Average Lead Time?

The million-dollar question as global shortages continue is how long is the lead time? Even when finding quality hydraulics, ensuring they will be delivered on time is equally important.

One to two weeks is an impressive turnaround time for products in hydraulic sales to arrive. To minimize tight timelines and wrong lead times, ordering as early as possible is always the best bet. Because of global shortages, some lead times are up to 42 weeks.

Ask potential vendors prior to purchasing what their lead time is for any given project. Make sure that you understand fully how long a part will take to arrive and therefore how any delays could impact your project. It may be just the thing needed to help choose between two potential vendors as well.

When purchasing hydraulic parts, buyers need a company that makes the process as seamless as possible. From ordering to servicing, that is what Yarbrough Industries specializes in. Yarbrough’s expertise allows them to provide quality hydraulics with an experienced service team so that a one-stop-shop can be obtainable.

When machines go down during a project, time is of the essence. Halting production means extending project timelines resulting in opportunity cost of missed time as well as the potentially high costs of repairs. And despite hand-picked teams of heavy machine operators, stonemasons, electricians, and other skilled tradesmen, many construction managers simply do not have hydraulics repair technicians on their roster. Getting hydraulics up and running quickly is essential to bringing projects in on time and under budget.

Hydraulic Equipment

This is not as easy as it may first seem. The operating conditions for hydraulic equipment can vary widely, even within the same location. Machines can differ on many components, including fluids, pressure, and temperature. And the construction of these devices is complex and multi-layered, with over 16 different hose types and numerous fittings from multiple manufacturers.

With so many variables to account for the problems that can lead to breakdowns are numerous. Some of the most common issues include hoses blowing off, cracking, bursting, or leaking. Simple everyday use can result in bends or kinks that damage the hose beyond repair, and even a regular maintenance schedule won’t eliminate the possibility of breakdowns. Normal wear and tear also gradually lowers the cylinder’s efficiency, so repair is beneficial to the machine even without a breakdown. Issues with the hydraulic cylinder can also damage the surrounding system components. In these cases, skilled and vetted technicians step in.

From Emergency Repair to Quality Repair

Many services offer emergency repair, but they are often ill-equipped to deal with hydraulic repair. These services often fail to fix the issue on the first visit and instead need to return with more equipment. When you’re operating on a project schedule, this back and forth simply won’t cut it. On-site services solve this problem by bringing everything needed for even advanced repair right to the breakdown location. They carry an expanded collection of hoses and fittings to accommodate any repair type that might be needed.

Not every hydraulics system is built the same, and some suppliers do not share the same standard for hoses or fittings sizes. In these cases custom fabrication can be done on the spot, resulting in the right size and shape for any job need. Using top-of-the-line Aeroquip custom materials, these hoses can be made quickly while you wait, eliminating the need to outsource or wait at a store. While common practice is to replace a hose with a duplicate, technicians can determine the cause of failure while performing repairs. And if standard use led to a hose breaking down earlier than anticipated, it is possible to replace it with a superior option. Quality tests are always run to ensure that all repairs are up to the highest standard.

The Yarbrough Difference

On-site service is the difference between getting hydraulics repair done and getting hydraulics repair done fast. The capabilities and selection of Yarbrough Industries mobile services ensure that technicians arrive on location with whatever tools and parts are needed and can get right to work. Every nuance of selection, repair, and even fabrication is taken care of. With expert technicians ready to work right away, machine breakdowns no longer have to grind production to a halt.

When construction equipment breaks, time and money rely on quick response. Project managers scramble for answers of who, how, and where to fix heavy equipment, but revenue ultimately depends on when construction equipment repair service can take action to find parts and labor to get a crew building again. 

Yarbrough Industries utilizes a team of experts to operate safe, efficient, and fast solutions for heavy construction equipment repair. The mobile repair service can arrive within hours on-site to fields and factories where equipment may lockdown. With two service trucks packed with parts, cranes, generators, testing equipment, and even welding gear,  the Yarbrough team is prepared to get most machines moving again. 

Machines

The mobile repair service at Yarbrough Industries is designed to service manufacturing and construction equipment on site. The repair team provides routine maintenance to fleets of equipment, service check-ups to manufacturing machines, and full on-site heavy construction equipment repairs. The team specializes in hydraulics with over 50 years of experience in diagnosing, repairing, and rebuilding key components of construction equipment that utilize hydraulic power. 

Parts

The mobile-service trucks at Yarbrough are prepared for quick fixes and loaded with common parts for construction and farm equipment. The truck has a crane prepared to lift a machine or remove heavy top components to access the inner mechanisms that need attention. The truck also carries a generator for power, and testing equipment to measure the power output of specific components. 

For hydraulic repairs, testing equipment is crucial for diagnosing problems and replacing specific parts that may be the root of the issue. The repair team keeps common part replacements for valves and hoses and also carries hydraulic oil. The team also can perform small welding jobs as needed. The mobile truck can have construction equipment ready to work within hours of arrival. 

If less common replacement parts are needed, the mobile service team can utilize the extensive inventory at Yarbrough Industries. The main service center is stocked with thousands of parts to replace components on demand. When a piece is not in stock, the Yarbrough team has an extensive network of partners and wholesalers that can help locate and ship rare and sometimes discontinued pieces to help keep work crews in motion. 

Parts purchased from Yarbrough Industries or installed by mobile repair teams are guaranteed for one year of service. 

Service

Yarbrough Industry is a small shop that brings midwest hospitality to every repair site. The repair team has over 50 years of experience with hydraulic equipment and additional years of service with small components and large machines. The mobile repair team provides a range of services from regular maintenance to large fleets of heavy construction equipment to on-demand urgent repairs to farm equipment. The repair team proudly serves the region to keep their neighbors building great things for families and communities. 

From bid to completion, the Yarbrough service team brings professional experts to projects that keep our clients building bigger and better communities. 

Few problems can derail project timelines as quickly as equipment breakdowns. Heavy construction equipment repair can be a challenge, especially when a hand-picked work crew of the best engineers, architects, and craftsmen are on schedule to build. Mobile construction equipment repair can supplement skills and fill a gap in crew experience to ensure projects continue on time and under budget.

Many construction managers turn to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) when breakdowns occur, but a local repair service can offer fast and affordable repairs without sacrificing quality in parts or experience in service.

Mobile construction equipment repair services offer four key benefits to improve operations.

Experience

Technician knowledge is essential not only for on-site safety but for proper installations that endure. Mobile services employ skilled and highly trained repair staff who prioritize site safety and project timelines. Local repair service technicians have years of on-site experience working with agricultural and heavy equipment varieties with in-depth knowledge of hydraulics.

Mobile construction equipment repair from a local service center makes good sense. Local partners have a network of retailers to find and ship the right parts faster and consult with experts to troubleshoot common problems or solve complex issues.

Convenience

On-site repair service means the repair team arrives prepared to get heavy equipment moving. When large construction equipment breaks down, moving a machine to an OEM is impossible. Often teams work to break down large machines to extract a part that is perceived to have failed, but guessing which part needs replacing can be a frustrating game.

Specifically, when working with hydraulics, a range of problems can hide the real issue. Most would guess a breakdown is related to the motor because the motor stops moving, but the actual fix can be different. A hydraulic motor will stop working when the pump, hose, or valve fails to perform efficiently. A mobile hydraulic repair service provider can quickly assess issues and holistically repair hydraulics with years of service to the industry.

Independent shops offer a large inventory of factory-guaranteed parts. On-site repair teams keep standard valves and hoses in their repair vehicles. The repair vehicles also have a crane to help maneuver equipment or lift a hood or cover to better access internal components of heavy equipment. The team also brings hydraulic oil and testing equipment to measure the performance of hydraulic components. The repair team can even do minor welding work on-site. In short, a mobile equipment repair service arrives in any field or factory site prepared to get heavy equipment and work crews moving again.

Saving Time

The ultimate convenience to work crews is time saved. Crews can lose time when working to diagnose and troubleshoot complicated repairs on their own. Technicians can arrive on-site to fix breakdowns within hours and eliminate extended wait times and part replacement challenges.

Independent shops maintain a warehouse of quality parts, so there is no need to wait for shipping from the manufacturer. Instead, independent wholesalers can rapidly dispatch to a location with all the necessary tools, drastically cutting wait times and getting construction crews up and running again.

Lower Costs

An OEM often charges maintenance fees, as well as opportunity costs for longer repair times. The longer a machine is down, the longer a production crew waits to complete projects that bring in revenue. On-site technicians can get the job done for a lower price, saving added expenses or budget headaches down the line.

Bonus! Good Service

Dealing with OEMs can be impersonal. With on-site repair services, each project gets personalized attention. Independent services providers are neighbors and community members; they thrive on word of mouth and strive to satisfy every customer. Local equipment repair providers produce better service because they work one-on-one with friends, family, and neighbors to repair heavy construction equipment and get a community-building again.

So Why Choose Mobile Services?

While it’s easy to default to OEMs, other alternatives can better match a construction manager’s needs. Mobile services offer quick and reliable solutions by skilled technicians with a personal touch. And they do so for less money and significantly less time to ensure projects come in on time and under budget for optimal performance in operations. A mechanical emergency may shut down production, but work crews no longer have to worry about production shutting down for long with mobile construction repair services.

Where Can I Find a Qualified Vendor if an Emergency Arises?

In the event of a mechanical emergency, promptly finding a qualified vendor to handle the repair is essential to getting production schedules back on track in a reasonable amount of time. While original equipment manufacturers (OEM) may be able to get the part needed, independent facilities can offer quality solutions in a fraction of the time and frequently at a reduced rate. 

There are many reliable industrial equipment repair services that specialize in customer and emergency services that can provide excellent assistance and warranties on their parts. When looking for a qualified vendor in an emergency, keep an eye out for highly-rated businesses that offer warrantied parts and services in your area. Many dependable companies offer nationwide services and can accommodate emergency repair no matter the location. Other valuable resources are local hydraulic repair shops and teams offering construction equipment repair.

How Can I Quickly get Heavy Equipment Fixed in a Pinch?

Defective heavy machinery can not only slow down production schedules but halt it altogether. When equipment breaks down in the middle of a job, a quick response is vital to move projects forward.

Without a backup machine, time is of the essence, and a local or mobile service may be a time-saving option to handle equipment repairs. Not only will an independent repair shop avoid the maintenance fees associated with an OEM, but will target breakdown causes faster with repairs done on-site by locally employed technicians. 

Independent service shops can offer faster labor, lower prices, and increased access to reliable replacement parts. If using the OEM, specialty parts may need to be tracked down and will likely be hard to find within a short timeframe. Independent shops can speed up the repair process by offering a warehouse of options in quality parts and components in stock instead of shipping pieces from an equipment manufacturer. With a customized fit to each machine, a locally sourced replacement part efficiently gets equipment back up and operating!

What Type of Experience Does my Vendor Have Working on Construction Equipment?

Working with heavy machinery requires a high level of expertise that skilled workers are trained to handle. Ensuring that a vendor has the required knowledge to provide equipment repairs is essential for both worksite safety and mechanical longevity.

Many industrial equipment repair businesses have impressive reputations that champion safety, efficiency, and most importantly propriety while repairing heavy machinery. When deciding on a local industrial equipment repair service, be sure to consider the reviews and reputation of the provider to avoid any unnecessary headaches. 

Is it Worth Using a 3rd-Party Vendor Over the OEM?

So, who is more reliable when immediate assistance is needed: a 3rd party vendor, or the original equipment manufacturer? 

While OEM repair options may seem like a reliable option for sudden breakdowns, taking this route may significantly increase the time equipment spends in the shop. When emergencies arise, and a quick repair is needed in a short time frame, an independent facility will likely have the skilled labor and the quality parts to offer the best solution to put heavy equipment back to work.