When deciding on a service vehicle to support on-site service operations, several important factors need to be considered, including:
Depending on the industries served, the service vehicle may need to traverse rough terrain or navigate challenging road conditions. Understanding the job the vehicle is expected to do and the environment where it will work is critical to chassis selection, so look for a supplier that can offer a wide range of chassis options. Correct chassis selection is the cornerstone of the vehicle operating envelope which, in turn, underpins reliability, durability, and predictable lifetime cost.
With constantly changing fluid levels, weight distribution is a critical factor in vehicle safety, so look for a supplier that demonstrates expertise in weight distribution. This is particularly important for safe operation of truck and trailer combos and calculating additional equipment loads.
The supplier should have the capacity to configure fluid carrying volumes to reflect the duty cycle of the vehicle. Fluid storage should be bunded to minimise the potential for fluid spills and dispensing systems must safely and reliably dispense these fluids at the required flow rate.
High quality, industrial strength equipment with a proven track record is essential for reliable service operations and vehicle productivity and utilisation.
Equipment must be configured to optimise operator effectiveness when performing service operations and routine maintenance tasks. Effective operator maintenance is one of the pillars of predictable lifetime cost.
Operators will often be required to perform repetitive tasks during a shift, so ergonomics is an important consideration for operator wellbeing. This may include cab entry and exit, hose rollout and rewind, and easy-open doors.
Safety is paramount when operating a service vehicle, especially when traveling to remote or hazardous job sites. Look for vehicles equipped with advanced safety features such as stability control and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to enhance safety.
In addition to operating envelope and operator maintenance, the third leg of lifetime cost is scheduled maintenance. Suppliers should provide easy access to technical support and carry an adequate inventory of spare parts.
Operating envelope, operator maintenance and routine maintenance are the key drivers of lifetime cost and a supplier with a strong focus across these three areas will result in the lowest lifetime cost of ownership.
Choose a service vehicle from a reputable manufacturer known for quality, reliability, safety and excellent customer support. A strong brand reputation ensures confidence in the vehicle’s performance and provides access to reliable service and support resources when needed.
———
Borne out of the need for high quality, engineered-for-purpose industrial vehicles and equipment, and established in 2002, Shermac is an Australian family-owned business that specialises in support vehicles for the mining, civil and commercial sectors.
The Shermac team has a deep understanding of operating in remote areas of Australia, so can relate to the tough conditions that customers deal with on a daily basis. Shermac has designed, engineered, and fabricated products for some of the worlds’ largest mining and civil engineering contractors, including BHP, Rio Tinto, Fortescue, Thiess, Komatsu, and Alcoa. Much of this work has been to address highly specialised requirements demanding one-off engineering solutions to operate in some of the most hostile environments on earth.
If you’d like to discuss your next project, please call our team on 1300 799 943 or email [email protected] with your inquiry.
Talk to our well-trained and knowledgeable team to find out more about our customisation process and how we can help you.
Call our team on 1300 799 943 or email [email protected] with your inquiry.
