Should I repair or replace processing equipment?

When running a mining site or other process-driven facility, your equipment’s functionality is vital to ensure you can proceed with operations. The last thing you want is unplanned downtime, so finding a quick solution to damaged or outdated equipment is essential to minimising the money you lose in time wasted and idle staff.

There are two options for addressing equipment that isn’t working: repair or replace. The merits of both have been hotly debated by managers in mining and heavy industry – which is cheaper, which minimises downtime and which is better in the long run? Let’s take a look at what you get out of both options.

Old equipment – is it better to repair individual parts or replace the whole unit?

The case for replace

Replacing equipment is usually a last resort – but it often gives a more permanent fix to your problem, ensuring your production system lasts for longer and is more reliable. Here are a few benefits of replacing equipment:

• Replacing equipment can be an upgrade – if a new piece of technology on the market renders your existing infrastructure redundant, it makes sense to bite the bullet and start again with a new device.
• You decrease the risk of future damage to other parts of your production system and improve the safety of personnel.
• Replacing the equipment often lengthens the lifespan of your processing infrastructure.

When replacing your equipment, you need to be certain that new plant is suited to your overall production system. For peace of mind, you should turn to industry experts like SRO Technology. Our team can supply a large range of machinery for mining and industry applications, including weighing and measurement solutions, stocked from leading suppliers such as Thermo Ramsey. We also offer custom system design services and equipment financing, meaning you can get your production back up and running in no time.

Be aware and repair

Repairing or retrofitting equipment actually has numerous advantages. IBISWorld shows the Australian heavy machinery maintenance and repair market generates over $6 billion in revenue per annum, indicating how many operations have seen these positives:

• Longer downtime: Between sourcing new plant, contacting suppliers and waiting for delivery and installation, a new piece to your production system means less time spent working.
• Cheaper than replacements: If you work with the same weigh and measurement equipment experts periodically, their familiarity with how your system works will translate itself into further savings.
• Where does it fit: Once you have the new piece of equipment, you need to determine how it fits into your production system and then integrate it seamlessly, which can introduce a number of processing problems. By repairing legacy equipment, you will not waste any time trying to get to grips with unfamiliar processing devices.

Investing in properly repairing old equipment can prolong its lifespan significantly.

Repair or retrofit services are as much about the quality of the service as the equipment expertise. With SRO Technology, you can be certain of a professional and thorough offering that takes into account the effectiveness of your entire production system.

Which should I choose: replacement or repair?

This is a debate with no definitive answer. Although replacing outdated plant is a good idea for the long-term health of your production system, it shouldn’t be your de facto choice. Repairing, upgrading or retrofitting old equipment can save you time and money, as well as give equipment a new lease of life.

It’s important to thoroughly analyse your production system and devices to determine which is right for your situation.

For details on our replacement and repair services, or to get some help analysing the efficiency of a processing operation, contact the experts at SRO Technology today by clicking below.