CiA ‘RE AND A1NTENANCE BECAUSE preventive maintenance involves the preparation of
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records, it is tempting to assume that the system runs itself. Nothing could be farther from the truth—without thorough inspection, the scheme cannot be set up properly, and will never be really successful. In fact, the proprietor, workshop foreman or, in a fleet, the engineer must know the worst, and not the best, about the condition of his vehicles to make a success of preventive maintenance.
But the first essential is that each time the vehicle comes in to the workshop for service, it must be inspected thoroughly. The inspection must not be superficial, but should take into account concealed wear, so that internal condition can be assessed.
It is not only a question of assessing what needs to be done immediately, but also of what is likely to need doing at the next service.
It is often at this point that preventive maintenance programmes break down. Frequently, the haulage firm or own-account company will go to some lengths to prepare the paperwork for its scheme, and this will involve a comprehensive inspection routine. Then, the sheet is handed to a semi-skilled fitter who lacks the experience to look into, rather than at, the vehicle.