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There are many situations that can be dealt with by having machinery insurance. If you want to get this kind of coverage, you may be wondering what you should look for and what you should expect. Before you get coverage on any piece of machinery, read through and utilize the following information.

It’s smart to get coverage on something as soon as you can

When you first buy machinery, it can be easy to forget to get it insured because it isn’t going to have many problems for you to deal with. But, in case there is a situation that causes you to run into problems, you’re going to want to know that you have insurance that will help you in case of a problem. So, as soon as you buy a piece of machinery you’re going to want to look into getting insurance for it just to be sure it’s protected.

Know the Hidden Charges

There are going to be some fees sometimes that come with having insurance. If you want to get top-of-the-line coverage, then you’re going to generally have to invest some money into your plan on a regular basis. To see if getting insurance is worth it, you’re going to want to see what it’s going to cost you to repair a machine if it were to have any problems. That way, you can see what it roughly costs to deal with problems and you can get a plan in place that is going to be worth the money in the end.

Learn About the Coverage Plan

You’re going to want to learn about a few of the coverage plans that you’re able to get help through depending on what they cover. There are going to be some options that only help you if a certain situation happens and there will be some that will help in the event of any kind of problem. You want to get a plan in place that can help with situations that are likely to turn up for you. Even if you’re careful, something could go wrong so it’s good to have a plan in place that keeps your machines safe.

Always make it a point to find out more about an insurance provider so you can get a feel for what it’s going to be like to work with their team. If you run into a problem of some kind or have a question, then you need to know what you can do to get into touch with someone that can help you in your particular situation as soon as possible. One way to make sure they’re good at what they do is to contact them with just a simple question to see how they respond.

Check Reviews

See if there are any reviews that were written about the insurance plan you’re thinking of investing in. You want to know if others had any issues with it at all so you can see whether it’s going to be worth your time and money to work with. If many reviews say that something is just not worth it, then it’s wise to listen to them so you don’t run into the same problems yourself in the near future. It’s generally best to always go with whatever company has the best overall reputation just so you know they are good at what they do.

Learn About their Policies

Insurance companies are going to change as time goes on so it’s good to learn about their policies on a regular basis. If something changes, you need to know about it so that you can know what you’re able to do to keep getting benefits from what they have to offer. Don’t just assume that you know all about them if you haven’t looked into what they’re about in recent years. They may change for the better which is good to know about because that will mean that they can do even more for you than they have been recently.

An insurance company is going to need proof that you’re going to have to fix a machine so they can pay for the process for you. Don’t just get a repair done without keeping records because if you can’t prove what you need to prove to the insurance company, they may not cover your repair which could be a pain if you were expecting them to be able to assist you. Always contact them if you’re not sure what to do because they can walk you through how you can get them to cover any problems that occur.

When you’re able to get machinery insurance, it’s going to protect your investment in many different ways. Make it a point to get coverage on machines any time you can. That way, if you run into a problem with what you have, it can be quickly and effectively taken care of.

If you own a company that uses a large number of different machines, it’s important to have all of them covered by some form of insurance. The cost of replacing these machines can be quite expensive, and doing the repairs on your own may not be your best option. Some of these insurance policies will have deductibles. Others may not cover specific types of machinery or problems that may occur. It’s important to look at the fine print when selecting any type of machinery insurance. Here is an overview of the different types that are available that you can get for your business.

What Is Machinery Insurance?

This is insurance that effectively covers the most common problems that different types of machinery can develop. This may cover unanticipated losses caused by the machinery not functioning. Many of these problems can occur suddenly, making it impossible for your business to move forward. This insurance is often used by companies that own factories with multiple machines. An example of this would be a mining operation where each machine is responsible for a very important task. You may cover boilers, and machines you use in the shop, which is typically referred to as equipment breakdown insurance.

Overview Of Equipment Breakdown Insurance

This insurance will cover a wide range of different machines. This may include mechanical machines, machines that rely upon electricity, and those that may do computations such as computers. In some instances, this is called boiler and machinery insurance. Regardless of its designation, it will cover the cost of replacing the machinery, repairing, and it will often include the cost of labor and time involved to do the repairs. In some cases, this insurance will cover lost income which is inevitable. When machines do not function, your business can come to a standstill. If you are dealing with inventory with the limited shelf life, you can be compensated for spoiled inventory and all of the expenses that occurred during this restoration period.

The Five Categories Of Machinery Insurance

This type of insurance is broken down into five distinct categories. This will include boilers and pressure equipment, HVAC systems, computers, electrical systems such as transformers, and mechanical machines as well. The mechanical machines will include generators, engines, motors, and even water pumps. If you have elevators at your place of business, these are often covered by these policies. If you have a business that uses phone systems, security systems or has electrical panels, this can all be covered by these policies in great detail. The cost of this insurance will depend upon how much coverage you need, as well as the deductible that you will pay when you need to file a claim.

How To Find Affordable Machinery Insurance

As with most types of insurance, there will always be insurance companies or brokers that will have a list of potential policies that you can choose from. They may assist you in choosing one that is best suited for your business. Each of these professionals will likely have several clients that use similar types of machinery. Additionally, if they are brokers, they will likely have relationships with many companies that can offer you special prices. By doing your research, you can also locate different businesses near you that can offer you affordable machinery insurance for your company.

Be Aware Of Potential Exclusions

There will always be exclusions in machinery insurance that you may not be aware of unless you ask about the possibility. Regardless of the level of coverage that you have, you should know what to look for when obtaining this type of policy. For example, if your machinery is damaged by a power surge, it’s possible that the damage will cause your computer to malfunction. If that’s the case, the insurance policy will cover the cost of a replacement computer. However, if your computer needs software updates, you won’t be covered under your policy. Always be aware of what these policies will and will not cover before deciding the best one for your business.

Always Know The Costs

If you are running a business that relies on machinery to keep your operations running smoothly, you may want to consider adding a breakdown coverage to your insurance policy. However, each type of policy will have different costs associated with having it. There will be the monthly cost of paying the premiums, and the cost of the deductible, plus there could be other charges that you may not be aware of. This kind of coverage will pay for the parts and labor needed to fix a malfunctioning piece of equipment. However, if one of the machines is not covered by the policy, this will be an additional cost that you will have to pay out-of-pocket. Therefore, before you purchase this type of coverage, you need to understand all of the potential and existing costs associated with it.

It is vitally important to have machinery insurance in place before you start your business. The moment that one or more of your machines break down, your business will cease to function. Unless you have a replacement machine to switch out, you will be waiting for the repairs to be done or a replacement machine to arrive. Whether this is in mechanical, electrical, or a computer-related issue, all of these problems can lead to lost revenue. By having these policies in place, you can feel confident about the potential of your machinery failing to work, knowing that you will be covered by this machinery insurance.

Did you remember that sometime in June 2021, a 400-meter ship “Ever Given” got stuck while transiting through the Suez Canal for six full days, freezing around 10-billion-dollar worth of worldwide trade every day?

Ever Given is an example of a Cargo Ship. Also known as a freighter, cargo ships are vessels particularly designed to carry heavy cargo and materials from one place to another. They often have an in-house crane and other mechanical systems that loads and unloads the cargo to be carried.

Boats, in general, have already been recorded way back in the 4th millennium BCE; however, it was primarily for the transport of humans. Archaeological and historical records show that the use of maritime transport for-trade items seemed to start around the 1st millennium BC. Since the designs of their boats are still primitive, they were only able to carry a few light items with them.

Eventually, in the 14th to 15th century BC, a 16-meter cargo ship from the Mediterranean emerged carrying more and heavier cargo. An example of this is the Uluburun ship, which was found to have carried 20 tons of exotic cargo, 11 tones of raw copper, jars, glass, ivory, gold, spices, and treasures from Greece, Africa, Canaan, and Egypt. Needless to say, cargo ships played a crucial role in expanding trade transactions from one state to another.

And as more people see the utility and great opportunity of transporting products across seas, this sparked a relentless motivation to refine and improve cargo ships. From the Middle Ages up to the present, ships are made to constantly outdo another, thus increasing their capacity in terms of weight, volume, and space.

Although structured differently, there are parts that are present in almost all cargo ships aside from the decks that store the load. The frontmost part of the ship is known as the bulbous bow. It cuts the ocean water through its sides as the ship advances, thus decreasing the drag or resistance of the water and increasing fuel efficiency. Both ends of ships already have thrusters and propellers which enables them to maneuver properly, especially in narrow and congested canals or ports.

The brain of the ship operation is located at the navigation bridge. It houses the pilothouse and has a clear view of the environment around it. On top of it, the mast is mounted, which holds necessary navigation equipment like radars, light, ship horn, and flag, among others.

In contrast, the powerhouse of the ship, the engine room, is found on the lowest deck. It has the main engine, auxiliary engine ( Alternator ), shafting, boiler, freshwater generator, air compressor, pumps, heat exchangers, diesel generators, coolers, and more. Directly connected to that is the funnel, which serves as the chimney of the cargo ship, releasing exhaust gases into the exterior.

Of course, there is also the accommodation division which is the living space for the crew. It has all the basic living needs of the people on board from cabins, kitchens/ galley, bathrooms, offices, to laundry rooms, recreation sections, and sometimes, prayer rooms.

Now, with the countless cargo ships that have been made, they are classified into several types depending on what they carry and how much they can carry.

First, general cargo ships which is the simplest and most basic form of all cargo ships. They are relatively small in size but unlike normal boats or luxury yachts, they can actually carry heavy loads. In fact, these are already pre-equipped with built-in cranes that facilitate the movement of the cargo.

Second are the massive container ships. Coming from what its name suggests, this kind of ship carries containers. Containers are large enclosures that are built to carry freight. If you are wondering why are goods still have to be placed inside containers, it has something to do with efficiency and security. For example, if one has to transport thousands of boxes of washing machines, it would take so much time to individually load and unload them. With containers, they can simply be lifted by crane in just minutes. Moreover, the boxes inside can be placed strategically to prevent any form of damage until they arrive at their destination.

Next, there are bulk carriers. These are small units that specifically carry solid loads like cement, minerals, rocks, grains, and more. On the contrary, there are oil tankers and gas carriers as well, which are ships that have sophisticated storage for their liquid loads. They are noticeably more reliable in terms of structural strength and security to effectively prevent leaking which is extremely harmful to marine life.

Furthermore, refrigerated ships are also used to transport highly perishable goods and maintain their level of freshness. Livestock vessels, meanwhile, are open-air with designated feeding zones which are perfect for live animal transport. Lastly, ro-ro ships have ramps and platforms that enable wheeled vehicles to mobilize through them. There are absolutely more which are not mentioned here, but whatever it is, its difference is mainly about its distinct features that would cater an efficient, safe, and secure transport of a particular thing.

Regardless of what type the cargo ship is, they all need thorough and regular maintenance to ensure that they can operate optimally, prolong their usage longevity, and maximize the ship’s energy efficiency. These maintenance procedures are made by engineers and some crew members who are knowledgeable about the complexity of the ship itself. Usually, maintenance entails simple adjustments, cleaning, part replacement, repair, or elimination of adverse conditions.

There are maintenance types that differ in execution, timing, and purpose. Some of them are as follows:
The preventive maintenance system is a scheduled or planned maintenance that has to be done in a particular time interval. The schedule can be based on the number of running hours (for example, every 5,000 hours), or by calendar days (quarterly, semi-annually, annually). In this type of maintenance, every crucial aspect of the ship is assessed for any kind of malfunction or damage. Once they are detected, the crew then proceeds with the repair phase. Just like what its name says, it is supposed to prevent major unpredictable problems that put everyone at great risk.

On the other hand, there is also maintenance that is carried out when some part of the ship has breakdown before anyone has detected it. This is called corrective or breakdown maintenance. Immediate corrective maintenance takes place more commonly as the damage impairs the ship from doing a crucial function. But, if the machinery failure is not urgent, the repair can be deferred to the soonest favorable time.

Conveying loads weighing thousands of tons would have been totally impossible a couple of centuries ago. Considering the immense capability of cargo ships today, it can be said they truly are an engineering marvel. And as they evolve further to gain more power and impressive functions, we can expect that the mighty cargo ships will continue to fulfill the world’s demand for efficient and secure transport of goods.

With the unstoppable demands of fast and efficient delivery services nowadays, it is hard to imagine the industry without the strength and functionality of a forklift. The forklift, also known as a fork hoist or lift truck, is a specialized motor vehicle used to lift and move objects over short distances.

The primary designs of the forklift can be traced back to the middle nineteenth century. From primarily lifting basic luggage loads, it has eventually evolved into becoming a useful machine for handling military equipment during World War I. And with the emergence of industrial manufacturing in 1920, more raw materials and output products are needed to be transferred from and into trucks and factories. This started the increasing demands for forklifts.

In 1954, a company in Britain developed the first narrow-aisle electric forklift since there are warehouses that have narrower aisles and higher load-stacking to maximize storage capacity. To ensure the safety of the operator due to these changes, overhead guards and load backrests began to be added. Eventually, it evolved to address operator’s comfort, energy efficiency, and safety until it became the modern forklifts that the industry uses today.

Contrary to popular opinion, forklifts are not designed to be all the same. Forklifts have specific design types to make them perfectly suitable for different functions and circumstances.

For example, there is a low-lift truck that is intended to travel loads on pallets. There is also a reach stacker that is made to stack loads on top of each other. A counterbalanced forklift, meanwhile, is placed at the back of the truck, not to lift anything but to offset the weight on the front of the truck. Although not mentioned here, there are several more design types that aim to do a particular function with optimum efficiency and practicality.

With the immense power and functionality that the forklifts provide, it is very interesting how they can power themselves. There are four common methods of propulsions on forklifts. Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) can be used, which enables operators to quickly change the cylinder, thus preventing undue delay or prolonged stoppage. There are also typical combustion methods in which engines use diesel, kerosene, butane, and other fuels.

Moreover, battery-electric is more often used in closed indoor facilities to eradicate the emission of harmful fumes. Refrigerated warehouses, on the other hand, commonly uses hydrogen fuel cell-powered forklifts because it does not have any problem operating in chill environments.

If you come to think of it, forklifts have a very basic and straightforward job. However, its integral role in making sure that all loads are moving is undeniable. Without them, it would take forever for your expected parcel to arrive on your doorstep. The absence of forklifts will also disrupt the global market too as all products, from technology, medicine, food, among others, cannot be able to reach their intended destinations.

This only proves the point that forklifts, as boring as it may look, is an actual hero of the incredibly complex logistic system in the whole world.

Having a long road trip with family or friends is an effective way of relieving stress and exhaustion. Dump trucks carry a massive amount of load effortlessly to and from different regions. Everyone gets to work, school, and other places by riding their land vehicles. What are these instances have all in common? They all use roads.

Roads are critical component of land transportation, so it is equally important to make smooth and strong roads in the most efficient and safest way. All of that can be done effortlessly by a remarkable paver.

The paver, which can also be called a road paver finisher, is a construction equipment that is utilized to lay asphalt on roads, bridges, and other places.

As early as 1815, asphalt has already been used as a good road paving material. Initially, small stones were compacted and sand sprayed with water according to the development of a Scottish road engineer named John Macadam. The water dissolves the natural silts on the stones, which help cement the materials together. This process was known to be Water Macadam.

Eventually, it was discovered that coal tar is a better binding material than water. This new combination was known as tar macadam, eventually shortened as tarmac. This is almost the same as asphalt pavement, but the modern mixed asphalt that is used today has slight differences, which gives it a more durable surface. And with an extraordinary rise in the number of land vehicles, there was also a need for a faster pavement of asphalt roads. This is when the paver is born.

So, how does it work?

It is important that the paver is always accompanied by a dump truck that carries and consistently feeds the asphalt material. After the asphalt is transferred from the truck to the paver via the hopper, it is spread through the road and gets initially flattened and compressed by the screed.

Then, a free-floating screed is used to ascertain the road has a smooth and uniform surface. Basically, the operator can do this through adjusting the screed’s attack angle, weight, vibration frequency, material head, and towing force. Today, these controls are commonly done automatically to reduce errors. Lastly, a heavy, steel-wheeled roller follows the paver to compact the asphalt for the last time to reach the needed thickness.

Throughout this process, a critical point must be considered- that this will be done at a constant speed and consistent amount of stockpile. If the material stockpile exceeds or decreases the normal level, the asphalt will get uneven because some got thicker or thinner.

Moreover, it is essential that the paving starts at a strategic and appropriate spot. Otherwise, stopping and restarting the process inappropriately will result in bumps or divots on the road surfaces.

The paver is truly sophisticated and useful equipment as it enabled us to make the roads that we all enjoy driving smoothly on today. Yes, it involves complicated and highly-technical parts and processes, but it is hard to conceal appreciation of the amazing capability it possesses.

So, every time that you are on an asphalt road, be delighted by the fact that it was once a rocky ground transformed by the paver.