Which maintenance practice helps to extend the life of machinery?

Preventive maintenance is designed to extend the life of machinery by systematically addressing maintenance needs before issues develop into significant failures. This practice involves regular inspections, servicing, and replacing parts based on time intervals or usage thresholds rather than waiting for a machine to break down. By proactively maintaining equipment, operators can identify wear and tear, lubricate moving components, and replace aging parts, ensuring that machines operate efficiently and reliably.

This approach not only extends the lifespan of the machinery but also minimizes unexpected downtime and repairs, leading to cost savings and enhanced productivity. In contrast, reactive maintenance waits until a problem occurs, which can sometimes lead to more extensive damage and costly repairs. Cleaning alone does not address the underlying mechanical conditions leading to wear, and replacement before breakage, while proactive, may not always be necessary for all parts and could lead to unnecessary costs if the equipment is well-maintained. Thus, preventive maintenance is the most effective strategy for extending machinery life.