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Working in these more severe applications may require more frequent maintenance and greasing. "A machine working below the water surface or in heavy lifting applications may put it beyond its maintenance intervals and greasing intervals will need to be changed," says Metzger. "Installing an auto lube system will increase the initial cost of the machine, but in the end [it can] reduce the maintenance cost over the life of the machine."

Excavators used in demolition are working in very severe conditions with severe-duty attachments. "This type of work puts a lot of stress on the undercarriage because of the breaking and loading of heavy and unbalanced loads," Metzger says. "In addition, because the attachments... are working at capacity most of the time, and the hydraulic temperatures tend to be higher, the hydraulic system will need to be maintained more often. Heat is the biggest enemy of any hydraulic system.

"Because this type of work requires heavy loads," he continues, "this will also put a lot of stress on the structure of the machine and cause pin and bushing, boom and arm fatigue that you would not see in normal operation."

Selecting the right machine and tailoring your preventive maintenance program to the application can help you overcome such negative effects.

"Overall, if the machine is designed and sized right, and the operator does the daily checks, there aren't many applications where an excavator can't work and perform efficiently with great reliability," says Hall. "When you've spent the dollars that a large excavator costs, spending a few dollars looking after your investment pays dividends in terms of productivity, residual value and operating costs."