Mobile Equipment Reliability

What does reliability look like when your assets aren’t bolted to the floor—but hauling 200 tons of ore up a 6% grade? In this episode of Gear Talk, host Wes Cash sits down with Terry Taylor, a veteran of mining and heavy industry, to explore reliability in mobile equipment environments. From massive draglines in Texas to gold mining operations in Nevada and coal fleets in West Virginia, Terry shares hard-earned lessons on lubrication, oil analysis, planning, and culture. He explains how structured PM systems, in-house oil labs, and disciplined execution helped drive major cost reductions—and why mobile fleets demand just as much rigor as fixed plant assets. You’ll learn about: The unique reliability challenges of mobile mining equipment How assembly-line PM programs improve quality, speed, and consistency Why cleanliness and proper oil sampling are critical in heavy industry • The financial impact of reliability improvements on cost per ton How to shift culture in environments resistant to change Why assessments and “seeking first to understand” are key to building a roadmap Whether you work in mining, heavy equipment, or fixed plant operations, this episode offers practical insight into building sustainable reliability programs in some of the toughest operating environments in the world. Learn about this episode's sponsor at https://www.assetwatch.com/get-started Missed an episode of Gear Talk? Check out the playlist here. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUMZtxzM4WqOBC53dsyVBi6FQGWsMDPT4 👉 Have questions or topic ideas? Email us at [email protected] 👍 Like and Subscribe to stay connected with Gear Talk