What do you expect in a Equipment Manual?

Maybe it would be more interesting if you tell what is the problem that promted this question?

I can'nt remember any OEM that's so inadequate but a very thick manual won't get read like our car's user manual, how many read them?

When to read the manual? When everything else fails!

Jokes aside, reading manuals are also influenced by culture.

I read somewhere an article about user manuals for the same product in different countries, the product a mobile phone

In Asia, when somebody acquires one of these new gadgets, the first thing he does, take it out of the box, throws the manual away and activate it. Reading manuals is for loosers.

The German on the ohter side, takes it out of the box, read the manual three times thoroughly, and after carefull examination, activates it after three days. The manual is then placed in the fireproof "safe" to be handy when problems arise.
It was a marketing research to explain why the european products were more expensive. IMO a lousy excuse to separate someone from his money.

Coming back to Eugenes point, I have an extensive wish list purely based on a maintenance point of view, this also influenced by the type of equipment.

1) In electronic format, I love PDF files, but I hate scanned ones
2) Exploded views
3) Colorful
4) Specifications
5) Operating instructions

During the second world war the technological advances were that fast that the airforces of the conflicting countries needed to re-train their pilots and maintenance personel every month. The only way to achieve this was using cristal clear illustrations.
If you have ever seen the ilustrated bombing procedure of Junker Ju 88 aircraft (too big to upload a scan) or have Readers's Digest Complete Car Care Manual, you will know the difference.

The "manual" you received when you bought your car, is not the same one that a mechanic will use.

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but a very thick manual won't get read

Most of the manuals I have seen are dirty, stained and were falling apart, thus were regularly replaced. Standing in front of someones library reveals a lot. I wouldn't thrust my car to a mechanic when his books are all white and smell new.

Normally people refer to manuals before starting the jobs ie during the work planning and scheduling phase to get important details or just after breaktimes for mechanics so their hands are clean if the mechanics are not deterred away by voluminous books.

If referring to the manuals during work execution with dirty hands, maybe the work planning was incomplete ie missing info, the mechanic may be untidy, not confident, incompetent that he needs frequent reference. Maybe his untidiness will cause contamination which is enemy no. 1 for lubrication of machineries.

Also maybe the CMMS is not properly populated with info in the equipment manuals eg spare parts.

Machines may have frequent problems because maintenance management needs improvement such as lack of standard procedures and thus the need for frequent references to manuals.

I think the manuals should be preserved to avoid constantly looking for manuals for replacements or loss.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Josh,

It could also mean delibarately referring to the manuals to impress the boss!

We have all manuals in our CMMS , scanned in PDF

Mohan

Josh, you got it all wrong!!

Manuals need to be replaced, especially outdated ones. We always had a central copy and a shop copy and (some tactical spares).
What will you find in the service manual of an escavator with a lot of hydraulics? Expect from the poor planner (Eugene) to put in the workorder to set the pilot sensing pressure to 15 psi during the planned overhaul?

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If referring to the manuals during work execution, ...incompetent..

That marketing research said, reading manuals is for loosers. I am glad Toyota don't think that way.

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Also maybe the CMMS is not properly populated with info in the equipment manuals

Not everything you will get in electronic format. If you have a big automotive repair shop, I want to see how you are uploading all the necessary info for the craft in the CMMS.
Do you have welding procedures also in the CMMS, or welders certificates?
If you have kuddos, for you.

Yes, manuals need to be updated but not frequently unless you keep modifying or replacing or revamping your plant. Otherwise fairly static.

The welding prcedures (WPS & PQR) to construct the plant should be in the manuals and can be put into CMMS if you wish. Otherwise mechanics photocopy them for their reference. WQTs may be kept by Maintenance manager to prevent his good welders from using them to apply another jobs?

What is wrong with people to apply for other jobs?

Nothing wrong but the Maint Mgr may constantly do recruiting and manage staff competency.

It is the duty of the Maintenance Manager to manage staff competency, but if he has to recruit constantly new employees... , the system is broke and it would be better for him to look for another job.

Equipment manual of Equipment Data Book: EDB Normally technician find the instruction of repair/replacement and another fine the specification of material usage. Isn't it?

The one thing that most manuals leave out are good trouble shooting suggestions. I dont know it that is because the engineers think nothing will ever go wrong with their creation or if they just dont spend enough time around them in a typical environment, but for the most part the trouble shooting sections are a bit thin.

Maybe if they put too much troubleshooting tips, you don't need their support

This could be true, but as any good maintenance man can I will find the answer support or no support

Eugene, With today's technology, PDF files are the handiest for manuals, with bills of materials, assembly drawings, parts drawings and procedures. I believe that manufacturers don't like to give too many details in case of copying, however, build dimensions and fit tolerances are pretty much essential.
In the case of being too smart to need OEM's info, I've seen those guys' results and they generally prove that the info is, in fact, essential.
PDF files or their equivalent allows pages to be printed out when required, which means using one source of info, which can be updated as required.
Best regards
Joe Mc Cormack