What is Idling and Minor Stops?

Idling and minor stops are common events that can significantly affect the overall performance of equipment. Idling refers to the act of leaving the machine running without performing any productive work, which can result in unnecessary fuel consumption and equipment wear and tear. Minor stops, on the other hand, are brief stops in equipment operation that can be easily resolved by the machinery operator. Despite being short-lived, these events can add up over time and lead to significant productivity losses.

The impact of idling and minor stops can be minimized through effective equipment maintenance and operator training. Regular equipment inspections can help identify potential issues before they cause significant downtime, while operator training can improve their ability to quickly identify and resolve minor stops. In addition, implementing a continuous improvement program that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of idling and minor stops can help reduce the frequency and duration of these events, leading to improved equipment performance and increased productivity.

Overall, while idling and minor stops may seem like small events, they can have a significant impact on equipment performance and productivity. By proactively addressing these issues through effective maintenance and training programs, organizations can minimize downtime and maximize equipment efficiency, ultimately improving their bottom line.

These events refer to any minor stops in equipment that can be resolved by the machinery operator. The general duration for idling and minor stops (small stops) is considered to be 2 minutes or less and is a performance loss. Examples of such occurrences would be jams and obstructions, wrong settings, incorrect input feed, blocked sensors and others.