If you manage a municipal fleet, you know the pressure is on. Garbage trucks, snowplows, street sweepers, and buses all need to be ready for action—yet finding and keeping skilled mechanics is tougher than ever. Across Canada, municipalities are feeling the pinch of a shrinking labour pool, rising service demands, and the constant need to do more with less. So, how can you keep your fleet running smoothly without burning out your maintenance team? The answer is smarter, not harder: Graco’s automatic lubrication systems.

The Mechanic Shortage: A Growing Challenge for Municipalities

It’s no secret—qualified mechanics are in short supply. Retirements are outpacing new hires, and competition from the private sector is fierce. Municipal maintenance crews are stretched thin, often juggling preventive maintenance, emergency repairs, and paperwork. The result? Essential tasks like greasing can get delayed or skipped, leading to costly breakdowns and shorter equipment life.

• Increased Downtime: Missed lubrication means more frequent breakdowns and longer repair times.
• Higher Costs: Emergency repairs and part replacements eat into already tight budgets.
• Staff Burnout: Overworked crews face more stress, lower morale, and higher turnover.

How Automatic Greasing Systems Lighten the Load

Consistent, Reliable Lubrication

Automatic greasing systems deliver the right amount of lubricant to every critical point, every time. No more missed fittings or over-greasing. Your equipment gets exactly what it needs, even when your crew is busy with other tasks.

Labour Savings

With automatic systems, your mechanics spend less time crawling under vehicles with a grease gun and more time on higher-value repairs and diagnostics. This means you can do more with the team you have—no need to hire extra hands just to keep up with routine greasing.

Reduced Downtime

Proper lubrication dramatically reduces wear and tear, preventing unexpected breakdowns. That means fewer emergency repairs, more predictable maintenance schedules, and more vehicles available when your community needs them.

Extended Equipment Life

Consistent lubrication extends the lifespan of bearings, pins, and bushings. This helps you get the most out of your fleet investment and reduces the frequency of costly replacements.

Safer Working Conditions

Automatic systems reduce the need for mechanics to access hard-to-reach or hazardous grease points, lowering the risk of slips, falls, and other injuries.

Graco Solutions for Every Municipal Fleet

Whether you’re running a handful of snowplows or a city-wide transit system, Graco has an automatic lubrication solution to fit your needs:

• G3 Series: Heavy-duty, programmable pumps for large vehicles like garbage trucks and snowplows.
• G-Mini: Compact, rugged pumps ideal for smaller vehicles or equipment with fewer lubrication points.
• Grease Jockey: Purpose-built for on-road vehicles, this system automates chassis lubrication for buses, fire trucks, and more.

HMFT: Your Partner in Smarter Fleet Maintenance

At HMFT, we understand the unique challenges facing municipal maintenance teams. That’s why we offer more than just equipment—we deliver complete solutions:

• Fleet Assessments: We evaluate your vehicles and recommend the best automatic lubrication setup for your operation.
• Professional Installation: Our technicians ensure seamless integration with your existing fleet.
• Training & Support: We train your staff on system operation and provide ongoing technical support.
• Preventative Maintenance Plans: HMFT offers service contracts to keep your lubrication systems running at peak performance.

Conclusion

The mechanic shortage isn’t going away anytime soon, but with Graco’s automatic greasing systems and HMFT’s expertise, you can ease the burden on your maintenance crew, reduce downtime, and keep your municipal fleet in top shape. It’s a smart investment that pays off in productivity, safety, and peace of mind.

Ready to take the pressure off your team? Contact HMFT today to learn how automatic lubrication can transform your fleet maintenance operations.

FAQ

Q: How much time can automatic greasing save my maintenance crew?

A: Many municipalities report saving several hours per vehicle per month, freeing up mechanics for more complex repairs and diagnostics.

Q: Can Graco systems be retrofitted to existing vehicles?

A: Absolutely! Graco’s G3 Series, G-Mini, and Grease Jockey systems can be installed on most municipal vehicles, new or old.

Q: What types of vehicles benefit most from automatic lubrication?

A: Garbage trucks, snowplows, street sweepers, buses, fire trucks, and utility vehicles all see significant benefits from consistent, automated greasing.

Q: How does HMFT support municipalities after installation?

A: We offer training, technical support, and preventative maintenance plans to ensure your systems continue to perform reliably.

Q: Is automatic lubrication cost-effective for smaller fleets?

A: Yes! Even small fleets benefit from reduced downtime, lower repair costs, and extended equipment life—delivering a strong return on investment.