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Case Study: Clarifying Major vs Minor Preventative Maintenance for a Healthcare Facility

Industry: Healthcare / Rehabilitation
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Service Provided: Preventative Maintenance Consultation, PM Quote Revision, Load Bank and Annual Service Scheduling

Overview

A healthcare and rehabilitation facility in Fort Collins contacted Generator Source to move forward with an annual preventative maintenance quote. The customer had received a quote that included both a major service and a minor service, but they were unsure why both appeared combined or how they were supposed to be scheduled. Generator Source walked the customer through the structure of PM services, clarified the differences, and provided scheduling guidance based on their operational and budgeting needs.

patient rehab

The Challenge

The customer was reviewing their quote and noticed two service lines: a minor service and a major service. They believed these might be duplicative because both listed inspection items such as the 31 point check, coolant evaluation, and oil and coolant sampling. The customer wanted to proceed but did not want to pay for overlapping work. They also preferred to complete the major service and load bank immediately due to their internal Q3 and Q4 budgeting cycles.

Our Assessment

Generator Source reviewed the quote and explained that the minor and major services represent two separate visits within the annual PM cycle. The major service includes the full PM1 checklist plus filter changes, oil change, and load bank testing. The minor service includes the inspection and sampling work but does not include fluids and filters. This structure ensures the generator is inspected twice per year to catch wear, fuel issues, and cooling or battery concerns before they develop into failures. The coordinator also confirmed that for optimal performance the two visits should be scheduled roughly six months apart.

The Solution

Generator Source revised the quote to match the customer’s preference: scheduling the major service and load bank first so the facility could handle the larger cost during their current budget period. The minor service would be scheduled for six months later. Additional steps included sending the quote to parts to confirm availability of filters and components for the Kohler unit, confirming fuel sample testing requirements, and preparing a callback once parts were ready so the service team could finalize the appointment.

The Result

The healthcare facility received a clear explanation of both services and understood why PM is structured as two visits each year. By separating the major and minor service dates they were able to align the work with their budget cycle without sacrificing reliability. Generator Source provided a revised quote, verified parts availability, and placed the major service in the scheduling queue. The customer gained clarity, avoided misinterpretation of service lines, and secured annual maintenance that met both compliance and operational needs.

Why It Matters

Preventative maintenance confusion often prevents facilities from moving forward with necessary work. When teams understand the difference between a major and a minor service they are more likely to comply with manufacturer recommendations, reduce emergency failures, and maintain readiness during seasonal demand shifts. This clarity ensures safer operations for critical facilities like healthcare and rehabilitation centers.

Unsure about what major and minor services include?

Generator Source provides clear PM guidance and scheduling support for all generator makes and models. Contact our service team to review or update your annual PM plan today.