Proactive maintenance concentrates on the causes of machine breakdown, instead of the symptoms of wear. It focuses on pinpointing and eliminating the root causes of equipment failure. This is done by emphasizing contamination control – the number one cause of machinery breakdown.

Laboratory and field tests have shown that more than any other factor, fluid contamination is the main culprit of equipment failure. Even the most microscopic particles, when left unregulated, will eventually grind a machine to a halt. Thus, most proactive maintenance programmes start with a strict contamination control programme for lubrication fluids, hydraulic fluids, gear oils, and transmission fluids.

Proactive maintenance is designed to extend the life of mechanical machinery without resorting to wasteful practices used in conventional maintenance practices. Conventional practices include servicing components which are still in good condition, and accommodating machinery failure as a normal and routine phenomenon. By observing contamination control practices, common causes of machinery breakdown (like heat, moisture, air, and foreign particulates) can be removed. This keeps the machine running at the highest level of efficiency.

Proactive maintenance is best paired with predictive maintenance as part of a holistic maintenance strategy. Proactive maintenance would be the first line of defence for machine reliability, while predictive maintenance monitors for contamination, and offers an early warning system for potentially serious problems.