What maintenance practice involves regular checks of mechanical equipment to prevent excessive wear?

The practice that involves regular checks of mechanical equipment to prevent excessive wear is preventative maintenance. This method focuses on systematically inspecting and servicing equipment to ensure that it operates efficiently and to extend its lifespan. By identifying potential issues before they become serious problems through routine inspections, preventative maintenance helps avoid costly repairs and downtime associated with equipment failures.

Unlike corrective maintenance, which is performed after a problem has occurred, or emergency maintenance, which is reactive and addressed only when an issue arises urgently, preventative maintenance is strategic and aimed at avoiding issues in the first place. Routine maintenance could overlap with preventative measures; however, it may focus more on the regularity of maintenance tasks rather than specifically aiming to prevent wear and tear. Therefore, preventative maintenance stands out as the practice primarily dedicated to avoiding excessive wear through proactive management.