20 August 2007

Regardless of what you spent on your power spray rig, a good preventative maintenance (PM) program can make your life easier. Even the best equipment will require maintenance when exposed to typical operating conditions: harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures, long operating hours, less-then-gentle handling, age and normal wear.

First, some general guidelines:

1. Consult equipment owner’s manuals, or contact your equipment provider for proper operating conditions, maintenance schedules, etc.
2. Train your staff on the proper use of equipment. Experience shows that:
3. Technicians tend to run motors and pumps too fast. To get their job done quickly, technicians will often set operating speeds and pressures too high for continuous use, reducing equipment life.
4. Technicians do not check equipment before starting it up. Teach them to identify problems before they occur.
5. Train your technicians to report problems instead of just ignoring them. If the pump sounds like it has a problem, it probably does.
6. Track damage/repairs/problems by truck, technician and part to identify problems and training opportunities. A little tracking can go a long way toward understanding the causes of your breakdowns.
7. Instruct your equipment provider to install the equipment so that it is easily accessible for maintenance and repairs. If equipment isn’t easy to service, it is less likely to be serviced.

Create a PM program based on your equipment, technicians, application and organization’s operating philosophy. For example, if maintaining productivity and avoiding cancelled stops are top priorities, you might replace key components at specified intervals, rather than just checking for wear.

Some ideas:

1. Tank
   Clean your tank periodically to eliminate buildup, debris and contamination. Debris will clog lines and starve your pump, which may lead to pump damage.
2. Line Strainer
   Check and clean your line strainer (filter) to ensure that only water and chemical gets to your pump. If water quality is poor, add additional filtration. Replace o-rings before swelling prevents an airtight seal. Install a gate valve between tank and strainer so that the strainer can be checked even when the tank is full.
3. Pump
   Select the appropriate pump for the application and service it according to manufacturer specifications. Rebuild your pump periodically to prevent problems (we suggest just before or just after your busy season).
4. Engine
   Service your engine according to manufacturer specifications. Changing engine oil is the best thing you can do to extend engine life. Periodic tune-ups will keep your engine running and your technicians productive. Inspect pull cord for wear.
5. Hose Reel
   Most hose reels have a swivel on the input side of the reel. The swivel contains orings that should be replaced periodically to prevent leaks.
6. Spray Gun
   Most spray guns can be rebuilt with repair kits available from your equipment provider.
7. Check hoses
   Check the main spray hose and all feeder and connector hoses for excessive wear and damage. Check clamps and connections to ensure good fit and an airtight seal. Check o-rings, gaskets, washers, etc. that are used to create airtight seals.

A good preventative maintenance program is your best friend for reducing equipment down time and improving productivity. Dollars spent on PM will reduce time lost due to unplanned downtime, help keep your facilities looking great, and keep your boss happy.

The author is owner of Quality Equipment and Spray, an Arizona-based company that designs and builds spray rigs for safety, reliability and ease of maintenance. Get more information at www.qspray.com or email us at andrew@qspray.com.