Hints, tips and tricks

Scott Stone

Scott Stone

New member
We all have them. Something that you do that actually saves you money because it makes your machine more durable, it saves you time, or keeps the parts from failing as quickly. So the question is, what are some of yours.

1. I buy a minimum of 4500PSI hoses. I have found that for the extra few dollars, that they outlast the standard 3000 psi hoses by 3 to 4 times.
2. I have put better grounds on all my machines. It makes the electrical components last longer.
3. I have double tanks that are plumbed together. I can run off of both tanks at the same time, and I am prepared for any recycling that needs to be done. It also acts as a natural baffle.
4. I build my trailers with 10000 lbs. springs. They just are not as likely to break.

So I started it. What do you do, and why?
 
I always install small hoses(w/ caps on the other end) onto my pump oil outlet so I don't have to strain to get to it. They sell them everywhere. I also have a air fitting and a checkvalve with a QC fixed into the system after the ball valve from my water tank. That way when it cold out I can force antifreeze into the system then blow it through the system with a compressor. Whip hose with a swivel on the end of the hose will save you some fittings over time.
 
I put synthetic oil in the engines and change it regularly.
If you have a tandem axle trailer check your wheel bearings often for tightness and keep them adjusted. Backing up and making sharp turns while loaded is hard on wheel bearings but if you keep them tight and greased it will save your bearing races and spindles.
 
I put synthetic oil in the engines and change it regularly.
If you have a tandem axle trailer check your wheel bearings often for tightness and keep them adjusted. Backing up and making sharp turns while loaded is hard on wheel bearings but if you keep them tight and greased it will save your bearing races and spindles.
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Larry I have subs that swear by this also. My problem is i use cases and cases of oil. I feel the cost for me doesnt pay, my employee abuse will happen reguardless.
 
Cost for cases can add up fast. I don't use it in my truck for that reason. At 17qts/ oil change it is hard to swallow $85.00 for oil in one change.
It is not too bad when it is just 3 or so quarts/ change.
 
I run a bypass hose back into my tank on the unloaders,so to keep the pump cooler.I also put a quick release fitting on all the unloaders so i can change them quickly without any fuss..

I also change all fluids every 100 hrs of use,i use 20/50w castrol in the machines and straight 30w non detergent in the pump's.

I run a solid 200 feet of 4500 psi hose on each reel,which keeps the hose from bursting at the quick connect sections.When i first started out i would use 50ft sections of hose,and after awhile they would start bursting on me at the couplers where they are stressed from being reeled up.Since i went to a straight 200 ft i never have any more problems,i seem to get a good year or more before replacing them.

And i am replacing them just due to exposed wire from constant draging on concrete,and not because of bursting.Another tip i find usefull,is on windy days when you are trying to apply chemical to a house or pool cage etc,instead of useing the typical chemical tip i use a large diameter 0 tip to shoot the chemical on in a solid stream instead of the fan spray of the regular chemical tip..

For anyone who runs a heater unit there is a good way to keep your coils in great shape.Down here in florida we have the worst hard water issues,so i will run CLR which is a great calcium and rust inhibitor through the coils and let it sit in there overnite until it get's used again the next day.This has served me well as i use my heaters 5 day's a week and have never had to replace one yet nor have i ever lost any pressure due to coil damage.This is something that i do quarterly.
 
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Try this one...

There is a point to the following CATV story, please read! ;-)

In my former life I worked for the cable company as a net-op tech. I have also done my fair share of installs. When hanging coax cable on a vertical surface such as aluminum or vinyl siding, we would use plastic clips that snapped under the lip of the siding where two pieces would meet. The middle of this clip was raised and hollow giving the coax enough room to pass through it. These clips would hold the cable in place.

So now on to masking off a house with horizontal aluminum/vinyl siding.....

These same clips work great to hold 2-4 mil plastic in place (non windy days only) I use 4 mil 8' X 100' plastic cut to about 25' sections in length.

I drape the top of the plastic over the over a clip about 4" or so and then with a flat blade screwdriver (there is a hole on the bottom of the clip meant for this) I'll give it a whack with the palm of my hand snapping it into place. I'll use 2 to 4 on each side of the plastic. I can mask off the entire side of a house in about 2 minutes this way.

You may be able to find these clips at your local radio shack store or the next time you see your local friendly neighborhood cable guy ask him if he can spare a few.
 
We've done something similar when gutters are present, or even directly to shingles - draped with a decent weight plastic and used clamps...easy up, easy down :)

Celeste
 
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