New tricks and tips

cajun cleanin said:
I finally had enough of the friggin screw backing out and the handle falling off of the ball valve I use to swap from my sc to a wand and put locktite on the screw.I hope it holds.

Tell me about some little things that you do to make life easier on the job.
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My ball valves have a nut on the handle. I was over the nut falling off about 4 1/2 years ago and started doing the same thing on all new ones before I ever even hook them up. All my guns(wands) and surface cleaners all have zip ties holding the triggers on. I got tired of using a tennis ball and or a cable clamp. The balls would always fall out and the clamps were always in the way.
 
Larry Millette said:
My ball valves have a nut on the handle. I was over the nut falling off about 4 1/2 years ago and started doing the same thing on all new ones before I ever even hook them up. All my guns(wands) and surface cleaners all have zip ties holding the triggers on. I got tired of using a tennis ball and or a cable clamp. The balls would always fall out and the clamps were always in the way.
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Thats not entirely safe ya know.

:rolleyes:

(We use the tennis ball) :D
 
I just never figured it was that big a deal to hold the wand open by hand.
 
I knew someone would chime in with that one. I was just waiting. :rolleyes: LOL
I'm aware of the risks but knock on wood I have not had any issues yet. I did however have an insident when I used a tennis ball. I triped over a step going backwards and the wand went for an amusement park ride around the back yard. :eek: It actualy whipped by my head at one point while I was on the ground. Funny thing is, is that the ball never came out. It finally got stuck up against the lady's shed...Some guys use cable clamps. Guess what. Those don't stop it either.....I've just been lucky I guess.
 
Scott Stone said:
I just never figured it was that big a deal to hold the wand open by hand.
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Scott, there is alot more freedom of movement when the trigger is held open and your not gripping it. I could never see myself spending hrs holding on to that thing. Heck my hands cramp up now once in awile!
 
Larry Millette said:
Funny thing is, is that the ball never came out.
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If you punch a hole through the ball and get 2' - 3' of nylon rope, push the rope through the ball and knot it. Tie the other end to your belt, so if you drop the gun, the ball pops out.
 
BELT? Who wears a belt? :D LOL. That is a good idea though. Kinda like being on a waverunner. They normally have a wristband attached to a kill switch incase you fall off. That would work!
 
Larry Millette said:
My ball valves have a nut on the handle. I was over the nut falling off about 4 1/2 years ago and started doing the same thing on all new ones before I ever even hook them up. All my guns(wands) and surface cleaners all have zip ties holding the triggers on. I got tired of using a tennis ball and or a cable clamp. The balls would always fall out and the clamps were always in the way.
Click to expand...

We always use an open gun. I have 2 to 3 man crews when using a open gun for safety issues. Reason is this... our pumps have lasted 16 years with only once changing out the rings. ( That was the 16th year ). I believe the reason is this:

We always have used a open gun. Though we have an unloader, it is solely for safety reasons, along with the high pressure and high temp switch. I believe that by using the unloader, shutting off and on the flow, for a millisecond, you are creating a massive surge of pressure before the unloader can react. This constant off and on tends to "Wear Down" the pump/ O Rings/ hoses/ and unloader. Also, having the boiler come on, then off, then on, then off, in a matter of minutes is just not an ideal situation of a boiler. I have seen guys use that trigger as if it was a squirt gun.

I also believe people do not "Cool Down " their equipment properly. Just stopping it after a work out is not a good thing. Pitchers in Baseball have to warm up before they pitch and then cool down afterwords properly. We warm up our equipment 5 minutes before full use by turn on the engine at low to mid RPM's. Fill the pressure hose line with water ( Get all the air out and the substance that may be in the line).

In shutting the unit down, we cool the boilers down to 130 or less degrees before shutting off the flow of the water. Then we cool down the engine at 1100 RPM's for 3+ minutes ( 900 rpm is idle). Our Boilers usually last 8 to 10 years. Our previous engine is still running after 18 years. (a 3 cyl Kubota D700 ) However, I do not know about these new 3/4 inch Boilers. So far, 3 years on the first rig, and still going strong.

Take this for what it's worth. Many of you may think it is hogwash. But if your equipment dose not last as long, maybe there is some truth in what I have said here. LOL:)
 
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