Masonry Magazine May 2005 Page. 23
General Maintenance Tips
SOME GENERAL MEASURES that you should take to protect your investment in cleaning equipment are:
Just like a pickup truck or forklift, cleaning equipment will last longer if one person is responsible for using it.
It is a good idea to have a preventative maintenance checklist attached to the machine in a clear plastic protective envelope-along with a pencil - so that operators can check off the preventive measures taken and make notes about needed maintenance. (If you don't have a checklist, call me at the phone number listed at the end of this article and I will send you a preventative maintenance checklist that you can modify to apply to any equipment.)
Don't let the machine freeze. If cold weather is expected, fill the water-handling system with automotive antifreeze or windshield washer fluid. Make sure the fluid is through the heating coil and the hoses.
Use Teflon thread tape on all plumbing connections when reassembling. Fix any leaks as quickly as possible.
Keep the high-pressure water hose out of wheeled traffic or protect it from being run over.
Filter the water going into the pump and clean the filter frequently. Water from new plumbing systems and fire hydrants probably will have contamination that may damage the water pump and valves.
Some people have spread the belief that, if you have a hot water cleaning machine, you should run it at the end of the day without the heater on to let the coil cool off. This is not true. In fact, leaving the coil hot will cut down the internal rust because the heat will dry the coil and likely prevent rust from occurring.
Breaking it Down
Now, let's get a little more specific. Each of the four main elements of your cleaning equipment - the engine, the water pump, the water heater (if you are getting the advantage of hot water) and the chemical feed system - has its own preventative maintenance needs.
You probably were supplied with an engine maintenance schedule that should be followed. However, if it's gone the way of most maintenance manuals and can no longer be found, here are some general pointers:
Change the engine oil - using a multi-grade SAE oil - every 100 hours.
Change the oil filter when you change the oil.
Change the fuel filter every 200 hours.
Clean the air filter every 50 hours and change it at 200 hours.
Clean the spark plugs after 50 hours and change the plugs after 200 hours.
The Engine
Try these good ideas to keep the engine working longer:
Keep your cleaning equipment away from the area where you are spraying so that the water and chemicals are not drawn back into the air intake.
Make sure the electrical connections to and from the battery and the grounding source are clean, tight and free of corrosion.
Don't let water get on a hot engine.
If you are going to store your washer for a period of time, drain the fuel from the entire system and replace the oil.
GIBCO'S MRF
ADMIXTURES THAT ENHANCE THE PERFORMANCE OF MASONRY MORTAR
Replaces Lime
Greater resistance to Freeze & Thaw
Lower Batch cost
Reduced Shrinkage
Less Storage & Handling
Avoids Waste less calls backs
Non-toxic
GIBCO INDUSTRIES. INC.
PO Box 880, LANGLEY, OK 74350-0880
1-800-822-0802
www.gibco-usa.com
Cleaning Systems
For New and Restored Masonry
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