With regards to the post below, "What do you do when this happens?".


How many of you have checked your own Big Yella to see if there is any fatigue cracking around the weld joints. ??

Periodic checking of things like this during your monthly (or whenever), maintenance of Big Yella, may prevent loss of time on a job down the track.

I know many of us forget to do stuff like this when we should (well I do anyhow ), I would like to see what ideas you guys have to do your maintenance.

I now have a very simple plan for myself.

In my diary, I pencil out a particular day and time each month to do maintenance.

I simply mark it in as equipment maintenance and block off the hours.

When I get a new diary, I mark those days in for a full year, along with all my other regular carpet cleaning/upholstery jobs, as well as any important dates, such as 09/29/10 - 10/01/10.

I also run Quicken Customer Manager & in that I mark in what equipment is to be checked and what the checks are.

I only have to type it in once and hit the repeat button for the times I want.

This is not just for Big Yella, but for all my gear.

If in the week that I am due to do my checks, I have a slack period, I do the checks there and then rather than sitting around reading the forums.

Hope this may help someone.

Ooroo,

Shortestwun.

I've seen the light, and changed my wicked ways.
www.get.shorty.com.au

Fortunately that was an easy fix!

I am curious since I have mex down for a few days, what other things I should do besides the routine cleaning...

I am currently re painting the yellow & blue, probably a new bumper, should I get a belt too?

Any thing else would be appreciated

It's a good idea to keep a belt on hand if your machine has loaded up some hours on it. That way you'll be ready when the belt starts to slip. But generally speaking, the belts start slipping gradually, so you'll have an early warning that it's getting closer to needing a replacement. Aside from the belt, there's not much in the way of "wear" that you need to consider. They normally just go and go. "Takes a licking and keeps on ticking".





Rick Gelinas

Common sense tells me that I must do things.

As I suffer badly from K.R.A.F.T. this is why I have the two back-ups to remind me.

You ask what else to do to Big Yella, here's a couple of ideas.

Check your cable, make sure that it is not coming adrift at the male connection from guys pulling on the cable instead of the plug.

Check it also for any kinks or lumps that may cause an electrical problem down the track.

Check the grips, are they loose and slide easily?? If so, remove them, clean the insides and also clean down the steel handle before refitting the grips.

Check the filter or remove it completely from the solution tank.

Check the solution line from tank to base for any cracking or leaks.

Check the valve for leaking.

Remove the solution tank and check for any cracking around where it sits on the steel bracket on the handle, there is a small recess where it locates onto a short length of steel, I have had cracking around that area in which I had to get a new tank.

While the tank is off, check the bracket for rust and cracking, you don't want the solution tank falling off when working.

Check that the bumper strip is located in the clips properly.

Clean out the solution lines to the pad holders.

Clean the base with the pad holders off.

Clean the crap from the sides of the pad holders.

Gently wash and polish the entire machine.

A clean machine speaks volumes about your work even before you start.

Change the wheels to BIG WHEELS.

I also cut the fifty foot lead off and just use extension leads for the length I need for the job.


Many will say I have gone overboard on this, but I like to keep my gear in good condition if possible.

Ooroo,

Shortestwun.

I've seen the light, and changed my wicked ways.
www.cairnscommercialcarpetcare.com.au

Nice list, Shorty. While I do most of those things, there were a couple I hadn't thought of.

Nice list to have for new & old users alike!