CMM - January 2012
A certified repairman can help keep your equipment functioning properly reducing costly downtime www cmmonline com 19 equipment can save money and keep workers productive all while continuing to deliver the level of service your customers and clients demand Although fixing existing equipment can cost roughly 50 percent less than procuring new equipment the practice of fixing broken machinery is not always preferable You really need to examine the cost of refurbishing and the expected additional life of the machine versus buying a new piece of equipment notes Bill McGarvey director of training and sustainability for Philip Rosenau Company Inc Other considerations would be budgetary constraints length of contract for building service contractors BSCs training requirements etc Sometimes the cost of repairs will not be recouped through the use of the equipment in which case it might be wise to purchase a new apparatus Hold On To What You Can If you ever have the privilege of speaking to a veteran JanSan professional you likely have heard them echo the thought that they just dont make them like they used to As George Maleno service manager at Philip Rosenau Company Inc points out there are old floor machines still around that if you can get the parts are every bit as good as if not better than some of todays low end models JanSan equipment has an expected lifespan and because not each piece of machinery will last forever some are better candidates for repair and retrofitting than others Typical lifespans of common JanSan equipment include Vacuum cleaners Three to four years Carpet extractors Three to five years Burnishers Five to eight years Autoscrubbers Five to 10 years It should be noted that nothing is indestructible but if proper care and maintenance are given to a piece of equipment it can last well beyond its expected life It should go without saying that the opposite is also true Now What Okay youve made the decision to squeeze another couple of years of quality operation out of some of your more pricey equipment Your next question is Who do I get to perform the repairs While some larger operations may have a dedicated repair technician on staff the vast majority of in house service providers and BSCs do not Instead of taking a gamble and hiring such an individual many of these folks choose to partner with their local distributor or with a regional manufacturer representative to arrange for repairs and retrofits It is a good idea to work with a knowledgeable individual because many warranties can be voided if repairs are performed by anyone who is not factory trained and certified And if you employ multiple lines from various manufacturers in your daily operation having your dedicated repair individual certified many times over can become a financial burden Sending your equipment out to be repaired or retrofitted by qualified personnel ensures a timely turnaround with documentation that the work was performed properly Such services usually come with some form of a warranty for the work performed an added bonus that you cannot get with a dedicated repair technician Ensuring Long Life Although it is likely to cost less to repair or retrofit a piece of equipment it is still an operating expense most would like to avoid at all costs In addition to following manufacturer recommendations as to daily and weekly maintenance McGarvey provides the following tips to maximize the life of equipment Shut equipment down and empty recovery tanks when full as overfilling recovery tanks leads to vacuum motor failure Shut equipment down when clean solution tanks are empty because continuing to run equipment may damage pump motors Clean all equipment and store properly Check cords daily to make sure they are in good repair Empty vacuum bags often preferably when they are half to threequarters full Wipe down equipment every day which not only keeps them looking better but also makes it easier to spot a potential problem Report problems to supervision immediately Do not operate equipment that is unsafe A Cost effective Strategy The rule of thumb is that if the cost of the piece of equipment you are repairing or retrofitting is 75 percent or less of the cost to purchase a replacement it is good business acumen to go through with the repair Another good gauge If you can get another year or two of good service out of the piece of equipment after repairing or retrofitting it it is likely better to defer the replacement Each situation is unique however and depending on your operating budget you may have increased liberty to purchase new equipment more frequently than others CM
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