Simple tips.....NOT so much technical, okay.?

[FRY1975]

Oil your air tools, especially after prolonged use. I know, I know.....but it will save the vanes and pistons/hammers(ie. internal components) Takes a few seconds.


More daily "simple tips" to follow!

Jeremy

[FRY1975]

Over the years, I have kept a log of particular findings on jobs. Even though service manuals will give you a generic troubleshooting guide. I have always found it best to log your own data. This way, you have a heads-up not only for the customer, but to set yourself apart from your peers.



Jeremy

[authement]

That's true Jeremy, about keeping a log.

I keep a log of my own. Back in my machnist days I would jot down the things that worked on a particular job, and what didn't, sort of like the what not to do book. The what not to do was always easier to remember. Still to this day guys will ask me about this and that and I'll whip out the ol notebook to see what I did years ago that worked. Machining iron is more like a recipe. It takes an exact combination of RPMs, tooling, and feedrate to make metal remove efficently. Without the trusty log, each job would be like the first time every time.

BTW....We are slammed with work right now. I could be looking at more than 30 days without a day off. I'll make it while I can. How's business for you?

Joey

[dirtysal]

BTW....We are slammed with work right now. I could be looking at more than 30 days without a day off. I'll make it while I can. How's business for you?

Joey

That's great news Joey! Make hay when the sunshines.

Sal

[FRY1975]

As Sal said, that is real great news buddy! Us? Well we just finished a big push, on delivering 10 new backhoe loaders to the City of Chicago. Had to install rock breaker kits on all the units. This is part of that 5 year deal with the city, supplying them yearly, with new units. Paving is going strong.....playing catch-up after the recent strike.


Going to get some windshield time today. Headed down state to Mokena, IL. Unit won't go into gear. It has a syncro shuttle/manual trans. Probably "hot-dogging it" and the shift forks are misaligned. Easy money buddy!


Oh, almost forgot! That outfit that bought all those skidsteers for snow removal last year.......bought 16 more new models!!! JCB had some engineer come over from Bobcat and totally reinvent them. Alot more cleaner.



Later,
Jeremy

[FRY1975]

Hey man! Stay organized! You are the face of the company, when on the job site. Act like you been there before.....even if you haven't. Apprentices....stick your noses in the books, while on site, until your service manager gets back to you. You can always say your putting a call into the factory/OEM, especially if the unit is under warranty and a fairly new model. Heck.....sometimes the manufacturer won't know. Actually more often than not.


You, as a tech., will help identify and fix problems that were not "hot tested" at the plant. Here is the scoop, techs. Manufacturers pump-out product lines. Which is good, will keep you busy. Depending on your part of the country, you will see different faults. And hey, stick-to-your-job! Shoot, CAT and John Deere have rented backhoeloaders from my company, only to tear them down and see what makes them tick. Every OEM has their "bread and butter product. So keep to learning the systems(ie. Electric, hydraulic, mechatronics...etc.) You can always bounce around. Hone your skills, and make yourself number 1!!! They will come to you.....especially the customers.



Jeremy

[RAM]

Here's a tip I heard from one of our maintenance guys at work. I saw him one day and asked "hey, you keepin busy?" He said "no, I'm kinda slow right now...but I found if you just walk really fast and look nervous, everybody will think you're busy"

So, there's my tip of the day...on days when you're not a busy as you should be, make it look like you are. I know that doesn't happen very often, but it does occasionally. Reminds me of my what my x-boss (now retired) used to say; "if you don't have anything to do, don't do it here"!

[saskfarmboy]

I have a tip for all mechanics, Mostly new ones but beacuse the the ones that have been around for a while know this. Never be afraid to keep a cheaper set of wrenches in your tool box. Because sooner or later you have to cut bend or make a tool out of them. I have several home made wrenches that i bent or cut for certain spots that no other tool will work. And belive me you almost cry ahen you have to do that to an expensive set.