We have had a number of technicians and PCO's stop in the past week. They asked us to service their pumps because they were losing pressure. It turned out all that was needed was to clean their filters. We gave them a lecture, but no invoice, and sent them on their way.
Checking and cleaning your spray equipment filter is the best thing you can do to reduce downtime and repair expense. Here is an article I had published in Pest Management Magazine last year.
Would you like to boost
productivity, improve service and reduce repair expenses? When it comes to pest
industry spray equipment, the single most effective means of achieving these
results is proper filtration.
Filtration is the removal of
suspended foreign material from water. Foreign material can be dirt, sand,
rocks, trash or anything else that makes its way into your spray tank, other
than the chemical you've added.
Filtration is critical to pest
management professionals (PMPs) because debris will wreak havoc: damage pumps;
clog hoses, guns and tips and starve pumps of water, causing extensive damage.
Our service facility estimates that almost 50 percent of sprayer repairs are
avoidable if proper filtration design and operation is implemented.
While I'm focusing on power sprayers
in this column, much of the information also applies to compressed air sprayers
and backpacks.
DESIGN
Design includes equipment selection,
placement and access. Selection should be based on material being applied,
quality of water, technician compliance and the type of pump.
Most PMPs can get by with one line
strainer between the tank and pump. Note that a line strainer refers to the
complete unit, which contains a metal filter. However, the mesh of the filter
is important: Too fine, and it will clog quickly; too coarse, and small debris
will get through.
If your water source is poor, use
additional filtration. For example, many termite pretreaters in new home
developments rely on water lines filled with debris. For some clients, we've
added a line strainer on the hydrant fill line, a filter basket in the tank
fillwell and/or two line strainers between the tank and pump. In the last
situation, the first filter is coarse and the second is fine — a combination
that works well to eliminate most debris.
Some pumps require more filtration
than others. Roller pumps, for example, are sensitive to debris and require
better filtration than diaphragm pumps.
It's critical that the filtration
device be located for easy technician access. This includes being able to
easily reach and check the filter, as well as ensuring the system is plumbed so
the filter can be checked without causing a spill. If the tank is
bottom-plumbed and the strainer is below the water level in the tank, be sure to
install a shut-off valve so the filter can be checked even when the tank is
full.
Whatever filtration system you and
your equipment provider design, try to standardize it across all your vehicles.
OPERATION
Checking and cleaning the filter is
the single most valuable preventative maintenance task you can perform. It's
also the easiest.
For new equipment, check the filter
daily. If there's consistently no debris, consider reducing the frequency. When
you determine the appropriate frequency, make it a company policy. Too often is
better then too seldom. Reinforce the importance of checking and cleaning the
filter.
MAINTENANCE
Eventually the filter will become
too dirty to clean. Replace it. Chemicals will eventually swell the gasket in
the line strainer, making it impossible to create an airtight seal and causing
the pump to suck air. Replace the gasket.
Equip each vehicle with an extra
filter and gasket so the technician can perform this repair in the field. If
you've standardized your filtration, this is easy.
Eventually the line strainer body
may crack, causing an air leak. This requires replacement of the entire unit.
These steps, if followed, will boost
productivity, allow you to provide better service to your customers and reduce
repair expenses.
Questions, comments?
Andrew@qspray.com
Would you rather have your pest control spray equipment down for servicing now or in the middle of summer?
The high season for pest control is approaching. Now is the time, when business is still a little slow, to get your spray equipment in fighting shape for the long hours and hard use it will undoubtedly endure. Taking a little time to prepare now will reduce downtime during your critical busy season, as well as help reduce equipment repair expenses by fixing small problems before the become big problems.
The first thing to do is give your tank a good cleaning. Tanks often experience a buildup of chemical residue caused by pesticides falling out of suspension and accumulating on the bottom of the tank. This can cause a variety of problems.
1. The buildup can affect the concentration of the material you are applying. For example if you are getting toward the bottom of the tank and some of the residue came free, you could be applying material at higher than label rates. Alternatively, you could be inadvertently applying a different chemical from an earlier mix.
2. The residue could come free and clog filters, hoses, guns, tips, etc. All of these outcomes are negative and may affect equipment availability, technician productivity and repair expenses. At best, clogged equipment will cause your technician to lose time. At worst, it will destroy your pump.
3. The cleanout process will remove other dirt, rock and debris that accumulate in a tank that likewise plays havoc with your downstream components.
Here are some thoughts for cleaning out your tank:
A. Get the tank as empty as possible without running your pump dry.
B. Fill the tank with clean water and run it through your system. Remove the spray gun so it does not get clogged. Periodically check the filter to be sure it does not clog. Be sure to follow all applicable laws when dealing with the rinsate. If you do not have a good place to spray out the rinsate, spray it into another tank on a different truck.
C. Add a little more clean water to the tank. This time we do not want to fill the tank we just want enough water to feed the pump and fill the hose. We want most of the tank to be visible. Turn up the pressure on your system and use your spray gun pressure wash the inside of the tank. Add more water then spray out this rinsate as in “B” above.
D. Fill your tank with water and add tank cleaner. Tank cleaner is available from your pest control products supplier. Most of these products use 1 pound of tank cleaner per 100 gallons of tank volume. Put the spray hose end into your tank and let the system just circulate the tank cleaner for a while per the label directions. This will remove any remaining chemical residue. Properly dispose of the tank cleaner rinsate.
E. Run another tank of clean water through the system to remove any remaining tank cleaner.
F. Sometimes there may be debris remaining in the tank after you have finished the cleanout. This could be stones, bottle caps, etc. We don’t have a good solution for you here. You need to find a way to manually remove this debris so it doesn’t end causing problems later. If your filter is at a low point in the system, it might be easiest to remove the filter then use a garden hose to wash debris out of the tank then out through the filter.
G. Finally, check and clean your filter to ensure it is debris-free and ready for your busy season.
A clean tank is a good tank. It requires a bit of effort but you will be repaid in reduced downtime and fewer, less expensive equipment repairs. Spend time now preparing your equipment so your equipment can make you money this summer.
To share equipment ideas or horror stories, email Greess at Andrew@qspray.com or follow him at www.SprayEquipmentBlog.com or on Twitter.
Safety is Free. Pest Control Vehicle Load Safety.
Pest Management Equipment safety is not just a good idea, it’s a great investment. Inattention to safety has huge financial implications: increased expenses (workers comp, clean ups, medical bills, lawsuits, repairs, etc.), lost productivity, employee turnover, customer impacts, bad publicity, etc.
I will discuss vehicle load safety. By this I mean:
- Visibility
- Load security
- Flying Objects
- Vehicle control & stability
I raise this issue because our repair facility has seen an increase in the number of totaled pest control trucks. I am not sure of the reason for this. Some possibilities:
- Smaller trucks (easier to total in an accident)
- More equipment in truck
- More traffic
- More time on the road
- More bad drivers (at least in Phoenix, AZ).
These accidents have caused us to think about what our customers can do to protect themselves, their employees, and their companies. Here are some ideas.
1. Visibility – Make sure that equipment does not create blind spots for the driver.
2. Make sure it’s secured. You don’t want equipment sliding around in the back of your truck. It is dangerous to the driver, distracting and can damage your expensive equipment.
3. Don’t assume it’s attached. You don’t want equipment flying off your truck crashing into people and property. Even if the accident wasn’t your fault (or your employee’s fault), if your equipment hits someone, a lawyer will sue you. Periodically check your equipment to ensure it’s secured to your truck. For example:
Spray Rig – Is it securely bolted to the truck? Are bolts tight? Is the correct fastening system being used (e.g., nylock nuts are unlikely to come loose)?
Tank – Are the tank straps intact? Snug? Secure? Do they show any signs of wear? Perform a thorough inspection periodically. You do not want a tank flying off your truck, becoming a water-filled projectile. A 50-gallon tank weighs over 400 pounds when full. It will destroy whatever it hits.
Tool Box – Tool boxes are usually bolted through the bottom of the tool box to the truck. Inspect for rust, fatigue, or other wear around the bolts. If the material around the bolts is weak, in the event of a crash, the box may fly off.
B&Gs, Backpacks, etc. – most of our clients put these in a snug place in the truck. They are prevented from rolling around but they are not secured from being launched should an accident occur. A one-gallon steel sprayer hitting another car’s windshield at 60 miles per hour will not be pretty. Secure these items appropriately. As a side benefit, this could also help reduce theft.
4. Load Stability. This is particularly important as PMP's shift to smaller trucks to improve gas mileage. Some ideas:
- Don’t over load the vehicle
- Balance the load
- Pay particular attention to your water tank. At 8.4 pounds per gallon, the water in your tank is likely the heaviest component on your truck. There are two issues with the tank:
A. The weight of the water
B. The surge of the water in the tank.
Anyone who has hit the brakes at intersection with a partially full water tank knows that these are serious issues.
The answer to the water weight issue is don’t overload the truck, i.e., make sure the tank is not too large to safely control the vehicle.
The challenge of tank surge is that most tanks are not properly baffled to reduce the surge. Most plastic (poly) tanks are not baffled and most fiberglass and steel tanks, if baffled, are baffled only in one dimension. There is a new class of instant tank baffles that can be added to the tank at any time. These baffles suppress surge on all three axes (left-right, front-back, up-down) to virtually eliminate surge. This makes the vehicle much easier to control and stop.
Conduct these inspections periodically to ensure you and your employees are being as safe as you can be.
Andrew Greess is the President of Quality Equipment & Spray, which designs and builds custom pest control spray equipment solutions. He can be reached at andrew@qspray.com. For more information on this topic or to share your comments, visit his blog at www.sprayequipmentblog.com.
Just finished building our Termite Central page. We want to make it easy for our clients to find difficult to find termite tools, injectors, rods, sub slab injectors, flow meters, termite plugs, etc.
Would appreciate your comments on the page and also your suggestion on what other tools we should add.
Thanks.
Lots of pest control sprayer companies talk about the quality of their equipment. I thought i would share some photos to demonstrate how we build pest control spray rigs at Quality Equipment & Spray. Our client was t-boned at an intersection. The truck rolled 3 times. Driver was banged up pretty good; the passenger walked away. The only damage to the sprayer was the pest control hose reel roller guide was bent. In fact, the hose reel & reel lift prevented the passenger side compartment from collapsing and crushing the passenger, one of our clients.
Sprayer intact, despite 3 rolls. Steel bands held tank secure. Some companies use rubber bands or fabric straps to secure tank. Quality Equipment & Spray uses steel straps.
Cox Hose Reel & Quality Equipment & Spray heavy duty reel lift protect passenger cab from collapse.
Any questions? 800-675-7485
Safety is Free. The Little Things Also Matter.
Safety is not just a good idea, it’s a great investment for your pest management equipment. In attention to safety has huge financial implications: increased expenses (workers comp, spill clean ups, medical bills, lawsuits, repairs, etc.), lost productivity, employee turnover, customer impacts, bad publicity, etc.
I will discuss how small parts can have a large impact on safety. By small parts I mean:
- Hoses
- Fittings
- Clamps
- Valves
I raise this issue because many PMP’s pay attention to the expensive components of a power spray rig (pump, motor, reel, etc.) but often overlook the small stuff. While these small components may not be expensive, the wrong component in the wrong place, or a worn component can cause serious safety issues such as chemical spills, chemical exposure, or burst hoses spewing chemical under pressure.
1. Hoses -
Periodically inspect hoses for damage, wear, cuts, nicks, sun damage, cracking, etc. In addition to spray hose, be sure to check hoses between tank, pump, reel, etc. If one of these hoses bursts while the technician is at the end of 200 feet of spray hose, you will have a heck of a chemical spill to clean up.
Check supply hoses to make sure that truck vibration is not causing abnormal wear. If you see this type of wear, replace the hose and wrap the new hose with a larger diameter hose to prevent the same problem from reoccurring.
2. Fittings & Clamps -
There are huge variations in quality of clamps and fittings. For example, fittings can be steel, brass, black pipe, PVC, nylon. Fittings are almost never specified when buying a new rig. The wrong fitting in a critical position can be disastrous. A fitting that is too short, thin, or weak can crack under pressure, vibration or torque, resulting in an expensive spill.
Some things to look for:
- Higher pressure systems require sturdier, heavier-duty fittings.
- Fittings attached to valves that are turned or hoses that are pulled need to be heavier-duty to handle the stress.
- Fittings in key or high-risk positions should be heavier-duty to reduce risk. For example, the pickup fitting coming out of the bottom of a tank is critical. If it breaks, the tank will empty.
- Fittings for larger diameter hoses, such as on termite pretreat rigs, should be sturdier and longer to handle the weight of the hose.
The situation with hose clamps is similar. Make sure your rig has good quality clamps that can stand up to pressure, wear, abuse, etc. On high pressure rigs, consider double clamping hoses for extra security.
3. Valves -
A strategically placed valve can be used to reduce the risk of leaks, spills and downtime, while only minimally adding to cost. For example, a valve before in front of the spray gun reduces the risk of a leaking gun and a valve before your line strainer allows the technician to check the filter regardless of the amount of water in the tank.
Inspect hoses, fittings and clamps periodically to find problems and ensure you and your employees are minimizing risk and being as safe as you can be. When purchasing a power sprayer, pay attention to all components, not just the expensive ones. Email me to share your safety ideas and experiences.
Andrew Greess is the President of Quality Equipment & Spray, which designs and builds custom pest control spray equipment solutions. He can be reached at andrew@qspray.com. For more information on this topic or to share your comments, visit his blog at www.sprayequipmentblog.com or follow on twitter.
B&G Sprayer Check Valve swollen to almost twice normal size.
Technician did not replace check valve on B&G Sprayer. We understand trying to get full value from your equipment but this is ridiculous. Tech should have done preventative maintenance and proactively inspected and replaced check valve, or kept a check valve in the truck as part of an Emergency Repair Kit. Instead, tech had to drive to our shop, wasting time and gas and impacting customers in order to purchase a part that costs a few dollars.
For a copy of our article on creating Pest Control Spray Equipment Emergency Repair Kits, or to receive our newsletter that has lots of ideas to reduce equipment problems and downtime, send us an email.For more examples of Spray Equipment problems and how to avoid them, visit our equipment problems page.
A technician brought in a B&G Pest Control Hand Sprayer and asked us to repair it. He said it wouldn't spray. A quick look revealed the sprayer had never been properly cleaned. The filter screen was completely clogged. Here is a photo the screen along with what a new one should look like.
As you have read in this blog, it is critical that you check and clean the filter of your Pest Control Sprayers, whether power or manual.
In this case, the sprayer was a total loss. The cost to clean and repair the B&G Sprayer was too high to justify the repair. The client could have avoided this expense by ensuring his pest control technicians were cleaning and servicing their sprayers.
For more examples of spray equipment problems, visit our pest control equipment problem page.
