Spray Equipment Blog

Power Spray Equipment & Your Truck

Pest Control Magazine

Annual Truck Issue

 

Choosing the wrong truck for your power spray equipment can impact profitability and productivity. Be sure to consider some of the following factors when buying a truck to install your power spray equipment.

 

Many new trucks have features that can impact installation and use of power spray equipment. 

 

Payload Capacity – The truck must be able to safely haul your equipment. The heaviest component is usually your full chemical tank. Water weighs approximately 8.4 pounds per gallon. Too big a truck means higher purchase price, insurance and gas expense. Too small a truck can mean increased expenses for tires, brakes and transmission repairs.

 

New Versus Existing Power Spray Equipment

 

Truck Bed Size – Obviously the bed must be large enough to hold your equipment in the configuration you want.  It is not a good idea to assume that equipment that fit exactly the same way in a given truck make and model will fit in the current year truck of the same make and model.

 

There are fewer issues with the installation of new equipment since there is more flexibility than with installing existing equipment. 

 

Truck Bed Depth – The depth on the new Ford F-150 is greater than on prior year trucks. This can impact access to engine pull starts, hose reel and electric switches for pumps, reels, etc.

 

Bed Material – Some smaller trucks now have beds made entirely of plastic. Bed strength is provided by plastic ribs molded in the underside of the bed. More care is required when fastening equipment to these beds in order ensure stability and strength. Piercing a support rib might impacdt bed strength.

 

Gas Tank – The size, location and position of some gas tanks has changed. For some smaller trucks, it is not possible to access the bed above the tank. This can impact installation.

 

Clearance – Ground clearance on some smaller trucks has been reduced. Getting under the truck to bolt equipment or wire electrical components is a little more challenging. These trucks must be put on a lift or jack to gain access.

 

Electrical System – The electrical system of many vehicles is becoming more complex. Many vehicles have computer controlled electrical systems making wiring electrical components more complex and time consuming.

 

None of these issues is a show stopper. They are factors for you or your equipment provider to consider in selecting, laying out, installing and budgeting for equipment installation.

 

Andrew Greess is President, Quality Equipment & Spray, a leading manufacturer of high-quality pest control spray equipment.  You can reach Greess at Andrew@qspray.com or follow him at www.SprayEquipmentBlog.com or on Twitter.

Spray Equipment Cost – Purchase Price is the Tip of the Iceberg

PMP Magazine -March 2008 - Andrew Greess - Pest Management Equipment Columnist

Have you ever calculated what your pest management spray equipment actually costs?  Spray equipment cost is like the iceberg; only a small portion is visible.  The rest is hiding, waiting to sink your company ship. Don't assume purchase price is the same as cost.

Total equipment cost is comprised of the following costs:

• Purchase Price
• Installation
• Maintenance
• Repairs
• Productivity
• Longevity.

Let's discuss each component in detail.  Note: this article will focus on power spray equipment but the concepts apply to many types of equipment.

Purchase Price is the most obvious component of total cost.  Unfortunately, it is often the only cost that is considered in the purchase decision.  Purchase price includes total purchase price of the base unit plus any optional equipment, sales tax and freight.

Installation Cost includes the total cost of installing the equipment in the vehicle.  Generally speaking, rigs requiring electric power will cost more to install.  This equipment must be wired to the truck battery, which takes more time and requires wire, fuse, etc.  Be sure to ask your rig vendor if electrical components are included in the purchase price.

If you are installing the rig yourself, be sure you know what is under the truck bed.  Drilling through the bed into the gas tank adds significant cost.  Note: This observation is based upon personal experience.

Maintenance Costs include regularly scheduled maintenance, e.g., engine oil changes, pump rebuilds, spray gun rebuilds, etc.  Maintenance cost includes the cost of the components and labor.  Regular maintenance will extend the life of your sprayer.

We recently serviced a spray rig, in the bed of a John Deere Gator, with a broken engine pull cord.  Because of the rig design (not by Quality Equipment & Spray), we couldn't replace the pull cord without removing the skid from the gator.  A five-minute task became a 1-hour job.  Think of what this does to maintenance cost if you must remove the rig to change the oil.  Make sure equipment is designed for ease of maintenance.

Repair Costs. Does the rig constantly break down?  Repair cost includes not just the cost of the repair but the downtime that results.  Are replacement parts readily available?  Waiting for parts can be a productivity killer.

Productivity Impact. Does the equipment boost technician productivity or hinder it?   Are key components properly situated for easy, safe, ergonomic access?   Must the technician waste perform extra motions just to do her job?  (For more on this topic visit www.sprayequipmentblog.com).

Longevity/Replacement Cost. How long do the components last?  Are top quality components used?

Two examples.

One of the most expensive components is the gas engine.  Honda engines cost more than other engines, but will provide years of uninterrupted service if properly maintained.    This is not an area to try to save a few dollars.  The higher upfront cost is more than offset in reduced repairs and downtime and extended life.

Some of the cheapest components of your sprayer are the plumbing fittings.  Yet these inexpensive parts can cost you a bundle.  A plastic fitting in the wrong place can be easily damaged, resulting in chemical spillage and lost productivity.  Be sure you know everything you are getting when you order your sprayer.

Here is one final example from a large pest control company. The local office orders rigs from national.  The rigs are delivered to our shop, where we make improvements and modifications requested by local management before installing the rig.  The rig purchase is booked by national as a capital expenditure and the extensive modifications are booked locally as repairs.  The company does not know the total cost of their equipment.

As professional owners and managers, it is critical to the success of your business that you understand the true costs of your equipment.   Learn where your icebergs lie.

Andrew Greess is President of Arizona-based Quality Equipment & Spray, a designer and custom manufacturer of power spray rigs for parks and recreation applications, pest and weed control, landscape, pest equipment parts, etc.  He can be contacted via e-mail at andrew@qspray.com.

Filtration - Pest Control Spray Equipment's Best Friend

The single most important thing pest control and landscape spray equipment users can do for proper equipment operation is to ensure good filtration.

Read my recent article in Pest Management Magazine on this subject.

You can find all my articles at www.qspray.com.

Safety is Free - Keep It Clean

I am continually amazed at the number of pest control & weed control operators with filthy trucks: built up with spilled chemical and debris. This creates a poor image for your customers and a safety hazard for your employees who are exposed to the chemical.

There are 2 ways to overcome this problem.

Company policy - require your employees to keep their vehicles clean with regular clean out and wash.

Good design - Good design of spray equipment can help reduce chemcial build up and debris. At Quality Equipment & Spray, we design our sprayers for easy cleanout. By raising the base, our customers can easily take a hose and clean out their trucks with little effort.

Our philosophy is; if it isn't easy, it won't get done. Make it easy for your techs to keep their trucks clean by implementing good equipment design.

Note raised frame design in this 100 gallon pest sprayers.

Personal Protective Equipment

Every pest control professional (or weed control professional) knows that personal protective equipment (PPE) is a critical part of the job.

PPE is required by the chemical label, EPA, state regulatory agencies, company policy, etc. My experience is that while many pest control technicians (or weed control spray techs) are applying product they wear the appropriate PPE. However, we often see technicians that are not using PPE at other times. For example, when bringing in equipment for service, technicians often do not wear gloves when starting, running or carrying equipment. This creates a chemical exposure that puts the technician at risk.

Wear your PPE at all times when in contact with application equimpent or chemical. Insist your technicians do the same. Ride along with technicians to ensure they comply with Company policy.

Spray Rig Filtration - Straining for Results

I estimate that 50% of the repairs we make for our customers are avoidable, and the majority of those are caused by filtration problems. Here are my thoughts on filtration; I would like to hear yours.

Filtration is a critical consideration in spray rig design, but often gets little consideration.

Most spray rigs have one filter (aka line strainer), which is placed between the tank and the pump. The objective is to remove debris before it enters the pump and causes damage.

Some things to consider:

The filter should be plumbed so that it can be checked often. It must be easily accessible to the tech. If the tech cannot easily check it, it won't get checked, regardless of company procedures. Use filters that are easy to open and check (we recommend Hypro, Spraying Systems, Banjo, etc.) Also, if the tank is plumbed at the bottom, be sure to install a valve before the filter so you can check the filter even when the tank if full. If the tech doesn't check (and clean) the filter frequently, the pump will be starved for water and damage will occur.

Be sure you select the correct mesh strainer. Too coarse means debris in the pump and clogged guns. Too fine means clogged filter and starved pump.

If you work in an area with really bad water, you may need additional filtration. Some ideas:

Filter on the tank fill - This helps prevent debris from getting into the tank.

Filter basket in the tank - This helps prevent debris from getting into the tank. Downside - Techs remove the baskets and lose them.

Dual In-Line Filters - Place two filters between tank and pump. The first is very course to trap large debris, the second is fine to catch the small stuff.

Most importantly - develop your Company policies and procedures to require technicians to check filters on some periodic basis. Do spot checks of filters and be sure the techs see you checking the filters. This one point will mean money in your pocket thru lower repair bills and less downtime.

Gate Valve & Easily Accessible Filter

Dual filters: first coarse, then fine

Filter on tank fill

Power Spray Equipment & Your Truck

There are many factors to consider when purchasing a truck for a equipment-based business. One issue to consider is how your desired power spray equipment configuration works in your truck. Many new trucks have features that can impact installation and use of power spray equipment. There are fewer issues with installation of new equipment since there is more flexibility in selecting and locating new equipment versus existing equipment.

Some factors to consider:

Payload Capacity - The truck must be able to safely haul your equipment. The heaviest component is your chemical tank when full of water. Water weighs approximately 8.4 pounds per gallon. Too big a truck means higher up front cost and higher insurance and fuel bills. Too small a truck can mean increased expenses for tires, brakes and transmission repairs.

Truck Bed Size – Obviously the bed must be big enough to hold your equipment in the configuration you require. It is not a good idea to assume that equipment that fit in your old truck will fit in the current year make and model of the same truck. Manufacturers do change bed dimensions.

Truck Bed Depth – Manufacturers sometimes change the depth of truck beds, e.g., Ford’s F150 beds are deeper than they were a few years ago. This can impact technician access to engine pull start, hose reel handles, or electric switches.

Bed Construction – Some smaller trucks have beds made entirely of plastic. Plastic ribs on the underside of the bed provide bed strength. More care is required when fastening equipment to the bed to ensure stability and strength. Piercing a rib can impact bed strength.

Gas Tank – The size, location and position of gas tanks on some models has changed. For some smaller trucks it is not possible to access the bed above the gas tank. This can impact installation. For example, it may not be possible to install your water tank directly above the gas tank because there is no access to tighten bolts above the gas tank. In this case, the water tank must first be mounted to a metal frame, which can be fastened elsewhere in the bed.

Clearance – Ground clearance in some smaller vehicles is reduced. Getting under the truck to tighten bolts or wire electrical spray components can be more challenging. These trucks must now be put on a lift to gain access for installation.

Electrical System – The electrical system of many vehicles is becoming more complex. Many vehicles have computer controlled electrical systems that makes wiring more complex and time consuming.

None of these issues is a showstopper. They are factors for you or your equipment provider to consider in layout, installation and time and cost budgeting for equipment installs.