You’ve invested an enormous amount of time, energy and money in your marketing efforts. The phone rings- you book the job. Life is good! So now the furniture has been moved, your vacuum and solution hoses have been laid out and the pre-spray sits glistening on the carpet. Mrs. Jones is waiting to be WOWED! Let the show begin!
But crank all you want, your truck mount (or portable or other piece of equipment) just won’t start and/or run. Talk about “all dressed up and no place to go”! That’s right- your lack of maintenance has come back to haunt you! (Been there- done that!)
First, puhleeease track your machine hours and make preventive maintenance a routine priority. Do it yourself or bring it in for professional servicing. (You know you want at an excuse to check out the new toys at Jon-Don!) Either way- just do it! The investment you make in routine maintenance will be more than compensated by avoiding ugly breakdowns.
HINT: Program your upcoming maintenance dates into your cell phone.
Second, puhleeease prepare for the unexpected. For example:
After the routine changing out of all your belts and hoses keep the used ones in the van as backups. In the event of a broken belt or hose the old ones will keep you going until you can replace them.
What other essential repair parts/tools should be kept on the truck? Here are a few SFS member favorites:
- A spare unloader valve.
- A high pressure solution pump valve and seal rebuild kit.
- Spare rotary extractor felt seals and valve kits.
- Cleaning and upholstery wand spare valve along with extra quick connect sets.
- Spare filters and miscellaneous brass fittings, hose clamps, silicone tape, heat wrap, extra electrical wire and the ever useful duct tape and baling wire!
NOTE: I found vibration was almost always the culprit with non-starting truck mounts. Vibration leads to loose electrical connections so check these first. That’s why we always kept a box on each truck with various crimp-on connectors and a crimping tool.
And what good are spare parts without tools? So we had a personal toolbox assigned to each tech with a hammer, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, an electrical meter and a good flashlight with extra batteries.
Steve Toburen
PS: So what onboard tools and parts did I miss? Your comments invited below.
Every week we share a timely, practical tip like the above. So if you’re not already signed up for these FREE weekly QuickTIPS, do so now.
This week’s FOCUS: In-the-home Do’s and Don’ts
DON’T bash the customer about their dirty carpets
DON’T alienate the customer with cell phone usage
DON’T “oversell” the Scotchgard application
DON’T be “too friendly” with the customer’s kids
DO properly introduce yourself and your team members
DO use caution while moving the customers furniture
DO something extra after the job
DO educate the customer on post-cleaning dangers
Download: Up-Selling Scotchgard in the Home
Download: Carpet Cleaning Inspections that Sell
Also new this week:
Other onboard tools and parts that you should have are:
Oil,WD40,RAGS, EXTRA HIGH PRESSURE SOLUTION LINES WITH FITTINGS FOR YOUR UNIT, A MUST FOR BLOW OUTS ON THE JOB. A MAINTENANCE BOOK FOR YOUR UNIT, AND A BOTTLE OF IBUPROFEN.
Great reminders, Terrance. Especially the Ibuprofen!
Thanks for your input.
Steve
PS I’d add to the above QT a couple of good 12V LED clamp lights. It is bad enough to be broken down without fumbling around in the shadows just one flashlight produces.
“Get to the problem before the problem gets to you!”
Spoken like the manager of a truck mount repair facility, Glenn. One who has far too many unhappy carpet cleaners waiting for YOU to fix their neglected TM’s! 🙂
Good to have you on here!
Steve
PS Folks, if you’re anywhere near the Philadelphia area you owe it to yourself (and your truck mount) to get to know Glenn’s team at our Langhorne Jon-Don store.