Spray Equipment - Don't Wait for that Problem

When it comes to your spray equipment, if you know you are about to have a problem, fix it now, don't wait.
A good friend of mine once told me, "if  I have to eat sh-t, I want to eat it all now. I don't want to come back for seconds. I don't want to nibble a little bit for a few days.  I want to be done with it".

The same applies to your pest control equipment and your weed sprayers.
Look at this photo of a mosquito fogger. 
The plastic hoses and PVC fittings are severely sun damaged.  The pest control technician came in one day and said, one fitting on my fogger broke, can you fix it?

We said yes we can, BUT!  Here is the but:  All the fittings and hoses are made from the same material, they all had the same amount of hours of operation on them and they all had the same chemical through them and the same exposure to  the Arizona sun. 

We told the technician that since one fitting failed, it was a certainty that all the fittings would eventually fail.  We suggested he let us replace them all.

He said he could not spare the time and would take his chances.  3 days later he was back with another broken fitting.  We repeated our concern.  Again he was too busy.   The next day, when the 3rd fitting failed, he called us to schedule an appointment to replace them all.

Think of all the downtime his company incurred.  Not to mention gas and payroll to and from our shop three times and having to explain to the client three times why the job wasn't finished.  Also, by definition, every hose or fitting break on this machine is a chemical spill.

I run a business; I understand schedules.  But this was crazy.  We (and the tech) knew there was going to be a problem.  Technician was so worried about spending an hour that he wasted many times that.

If you see something on your spray equipment is going to be a problem, get it fixed.  It will be faster and cheaper than putting it off.  Comments?

Your Power Sprayer Tank is NOT a Trash Can

The tank on your power sprayer is not a trash can.  This may sound obvious, but our spray equipment repair experience proves it is not uncommon for spray techs to use their spray tank as a trash can.

Here is a great example.  Client brought their weed sprayer in for service, reporting pump not functioning properly.  We found the power sprayer filter clogged with disposable rubber gloves.  The white stuff is dried herbicide.  The tech assumed that since there is a hole in the top of the tank, it must be for trash.

This spray equipment problem is common.  Some of the stuff we have found in tanks (power sprayer and manual sprayers): beer cans, soda cans, food wrappers, rocks, men's underwear, Honda pull cord.  The most common foreign object found in spray tanks: labels from pesticide & herbicide labels.  Often the debris gets caught in the filter.   Sometimes debris can clog the output line starving the pump.  This is particularly a problem with top pickup, which uses a pickup tube to suck material to the top of the tank.   Heavy stuff like rocks usually sits in the bottom of the tank.

Here are some key points:
1.  instruct techs that nothing goes in the tank except water and chemical
2.  techs don't listen, so
3.  re-instruct techs that nothing goes in the tank except water and chemical.
4.  spot check filters regularly to find/remove any debris
5.  periodically completely clean out spray tank. For manual sprayers, clean out monthly; power sprayers  clean out quarterly.
6.  run clean water through the entire system to help prevent chemical buildup. Consider using a tank cleaner product to increase effectiveness of cleanout.

Read more: http://www.qspray.com/blog/#ixzz2LN7RIgO1

Spray Equipment Safety - Secure Your Load

Spray equipment is expensive.  You rely on it to service your customers and make money to support your family.  Take care of it.  In addition to using your spray equipment properly and doing required preventative maintenace, it is critical to make sure it is secured in your vehicle.  Look at this photo:
 
The backpack is in the bed of the truck, unsecured.  There is a bungee cord, not attached to anything (nice landing - wrong airport!).  If there is an accident or the driver is forced to make a sharp stop or turn, this backpack will cause problems.  There are a number of risks apparent in this photo:
1.  The backpack sustains damage, causing chemical spill (perhaps on spray tech), downtime, repair expense, etc.
2. The backpack flies through the rear windshield, hitting the driver.  Ouch!
3.  The backpack slams into the pump, causing pump damage.  Pump damage equals: chemical spill, downtime, repair expense, etc.
4.  The backpack flies out of the truck in the event of an accident, perhaps hitting another vehicle.  Can you say "lawsuit"?  It is not worth losing your company over this.

Take a minute at the start of your day to ensure all your weed spray equipment and pest control spray equipment is properly secured to prevent damage, spills and injuries.  Don't just check your backpack sprayers and B&Gs.  Periodically check toolboxes, tank straps, skid sprayers, etc. 

Here is the key point:  Just because its in the truck, don't assume it is attached.

Qspray - Need Your Help

We just revised the look and navigation of our spray equipment website, www.Qspray.com.  If you have minute please check it out and give us your feedback and comments.  We appreciate it.  Thanks.

Professional pest control companies need to trust who they purchase equipment from

Which is why many turn to Quality Equipment and Spray of Phoenix for their pest and weed control equipment. They are definitely a company you can trust.

www.qspray.com

Professional pest control companies need to trust who they purchase equipment from

Which is why many turn to Quality Equipment and Spray for their pest and weed control equipment. They are definitely a company you can trust.

www.qspray.com