In this ever-changing world, the pressures on large world market corporations are many. They come from a host of items such as foreign competition, domestic competition, the value of the U.S. dollar, and we haven’t even mentioned the cost of transportation. Even the stockholders with their ever-growing appetite for profit have a significant influence on the way large corporation conduct themselves. So it is inevitable that cost cutting policies are enacted for the sake of profit. And, it is this driving force that is never ending.

    With this being said, it is not unusual for me to receive a half dozen telephone calls a month from mechanics, maintenance supervisor and purchasing agents asking for help to cut their budgets for maintenance items such as cleaning equipment and repair parts, etc.

    On one such occasion I received a phone call from a maintenance supervisor with five

    American Lincoln Sweeper/Scrubbers. They were model 7760. Let me give you a quick history on this model of machine. The forerunner of the Model 7760 was the Model 7000. Developed in the late 70’s, its original had a Y112 Continental and competed very well with the Tennant 527 at that time. Next came the Model 7700 in the late 80’s to early 90’s. This machine was equipped with the Ford 1.6 liter engine and was American Lincoln’s first in Sweeper/Scrubber. My personal opinion is that it is one of the best performing machines ever built. It is truly a real workhorse. Which leads me to the Model 7760. It is also a workhorse, however, its’ electronics has gotten into the way of easy repairs.

    The maintenance supervisor stated that his budget is being cut and needs a bare bones plan for his five machines. He asked if I could pull a backbone plant out of my hat. Yes, I can, and here it is:

            1. What ever plan you have in place now, throw it away.

            2. You have five machines which means you need

employees operating these machines per shift x 8 hours.

            3. 8 hour shifts, if permissible, change to 12-hour shifts. With

that you are able to lower your budget by five salaries and

everything that goes along with it.

If you are running 7 days a week with these machines,

then stop this practice. Change it to running six days

and on the seventh day do maintenance on your equip-

ment i.e. items such as changing oil, plugs, etc. Happy

equipment is maintained equipment and you will go a

long way doing this. Remember, breakdowns stop everything

and can be very expensive.

            4. With five machines you have 5 people per shift. So, keep

each person on the same piece of equipment. This way they

keep you appraised of problems. Maintenance means

high costs, so give the operator 1% of the savings each

year. You would be surprised what could be saved this

way.

            5. Use a reputable parts company. Also, try to purchase

your parts in bulk and insist on an additional discount.

If your parts house is not interested, go somewhere else.

    With these tips you should maintain your equipment at a rock bottom budget. If you want more information on parts or budget, please do not hesitate to contact me, Michael R. Creamer at 1-800-346-2319. I have over 30 years experience dealing with sweeper/scrubbers. Thank you.