Recently I received a call from a friend I had not heard from in a while. He took a job over maintenance for a rental company with all types of equipment. Among this equipment he had sweepers and scrubbers. They are listed below:

                        Tennant Sweeper, Walk-Behind 186 LPG

                        Tennant Sweeper, Walk-Behind 42 Gas

                        Tennant Sweeper, Rider 255 Gas

                        Tennant Sweeper, Rider 275 II LPG

                        Tennant Sweeper, Rider 285 Diesel

                        Tennant Scrubber, Rider 528 LPG

                        Tennant, Scrubber, Rider 7400 LPG

        When he called he said, "Mike, I need help with this equipment. This equipment has not been maintained properly. What advice can you give to start a program? How would you proceed if it were your equipment?"

    Sweepers and scrubbers are high maintenance equipment and if it were mine this is how I would respond. The very first thing you want to do is make a chart for each piece of equipment. Take the hour meter reading for each piece and an overall visual. Since I know all the equipment is in working order (re: engine, hydraulics, etc.) I would skip this for a later time.

        For the sweepers, I would clean the hoppers first. Wash them out and let it dry completely. I would then replace the hopper filters. Secondly, I would replace all the skirts on the hopper and then around the main brush and brush chamber. I would then readjust the main brush and side brushes.

        For the scrubbers, I suggested that they empty the solution and recovery tanks. With a high pressure hose wash them down. I would re-adjust the two scrubbing brushes that work in conjunction with each other. Replace the rear squeegees (inner and outer) and adjust. The rear squeegee should be angled ½ inch for a proper adjustment. Also, replace the side squeegees and adjust in the same fashion.

        Now, for all the engines I would:

                                                #1 Change oil and filter element

                                                #2 Change the engine air filter and empty dust cap for restriction indicator.

                                                #3 Replace radiator coolant.

                                                #4 Replace hydraulic fluid because this equipment is older.

        With this all complete, you are now ready to maintain your fleet properly. Remember, the hour meter readings you took earlier? We are going to maintain this equipment by these readings and below will be your list. It is condensed for this article.

        DAILY

                    Check engine air filter

                    Check engine oil level

                    Check skirts

                    Check main and side brushes

                    Check scrubbing brushes

        50 HOUR LEVEL

                    Change oil and filter

                    Rotate main brush end for end

        100 HOUR LEVEL

                    Inspect & clean hopper filter

                    Check radiator coolant level

                    Check hydraulic level

                    Check tire pressure

        200 HOUR LEVEL

                    Check alt and fan belt tension

                    Check governor

                    Check parking brake adjustment.

        400 HOUR LEVEL

                    Engine: Check & adjust valve clearance

                    Check & adjust idle speed

                    Check & adjust carburetor

                    Replace spark plugs

                    Check distributor and adjust timing

                    Change hydraulic fluid and filter element

                    Replace diesel fuel filter

                    Check grease level for steering gear

                    Lubricate wheel bearings.

        Was my buddy happy with this info, you betcha. This rental house now feels that new equipment is not necessary and thanked me for saving them some $120,000.00. My response, "It’s all in a days work."

Any questions or comments e-mail me at mikec98423@yahoo.com

                                                            Michael R. Creamer