EXPERT ADVICE
• Take educational training courses . There are business , operations , and technical courses offered by the National Asphalt Pavement Association ( NAPA ), equipment manufacturers , and trade colleges .
• Budget for next year , with realistic cost estimates for labor , materials and all overheads .
• Clean the appearance of your equipment . Make special efforts to enhance your company image , equipment , apparel , signage , literature , lastly the overall customer service experience . It will certainly give you a leg up on your competition .
Contractors can take advantage of slow time and season shut downs by performing equipment maintenance .
“ Of course , standard winter maintenance should occur , but with extended periods of down time it is a great time to take care of those neglected items that are often overlooked or just ‘ lived with ,’” Mixell said . “ Look at things like wiring and lights , axles , brakes , batteries and switches that could be in poor condition or rigged up in a hurry and never properly fixed . Worn or leaking ball valves are often overlooked , until they completely fail just like pump and cylinder seals . Hydraulic systems should be flushed and suspect hoses replaced . Engines should be overhauled with new plugs and filters . Down time can be used to fixed temporary taped wire splices or replace damaged wires . Axles and hubs should be greased and brake shoes replaced . After the past year , everyone should be starting their season with a machine that looks and works like new .”
Werner stated that key maintenance activities the sealcoating contractor will want to conduct during the winter shutdown should include :
• Cleaning the tank from any built-up dried sealer , and clean the mixing paddles
• Clean the melters
• Grease your mixer / agitator chain and bearing
• Drain all your air tanks and lines
• Check your connections , valves , gaskets and tips
• Check that all hoses are free from leftover material , check for leaks and proper fit
Additionally , Werner stated , “ Making sure your equipment is in the proper working order is imperative for the start of your next season . No contractor wants to show up to their first sealcoating job of the season and be delayed due to not having taken advantage of the shutdown
1.800.210.5923 [ 21 ]
January 2021