SUB FEATURE
STRIPING & MARKING EQUIPMENT NEEDS
Time to assess and upgrade
By Jeff Winke
E nd of year seems to be the time when things are in a swirl . There is a mix of nostalgia , recollection , and reflection , and the holidays .
It definitely appears to be the time when assessment and planning take place . Contractors find themselves asking … Did we accomplish everything we intended for the past year ? What are the plans for the coming year ? And are the tools and resources there to succeed ? “ When approaching the end of your striping season , your thinking about your equipment will generally consist of two things : ( 1 ) repair / maintenance items and ( 2 ) new equipment / accessories for next season , if you can find a good deal ,” stated Mike Vangstad , global product marketing manager for pavement maintenance and turf products , Graco , Inc ., Minneapolis , Minnesota . “ During the off season , you will want to do all necessary equipment repairs so that you are ready for the next season -- pump repacks , replace worn hoses , replace filters , etc . This may also be a good time to add any accessories that could increase your productivity for next season , such as laser guidance systems . Finally , it ’ s a good time to keep your eyes open for end of year deals on stripers for next season to avoid next year ’ s price increase .” The time of year may be opportune for buying new equipment . “ As the season winds down , you should consider buying equipment that both will increase your revenue to close out the year , and also with an eye to generate growth for upcoming years ,” stated Cam Roberts , founder of Stripe It Academy , British Columbia , Canada . ‘ You can look at additional striping machines to reduce time spent on color changes , or even look at machines that will allow you to expand services , such as grinding tools or thermoplastic equipment .” Roberts continued , “ Not all striping jobs are the same . A striping machine that has a larger pump , multiple guns , automated layout capabilities , or a laser can make you a lot more efficient on larger projects , meaning less money spent on labor in the field . Having those smaller machines is great for smaller projects where you don ’ t need ‘ heavy artillery ’ to complete the job . Avoid trying to push a small , single-gun machine to do large projects . The undersized equipment will be stressed and make quality work more difficult .” Reflecting on the past year can get the wheels rolling on various options .
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