Making it last as long as it should
This subject is near and dear to my heart because it is the kind of advice that
pays high dividends with so little time and investment and can have the
greatest reward to our sanity and well being.
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Just think of the last time you broke down and your plant came to a standstill.
Imagine if the breakdown could have been completely avoided and all those
problems, disappointments, loss of business and extra labor costs eliminated.
Here’s a short scenario from a call I once made to a local drycleaner.
Me: Tell me, what’s the first thing you do when you open in the morning?
Drycleaner: Open some windows, put the boiler on and start the coffee.
Me: Then what?
Drycleaner: Well, I’ve got my early morning customers and there’s the phone ringing and it’s not until 8 o’clock when my counter person comes in.
Me: Then what?
Drycleaner: Well, then it’s setting it up for my pressers, getting my drycleaning going and on it goes.
What are you getting at?
Me: To begin with, I’m curious when you start to look at some of these motors and clean-outs to make
sure they start up when you click that switch?
Drycleaner: What do you mean?
Me: Well, for instance, when do you blow down the boiler?
Drycleaner: What blow down? No one told me about that!
Need I go on? And believe me, this is a true story.
It seems most cleaners work under that old concept, “Don’t touch it unless it’s broken.” Or, “When all else fails, read the instructions.”
Would anyone in their right mind treat their car this way? Would anyone dare try
to commute to work with that kind of risky auto? Yet many drycleaners simply
run their operations with no planned preventive maintenance and forget their
investment.
It serves no purpose to stress the importance of a smooth-running plant, but I
think it makes sense to formulate a plan and a simple system of discipline in
following your program.
Step 1. Each motor, fitting and grease cup has a prescribed lubricant with a
specified viscosity. If a manufacturer's owner’s manual is not available, contact your local machinery distributor who can
arrange to have one available or, in many cases, can even offer a service
maintenance contract. Or you can look up lubricants in the phonebook and a
salesperson will call and order a small amount for each piece of equipment.
Step 2. All drycleaning units have lubricants that are solvent-resistant.
Step 3. Once the proper lubricant is designated for that motor, gear, etc., then
a reasonable schedule can be drawn up and adhered to on a steady basis.
Step 4. This is the last and most important step: Consistency! If your schedule is every
30 days, do it every 30 days.
How can you be sure to make plant maintenance a consistent habit? Set up a
maintenance calendar and color code the monthly schedule. Set up your
inspection program (steam coils, lint screens, etc.) and write in the date when
you complete the task. You can also use this same record to log in when you
replaced some equipment or how much you spent on repairs, etc.
You’re too busy for all of this? Then delegate the job to your presser, route driver
or spotter. Anyone can do it with minimal instruction.
I'm fond of telling the story of a drycleaner who used a local fireman who was
trusted with the keys to the plant so he could maintain, sweep up, clean lint
screens and even change cartridges, all for a few hours on a weekend when the
plant was closed.
When you consider what is accomplished, including peace of mind and no
interruptions, we have the ideal situation for a smooth-running and profitable
business.
Most people hurt a little when they have to buy new equipment that failed to
give the longevity and performance they have a right to expect. But are they
being fair?
What’s the answer?
Shop for good equipment from reliable sources and, if you’re not sure what you are buying, know who you are buying from. When you’re shopping, look for equipment that is built up to a standard, not down to a
price.
And most important, follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance and your
equipment will last and last and last.
