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larryh

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Posts posted by larryh

  2. Posted · Report reply

    In Arizona we are both an at will and right to work state. That is probably part of the reason for the huge growth of Phoenix in the past 30 years.

    According to the interpretation of the rules here, At will means that you can be excused by an employer anytime, anywhere without notice. It also means that you are not required by law to give an employer notice before walking off the job.

    Right to work means that you do not have to join a union at any time, even in a union shop.

    Scott Stone

    Same in Texas. Many people construe the term "Right to Work" to mean that you have a guaranteed job. Not so!

  4. Posted · Report reply

    On a warm summer day in August of 1984 my career in the power washing industry began as an entry level employee for RAHSCO Mfg. Company. My job consisted of testing new pressure washers prior to their delivery to the new owners. Coming from a background in high speed manufacturing of beverage cans for the previous 18 years this wasn’t much of a challenge considering I had been supervising a multibillion dollar operation with more than a hundred employees. So needless to say I quickly became bored with my newly found career and began looking for a way to utilize my past experience to bring growth to my new employer. I continued this cycle for 26 years. Times changed, faces changed, people prospered, companies grew and some people left the industry. The industry has grown stronger and will certainly outlive those of us who cared for it in its infancy. Now nearly 27 years from that August day it is time for me to bid a fond farewell to the thousands of people that have been so good to me over the years and to thank you so much for making my life in the power washing industry such a happy one. The month of December will be my last to work in this industry. I will try to monitor the industry bulletin boards and will be reachable through my facebook page should anyone wish to discuss pressure washers or anything for that matter.

    Till Then

    Larry Hinckley

  8. Posted · Report reply

    Beth,

    I wish you the Happiest of All Birthdays that you have ever known! I know that your special day will be on Sunday but it may take a whole week to pre-celebrate. You are a Special Lady who has done so much for others, and I wish you all of the happiness that you so richly deserve.

    Uncle Larry

  10. Posted · Report reply

    12 VOLT BURNER SYSTEMS

    The 12 volt burner system must be perfectly balanced to eliminate problems. Some of the parameters are:

    1. Battery 750 CCA

    a. The battery must stay fully charged.

    b. Terminals must be clean and tight.

    c. The battery must have a good ground.

    d. The ground between the battery and the entire

    frame must be good.

    2. The charging system must charge at least 13.1

    volts and a minimum of 15 amps if using a

    transformer with a drop out timer or 20 amps

    using a transformer without.

    3. The engine speed is critical to maintain the

    charging rate.

    4. The electrode settings must be exactly as set forth

    by the machine manufacturer.

    5. Fuel pressure must be as established by the mfg.

    6. The burner exhaust must not be restricted.

    7. The blower motor must be maintained, brushes,

    bearings, etc.

    8. Fuel nozzles should be changed at least twice each

    year.

    9. Fuel filter should be changed every 2 months

    at a minimum.

    10. Top quality fuel must be used.

    11. Air band settings should only be made by qualified

    personnel with the correct test equipment.

    12. All components of your pressure washer must be

    operating correctly or the burner can be affected.

    13. It is advisable to use a fuel additive such as Red Devil Soot Remover.

    14. Fuel tanks should be topped off each day prior to putting the unit away for the night.

    This is what I have learned by working with these burners since they were first used in our industry.

  11. Posted · Report reply

    Water: Nature's Own Chemical-Free Cleaning Solution

    By Todd Schaeffer

    Vice President and General Manager, Activeion Cleaning Solutions, LLC

    Water — it is what we have used to clean for thousands of years. It is the safest liquid we know and, in fact, we are mostly made of it. Without water, there would be no life on earth.

    Water is very familiar to us in our everyday life, but how much do we really know about it?

    Here's a quick lesson in water trivia. Water is one of the most unique substances on earth — one of only a few substances that in its normal state is neutral, neither acidic nor basic. It's the only natural substance that can be a solid, liquid and a gas. The solid form of water — ice — is also unusual because it has a lower density than its liquid form. That's why ice floats. And, did you know that when water changes from a solid to a liquid it actually expands?

    Water has very high surface tension, what chemists refer to as "sticky." This means water sticks together and forms droplets rather than spreading out in a thin film. Great for some things, but not so great for cleaning. Throughout history, we have found that adding cleaning chemicals to water reduces its surface tension and improves its cleaning ability. Chemicals combine with water to help it spread more evenly over a surface to come in contact with more dirt, and actually attract dirt and oil, which helps clean with less work.

    What we didn't always understand were the toxic effects many of these chemicals were having on our bodies and the environment. But times are changing. Recent advances in technology now allow us to activate water's natural cleaning ability to transform it into a powerful cleaner – without adding chemicals. This water activation process can replace many of today's chemical cleaners, improving our health and our planet's well being.

    Toxic Chemicals in Our Water

    Using cleaning chemicals means that we are often in contact with substances that are toxic to humans, animals and the environment. And, those chemicals don't go away. When a surface is cleaned, some chemical deposit is generally left behind, exposing people to continued toxic residue.

    Evidence to support eliminating cleaning chemicals is mounting. Several studies link cleaning chemicals and chemical residue with health and safety risks. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans spend more than $75 million each year on medical expenses and lost-time wages due to cleaning chemical-related injuries. A study reported in the Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine demonstrates an increased risk of asthma in adults who are frequently exposed to spray cleaning chemicals.

    Our environment suffers too. The Clean Water Fund released research recently that indicates Americans pour 32 million pounds of toxic cleaning chemicals down the drain each year.

    Although adding toxic chemicals to water does help remove dirt, it appears that it isn't the best long-term solution to keeping things clean for our health and safety.

    Many articles, including in The Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times are pointing to American attitudinal shifts related to cleaning products. Increasingly, consumers have concerns about exposure to toxins, and want to know more about the effects of the chemicals used around them every day to clean. People are concerned about the impact chemicals have on the health and safety of not only the user, but others exposed to the cleaners as well. And people are looking for new ways to clean that aren't harmful to themselves or their environment.

    Electrically Activated Water

    Now, there is hope for a better effective daily cleaner — water. Recent findings show that "activating," or adding a slight charge of electricity, to tap water makes it clean better than water in its natural state. And toxic chemicals can be completely removed from the process.

    When electricity is applied to water, it behaves differently. In fact, this activated water performs much like water mixed with cleaning chemicals. But the process doesn't require toxic chemicals to be effective.

    Professional cleaners are calling activated water ‘the miracle liquid.' But it's not new. The idea of applying electricity to water to make it behave differently has been known for years.

    The science of activated water begins with a process called electrolysis, which dates back to inventor and scientist, Michael Farraday (1791 – 1867) and his other contemporaries. Classic water electrolysis involves placing two electrodes into water, connecting one electrode to the positive end of a power source and the other electrode to the negative end, like the (+) and (–) of a typical 9 volt battery.

    Applying a small amount of electricity to water in a way similar to classic electrolysis actually breaks down the water's molecules. This process reduces water's natural surface tension and creates positively and negatively charged water ions. In some applications it even adds microscopic oxygen gas bubbles that also carry an electrical charge.

    When applied to a surface in this new form, water can spread to contact dirt, mimicking the way it does when mixed with chemicals. The charged ions in the water attach to the dirt and help lift it from the surface. Studies show that electrically activated water cleans as well as, or better than, traditional general-purpose cleaning chemicals. And the electrically activated water is completely safe. It returns to its natural state in about 45 seconds.

    Electrically activated water is being applied in the cleaning industry in several ways. Some companies offer wall-mounted systems. A leader in commercial cleaning equipment has incorporated the technology into onboard automatic floor scrubbers, and a recent development incorporates a version of this technology into a convenient hand-held spray device for on-demand portable cleaning.

    Uses for electrically activated water are expanding. Already, many professionals use electrically activated water technology to clean in hospitals, schools, universities, hotels, and restaurants. These professionals are turning to the technology as a versatile general-purpose cleaner for many surfaces, including glass, stainless steel, wood, stone, marble, plastic and carpet. Activated water has been proven to attack soils, stains, grease, grime, soap scum, mold, mildew and bacteria. And, in some forms, activated water has even been proven to sanitize.

    Trends in health and wellness and interest in reducing toxic chemical use, combined with solid scientific support for this technology indicate a rapid shift toward employing activated water as a cleaning solution.

    Safer. More Profitable. Environmentally Sustainable.

    It's easy to see why professionals in the cleaning industry might view electrically activated water as a miracle liquid. For people who regularly touch and breathe in typical cleaning chemicals, electrically activated water is a welcome replacement.

    According to an EPA-sponsored report, each year six out of every 100 cleaning professionals are injured by the chemicals they use, from burns to the eyes and skin, to injuries from breathing toxic fumes. Activated water frees everyone from serious health risks caused by touching, breathing or accidental splashing of toxic cleaning chemicals.

    Beyond being safer, activated water also helps sustain greener environments. It eliminates the need for disposal of harmful toxins into the earth. And, it reduces the resources required to manufacture, package, and ship dangerous chemicals. By using activated water, there is no need to purchase bottles of cleaner in any form. This not only eliminates chemical use, but the packaging for these chemicals as well, reducing unnecessary waste in landfills.

    Using water technologies instead of chemical cleaners can save professional cleaning companies considerable money each year. Cleaning with activated water eliminates the need for purchasing, receiving and stocking general-purpose, glass, carpet and stainless steel cleaners, and sanitizers. Using activated water also dramatically diminishes the time cleaning professionals might spend mixing, filling and disposing of dangerous chemicals. All that's needed is tap water to refill each activated water system.

    Activated water is an accepted cleaning tool. It works as well as general-purpose cleaning chemicals and contains no toxic chemicals, making it safer and healthier for the people who clean, the people who live and work in the spaces being cleaned, and the environment. The combination of health benefits, environmental impact and cost savings make the use of electrically activated water systems a true game-changer for the future of the cleaning industry.

    And that should make everyone breathe a lot easier.

  13. Posted · Report reply

    STOLEN EQUIPMENT ALERT!

    MISSING ON : Friday, November 27th.

    HOT WATER PRESSURE WASHER

    BRAND: MI-T-M

    MODEL : HDS-3505-OH6G

    SERIAL # : 15049196

    LOCATION: Oklahoma City

    This equipment has their stickers and DOT #'s all over it.

    Contact:

    CETA

    Sherry Helms

    Executive Director

    P O Box 1710

    Indian Trail NC 28079

    704-635-7362 or 800-441-0111

    Contact:

    Cindy Cook

    Special Projects Manager

    Chappell Supply & Equipment

    412 N Rockwell Ave

    Oklahoma City, OK 73127

    405-495-1722 or 800-525-4970

  16. Posted · Edited by larryh
    Mis-spelled words     · Report reply

    12 VOLT BURNER SYSTEMS

    The 12 volt burner system must be perfectly balanced to eliminate problems. Some of the parameters are:

    1. Battery 750 CCA

    a. The battery must stay fully charged.

    b. Terminals must be clean and tight.

    c. The battery must have a good ground.

    d. The ground between the battery and the entire

    frame must be good.

    2. The charging system must charge at least 13.1

    volts and a minimum of 15 amps if using a

    transformer with a drop out timer or 20 amps

    using a transformer without.

    3. The engine speed is critical to maintain the

    charging rate.

    4. The electrode settings must be exactly as set forth

    by the machine manufacturer.

    5. Fuel pressure must be as established by the mfg.

    6. The burner exhaust must not be restricted.

    7. The blower motor must be maintained, brushes,

    bearings, etc.

    8. Fuel nozzles should be changed at least twice each

    year.

    9. Fuel filter should be changed every 2 months

    at a minimum.

    10. Top quality fuel must be used.

    11. Air band settings should only be made by qualified

    personnel with the correct test equipment.

    12. All components of your pressure washer must be

    operating correctly or the burner can be affected.

    13. It is advisable to use a fuel additive such as Red Devil Soot Remover.

    14. Fuel tanks should be topped off each day prior to putting the unit away for the night.

    This is what I have learned by working with these burners since they were first used in our industry.

  18. Posted · Report reply

    PWNA-Founding member- Networking with people in the industry is a definite benefit. I learn something new every time I attend a meeting.

    *****- See above

    IKECA-joined 19 years ago, met many nice people who have helped me further my business, many I consider good friends.

    BBB- member 25 years, a definite benefit fo any business that is involved in retail sales.

    IWCA-I have learned many things to grow my knowledge base so that I might share with people in the power washing industry. I have gained many new customers and friends.

    NFPA- In the many years that I have belonged to this organization I have saved my company money and gained information that aided my company in staying on the cutting edge of technology in training.

    BSCAI-Networking and gathering information and potential leads that benefit my customers.

    BOMA-See Above

  19. Posted · Report reply

    Hey guys Im going to be buying a trailer within the next few weeks and i just wanted to know what the biggest trailer I can pull without reaching a point of diminishing returns. i.e. when will the trailer become too big so that the storage space doesn't benefit as much as getting into small places.

    I am looking at enclosed trailers and it looks like the smallest i could get away with is a 7x14 tandem, however I am seeing 8x20 tandems for around the same price. I just want to know if an 8x20 is too big? I want to be able to do parking garages and drive throughs with water recovery and I just dont want the trailer being the thing that holds me back from getting large jobs.

    I dont forsee weight being an issue, the truck is a chevy 2500 longbed with 4.10 rear and is wired for brakes. Also the trailer will have 550gallons of water in it MAX, and then all the equipment for surface cleaning and recovery. Does this all sound within limitis? The axles are 3500lbs each on the smaller trailers and then 5000lbs each on the larger ones.

    Thanks for any help, Im just trying to see some of the things I am missing.

    Be careful of the height if you are working in parking garages. This can be as much of an issue as the length. Keep your unit maneuverable. For enclosed trailers you may want to consider having doors on both sides as well as the back.

  21. Posted · Report reply

    Hey folks,

    We need some opinions here. I would give mine, but it would obviously be biased. Okay, you get my opinion anyway.

    Each chapter covers a different application. The chapter should get you started if you have never cleaned what it is talking about, then you can tweak the information to what works best with your style.

    We've never had anyone ask for a refund.

    Error

    This takes you to the guidebook on the Cleaner Times website, don't know why it says "error".

    Beth, If I have overstepped what is proper for me to post, please delete this.

    Stay safe & hydrated,

    Chuck

    No book will do your thinking for you. A book is only supposed to be a point of reference. I have never read anything published by Advantage Publishing that wasn't well worth the price. They employ only the very best. Some day Charlene Yarborough will be properly honored for what she and her company have done to further this industry.

    Just My Opinion

    Larry Hinckley

  22. Posted · Report reply

    Your unit has a pressure trapping unloader. As you crank the engine pressure builds up and locks the engine down. You can purchase an easy-start valve to solve this.

    At 2.8gpm your water volume is too low to effectively run a surface cleaner. Your next major investment should be a higher volume unit {5gpm or more}.

    Quick coupler O Rings will have a tendenancy to fail when the coupler is installed at the discharge of your gun. People have a habit of using the QC as a swivel thus causing them to fail.

    With 240ft of pressure hose you may have trouble getting your injector to work.

    Let me know if I can help.

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