Numerous types of engines are utilized for several types of pressure washers. It can also vary depending on the range and setting of the applications. The large majority of high power washers used in commercial works, generally have gasoline or diesel powered engines. Since the majority of professional cleaning demands large amount of time, these types of engines could run a lot longer without overheating in comparison with their electric powered version. And because most commercial works are carried out out-of-doors; and often or mostly offsite, where there is no electric source. The ones with electric motors are generally useful for light to moderate washing works and are best applied to indoor applications as these engines don't produce harmful fumes.
You've now reached the "root" of your pressure washer device, the high pressure pump motor. They are all positive displacement reciprocating pumps either piston or plunger kinds. Plunger pumps are definitely the most efficient and have a lengthier existence, consequently these are by far the most often used pumps available on a superior pressure washer today.
You will find duplex and triplex plunger pumps. Plungers are generally constructed from ceramic, a really durable material with exceptional wear resistant properties. The triplex pump is the most in-demand due to smoother flow it creates.
These pumps are incredibly sturdy and essentially hassle free whenever adequately maintained. Many people are suspicious of the pump when first having difficulties but incredibly 90% of issues can be tracked to factors aside from the pump.
Exception: The most notable exception is in the scenario of sewer jetting. In this case the pressure washer is designed to unblock and thoroughly clean sewer lines. Just for this usage 1/4" and 1/8" thermoplastic hoses are an advantage because of the capacity to make extreme flexes within hoses.
The standard size for pressure washer tubes is 3/8"OD . This is because many pressure washers have a rating between 3-5 gallons each minute flow. If your system exceed a flow rate of 5gpm or should you be considering on using more than 100' of hose continuously then take into consideration 1/2" OD hose. Many lesser pressure washers of suspicious quality advertise pressure washers with 1/4" thermoplastic protected tubes in 25' lengths. For me this has been a tip to investigate quality issues further ahead of any purchase. Standard quality hoses are available in 50 ft lengths.
TIP: Should you be considering to use 100 ft or higher hose continuously don't invest in a 100 ft hose, buy a couple of 50-foot hoses and join them together as this way if your hose go bad or need replacing you can keep working and you will not lose an extremely highly-priced hose.
A black or red rubber hose can easily impart marks on surfaces, this may be a concern when pressure washing roof tiles or when you are performing flat work on concrete. In such cases use blue or gray covers as these tend not to leave marks or scuffs. These are known as "non-marking hose".
Yellow coverings are normally made so that the hose is much more resistant to the issues of oil, grease, and animal fats, which are often utilised in rendering plants along with other commercial applications. If you are working at heights, remember that all of the weight of your pressure washer hoses when containing water may be dragging on the hose fittings.
2011年10月23日星期日
2011年6月29日星期三
when the unit is started
Pairing tradition with technology, groundsmen combine their experience with the latest industry trends to maintain a picturesque turf. Education is a must to keep up with the latest research findings in the business. And, as groundsmen adapt to new turf and grass recommendations, equipment manufacturers try to stay par for par by incorporating new technology in their latest designs of turf maintenance machines.
Of all these turfcare trends, topdressing is one that has been evolving since the early days of golf. What began as a generous aTopdresser1pplication of sand, which was applied only a couple times each year, has developed into a process that is practised much more frequently with a very precise amount of material. Proper equipment is needed to adhere to these recommendations and, fortunately, manufacturers have adapted with the times to maximise the accuracy of their machines, whilst minimising the physical footprint and eliminating unnecessary maintenance. One could say they have the design of topdressers down to a science.
Whilst several types of topdressers are available - from large units capable of tackling par-five fairways to small walk-behind machines - we'll focus on the small towable units. These are large enough to vastly improve efficiency over walk-behind equipment, but are gentle enough to handle topdressing applications on the most precious areas: greens and tees.
On Target
The United States Golf Association (USGA) has been recommending lighter applications of topdressing material and, over there, some groundsmen are spreading sand at less than 1mm. To maintain such a light depth in a uniform application, a topdresser's feed system, gate, spinner and controller all must work together to achieve results that are on target with individual needs.
The traditional method of feeding material to the spinner is a conveyor system. Just as the name hints, a conveyor is used to move material from the hopper, through the gate and onto the spinner. This system works well in high-capacity units, where a wide belt is capable of moving large amounts of material from the hopper. But, where conveyors excel in quantity, they lack in consistency.
Recently, manufacturers have developed auger systems, which feed a more accurate amount of material onto a precise spot on the spinner. With the help of a digital readout, the operator is able to see exactly how many pounds of material he is spreading per minute according to his auger speed setting. This technology has increased in popularity, not only for its consistent, measurable material flow, but also for its ability to handle diverse materials, rather than just pure sand. Since the auger diameter used in these units is typically 150 to 180mm, they don't have the capacity to deliver as much material as large conveyors, though.
Material waste is another important consideration in many new designs. Again, auger feed designs excel in this category, as conveyors have a tendency to drag sand underneath the machine and spill it onto the ground. But, in order to reduce material waste upon startup and shutdown, some manufacturers have developed an automatic procedure for when the unit is turned on and off.
When all topdresser components are shut off at the same time, a build-up of material is typically left on the spinner. Then, when the unit is started, the operator experiences a sudden rush of material that leaves a clump of sand on the ground. To prevent this occurrence, and keep the system cleared at all times, some machines will automatically power up the spinners before the feed system starts, and then shut the spinners off a few seconds after tTopdresser2he material flow stops.
Next, a few spinner enhancements have been developed to help accommodate personal preferences. These include tiltable spinners, which help control how material is propelled into the turf canopy. Also, some designs incorporate spinners with adjustable paddles for further fine-tuning the spread pattern.
Even the gate plays an important part in the feeding process. It helps regulate material flow and, in some topdressers, it can be electronically actuated from the seat of the towing vehicle. The positive locking feature on these electronic units is especially handy for quickly closing and opening the gate when moving from one green to the next. This prevents material from bouncing out during transport.
Regardless of the feed system used, any topdresser can be inhibited by material that lumps together - especially wet sand. This occurrence prevents a consistent flow of material to the spinner, reducing the accuracy for which greenkeepers strive. However, many units now contain vibrators to eliminate the problem by breaking up such material.
Finally, to manage all of these components, controllers have started to become more sophisticated. Like the topdressers themselves, controllers come with varying abilities - from basic to more advanced. The simplest machines may require the operator to make adjustments on the machine itself, which becomes difficult for pinpointing the desired settings. But, by using the latest technology, the operator can mount electronic controls in the towing vehicle and manage each of the components independently from the cab. The industry is beginning to trend toward the technology of independent controls, which allows a topdresser to spread accurately and helps to prevent material waste.
Of all these turfcare trends, topdressing is one that has been evolving since the early days of golf. What began as a generous aTopdresser1pplication of sand, which was applied only a couple times each year, has developed into a process that is practised much more frequently with a very precise amount of material. Proper equipment is needed to adhere to these recommendations and, fortunately, manufacturers have adapted with the times to maximise the accuracy of their machines, whilst minimising the physical footprint and eliminating unnecessary maintenance. One could say they have the design of topdressers down to a science.
Whilst several types of topdressers are available - from large units capable of tackling par-five fairways to small walk-behind machines - we'll focus on the small towable units. These are large enough to vastly improve efficiency over walk-behind equipment, but are gentle enough to handle topdressing applications on the most precious areas: greens and tees.
On Target
The United States Golf Association (USGA) has been recommending lighter applications of topdressing material and, over there, some groundsmen are spreading sand at less than 1mm. To maintain such a light depth in a uniform application, a topdresser's feed system, gate, spinner and controller all must work together to achieve results that are on target with individual needs.
The traditional method of feeding material to the spinner is a conveyor system. Just as the name hints, a conveyor is used to move material from the hopper, through the gate and onto the spinner. This system works well in high-capacity units, where a wide belt is capable of moving large amounts of material from the hopper. But, where conveyors excel in quantity, they lack in consistency.
Recently, manufacturers have developed auger systems, which feed a more accurate amount of material onto a precise spot on the spinner. With the help of a digital readout, the operator is able to see exactly how many pounds of material he is spreading per minute according to his auger speed setting. This technology has increased in popularity, not only for its consistent, measurable material flow, but also for its ability to handle diverse materials, rather than just pure sand. Since the auger diameter used in these units is typically 150 to 180mm, they don't have the capacity to deliver as much material as large conveyors, though.
Material waste is another important consideration in many new designs. Again, auger feed designs excel in this category, as conveyors have a tendency to drag sand underneath the machine and spill it onto the ground. But, in order to reduce material waste upon startup and shutdown, some manufacturers have developed an automatic procedure for when the unit is turned on and off.
When all topdresser components are shut off at the same time, a build-up of material is typically left on the spinner. Then, when the unit is started, the operator experiences a sudden rush of material that leaves a clump of sand on the ground. To prevent this occurrence, and keep the system cleared at all times, some machines will automatically power up the spinners before the feed system starts, and then shut the spinners off a few seconds after tTopdresser2he material flow stops.
Next, a few spinner enhancements have been developed to help accommodate personal preferences. These include tiltable spinners, which help control how material is propelled into the turf canopy. Also, some designs incorporate spinners with adjustable paddles for further fine-tuning the spread pattern.
Even the gate plays an important part in the feeding process. It helps regulate material flow and, in some topdressers, it can be electronically actuated from the seat of the towing vehicle. The positive locking feature on these electronic units is especially handy for quickly closing and opening the gate when moving from one green to the next. This prevents material from bouncing out during transport.
Regardless of the feed system used, any topdresser can be inhibited by material that lumps together - especially wet sand. This occurrence prevents a consistent flow of material to the spinner, reducing the accuracy for which greenkeepers strive. However, many units now contain vibrators to eliminate the problem by breaking up such material.
Finally, to manage all of these components, controllers have started to become more sophisticated. Like the topdressers themselves, controllers come with varying abilities - from basic to more advanced. The simplest machines may require the operator to make adjustments on the machine itself, which becomes difficult for pinpointing the desired settings. But, by using the latest technology, the operator can mount electronic controls in the towing vehicle and manage each of the components independently from the cab. The industry is beginning to trend toward the technology of independent controls, which allows a topdresser to spread accurately and helps to prevent material waste.
2011年3月13日星期日
End of season in sight for plow crews in Canton, Potsdam and elsewhere in St. Lawrence County
After weeks of nearly continuous effort, a good-sized March storm, and lots of overtime, plow crews and their bosses in Canton and Potsdam are looking toward the end of a snow season more difficult than last winter.
The season has been more challenging than 2009-10, but overall it was fairly typical of most winters, according to most area highway superintendents.
And while most of them don't think they have yet seen the worst of rising fuel prices, even with contracts meant to contain costs, they have been paying more than $3 a gallon, and it's going up.
Town of Potsdam Highway Superintendent John Keleher says his department's overtime requirements have amounted to about 200 more hours through February last year, but his sand usage through February is probably about the same as last year, around 5,800 cubic yards, and it's been "a normal winter.
"We worked straight early January through February, a couple of months of every day" moving snow and ice," Keleher said. When they weren't plowing the roads, his crews "moved snow from around mailboxes, driveways, intersections."
So far, runoff hasn't caused any major problems for Keleher. His department has used a steamer truck to clear frozen culverts to prevent overflow and damage to roads. With a steam genny mounted in the bed and an 80-foot hose, "they blow a hole right through them," Keleher said. They have cleared about 15 culverts this winter, and have helped out the village, which does not have a steamer.
Terry Billings, Town of Canton Highway Superintendent, says his department has been "well within budget" for the season, while requiring "about 50 or 60 hours of overtime a week for the whole month" of February. He has also used up about 250 tons of salt, mixed with sand. "That doesn't sound like much, but for 100 miles of road, that's considerable."
"Last winter was not as bad," said Village of Potsdam Public Works Superintendent Bruce Henderson. This winter is "comparable to 2008-09, just about an average winter," putting his winter plowing budget "right about where it's supposed to be."
Clearing snow has required "about 400 hours of overtime," through last month, he said.
There were a few 10- or 12-hour days, Henderson said, "but we cover ourselves with three shifts and that cuts down on overtime."
The public works crews in Potsdam work on three shifts from late November to early April, Henderson said, to make sure they're covered at all times. When they're not clearing snow from streets or parking lots or from around fire hydrants, they are keeping up with vehicle and other maintenance.
Village of Canton Superintendent of Public Works Brien Hallahan believes this winter was actually less taxing than normal, at least before this week's snow. He thinks other people might have the more recent storms uppermost in their minds.
"We got most of our winter in February," he says, with some memorable challenges. There were "three sessions of significant overtime" to get the work done, all well within budget.
The trucks, plows, loaders and graders in service in Canton and Potsdam have performed fairly well, with no serious unhappy surprises involving big expenditures of money and time.
Potsdam's Keleher said there have been a few "minor breakdowns – nothing big."
"Just the normal replacement of a hydraulic hose here and there, replacing cutting edges on the plows, so far – knock on wood," Potsdam Village's Henderson said.
Canton's Billings reports "no major equipment breakdowns." He credits his preventive maintenance program, where drivers are assigned trucks and they are responsible for minor maintenance like oil and plow blade changes.
"If a man is assigned a truck, he gets to know it," which will give the full-time maintenance chief the benefit of an informed operator when something major comes along.
"It's better than if they bounced between trucks. They have an interest," Billings said.
"Fuel prices have risen. That's our main concern right now," Potsdam's Henderson said.
For the Town of Canton, "fuel prices have actually been fairly stable," compared to the general market, Billings said. He was paying $3.17 a gallon for diesel at the beginning of February, and $3.35 a gallon at the beginning of March. He used 2,372 gallons in February for a total of $7,891.36.
While many departments contract with the state for fuel procurement, the Town of Canton has an independent contract with a Massena supplier. With either kind of contract, prices are more or less set in advance, but there are provisions for escalating prices in a volatile market such as the one we are in now.
If there are no more big snows and the temperatures rise, potholes are the next project.
"The state has been trying to do Main Street," said Hallahan in Canton, but he and others are concerned that the cold patch that is applied one day would just get plowed out the next.
Or it can just pop out, Potsdam's Henderson said, if the patch gets water under it and it freezes.
Henderson says some of the roads in Potsdam that have had the worst pothole problems in the past have been paved in the last couple of years, and the problems are greatly diminished.
Repair crews might try to tackle some of the bigger potholes before long, but most of that work will await the opening of local asphalt plants in April, when hot patch, a much sturdier preparation, can be obtained.
The season has been more challenging than 2009-10, but overall it was fairly typical of most winters, according to most area highway superintendents.
And while most of them don't think they have yet seen the worst of rising fuel prices, even with contracts meant to contain costs, they have been paying more than $3 a gallon, and it's going up.
Town of Potsdam Highway Superintendent John Keleher says his department's overtime requirements have amounted to about 200 more hours through February last year, but his sand usage through February is probably about the same as last year, around 5,800 cubic yards, and it's been "a normal winter.
"We worked straight early January through February, a couple of months of every day" moving snow and ice," Keleher said. When they weren't plowing the roads, his crews "moved snow from around mailboxes, driveways, intersections."
So far, runoff hasn't caused any major problems for Keleher. His department has used a steamer truck to clear frozen culverts to prevent overflow and damage to roads. With a steam genny mounted in the bed and an 80-foot hose, "they blow a hole right through them," Keleher said. They have cleared about 15 culverts this winter, and have helped out the village, which does not have a steamer.
Terry Billings, Town of Canton Highway Superintendent, says his department has been "well within budget" for the season, while requiring "about 50 or 60 hours of overtime a week for the whole month" of February. He has also used up about 250 tons of salt, mixed with sand. "That doesn't sound like much, but for 100 miles of road, that's considerable."
"Last winter was not as bad," said Village of Potsdam Public Works Superintendent Bruce Henderson. This winter is "comparable to 2008-09, just about an average winter," putting his winter plowing budget "right about where it's supposed to be."
Clearing snow has required "about 400 hours of overtime," through last month, he said.
There were a few 10- or 12-hour days, Henderson said, "but we cover ourselves with three shifts and that cuts down on overtime."
The public works crews in Potsdam work on three shifts from late November to early April, Henderson said, to make sure they're covered at all times. When they're not clearing snow from streets or parking lots or from around fire hydrants, they are keeping up with vehicle and other maintenance.
Village of Canton Superintendent of Public Works Brien Hallahan believes this winter was actually less taxing than normal, at least before this week's snow. He thinks other people might have the more recent storms uppermost in their minds.
"We got most of our winter in February," he says, with some memorable challenges. There were "three sessions of significant overtime" to get the work done, all well within budget.
The trucks, plows, loaders and graders in service in Canton and Potsdam have performed fairly well, with no serious unhappy surprises involving big expenditures of money and time.
Potsdam's Keleher said there have been a few "minor breakdowns – nothing big."
"Just the normal replacement of a hydraulic hose here and there, replacing cutting edges on the plows, so far – knock on wood," Potsdam Village's Henderson said.
Canton's Billings reports "no major equipment breakdowns." He credits his preventive maintenance program, where drivers are assigned trucks and they are responsible for minor maintenance like oil and plow blade changes.
"If a man is assigned a truck, he gets to know it," which will give the full-time maintenance chief the benefit of an informed operator when something major comes along.
"It's better than if they bounced between trucks. They have an interest," Billings said.
"Fuel prices have risen. That's our main concern right now," Potsdam's Henderson said.
For the Town of Canton, "fuel prices have actually been fairly stable," compared to the general market, Billings said. He was paying $3.17 a gallon for diesel at the beginning of February, and $3.35 a gallon at the beginning of March. He used 2,372 gallons in February for a total of $7,891.36.
While many departments contract with the state for fuel procurement, the Town of Canton has an independent contract with a Massena supplier. With either kind of contract, prices are more or less set in advance, but there are provisions for escalating prices in a volatile market such as the one we are in now.
If there are no more big snows and the temperatures rise, potholes are the next project.
"The state has been trying to do Main Street," said Hallahan in Canton, but he and others are concerned that the cold patch that is applied one day would just get plowed out the next.
Or it can just pop out, Potsdam's Henderson said, if the patch gets water under it and it freezes.
Henderson says some of the roads in Potsdam that have had the worst pothole problems in the past have been paved in the last couple of years, and the problems are greatly diminished.
Repair crews might try to tackle some of the bigger potholes before long, but most of that work will await the opening of local asphalt plants in April, when hot patch, a much sturdier preparation, can be obtained.
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