barrelroll
Well-Known Member
I wish I had a good reason to move to Oklahoma. I'm really tempted to go from working on everything without tracks and tires at a mine to heavy equipment. That would be a great transition job.
-
Thank you for visiting HeavyEquipmentForums.com! Our objective is to provide industry professionals a place to gather to exchange questions, answers and ideas. We welcome you to register using the "Register" icon at the top of the page. We'd appreciate any help you can offer in spreading the word of our new site. The more members that join, the bigger resource for all to enjoy. Thank you!
This will be an interesting thread moving forward......
- Thread starter Vetech63
- Start date
I wish I had a good reason to move to Oklahoma. I'm really tempted to go from working on everything without tracks and tires at a mine to heavy equipment. That would be a great transition job.
I have learned bean counters work one of 2 ways we cant spend any at all so nothing is ever running or fixed so there is no uptime and that reinforces the notion we cant spend any money so nothing gets fixed
The other is they are happy to spend a consistent amount of money month in and month out and as long as that's consistent then there thinking is they build that number in the overhead
The kicker is VT is efficient at what he does so they were paying 3 people and the dealer to do a lot of what he does what that boils down to is VT Is cheaper than where they were a year ago so they think there ahead and they get more uptime most likely than they did so no one cares about PM work cause they probably dont have separate budgets for that
The other is they are happy to spend a consistent amount of money month in and month out and as long as that's consistent then there thinking is they build that number in the overhead
The kicker is VT is efficient at what he does so they were paying 3 people and the dealer to do a lot of what he does what that boils down to is VT Is cheaper than where they were a year ago so they think there ahead and they get more uptime most likely than they did so no one cares about PM work cause they probably dont have separate budgets for that
The other thing bean counters are good at is picking out the unit that has had too much trouble lately and predict it will get worse. Never mind those are long term investments all done in the last year, but it goes to auction because of the bean counters, seen it happen.
crane operator
Senior Member
I worked a job at a powerhouse for a couple years. Our group of equipment operators asked the subcontractor we were working for- "why doesn't any of your equipment have fire extinguishers?"
"There's no factory place to mount extinguishers- so the equipment doesn't need them" was the contractors reply.
Two days after I put out a fire in the main crane- (with a different contractors fire extinguisher that I stole from their crane)- we suddenly had extinguishers for every piece of equipment and were told "find some place to mount them".
DMiller
Senior Member
Got to doing some numbers, at $30K a month Vetech is actually saving these people money. Common Tech Pay at ?$30-35/hr? Any Benefits would near to double that figure with UI input for the new HNC(s) or TNG(s) if hire Two to replace VT, somewhere around $120/hour rough expense, about $20k not including screwups, repeat repairs, and are paying for screw off time inside that as VT does not screw off. Does not include OT either that a Noob would run over considerably 'To Get it Done' while learning on the job. That and they have no obligation to keep VT if so choose to do something altogether different.
. Does not include OT either that a Noob would run over considerably 'To Get it Done' while learning on the job. That and they have no obligation to keep VT if so choose to do something altogether different.
You just HAD to do the numbers dint ya.Got to doing some numbers, at $30K a month Vetech is actually saving these people money. Common Tech Pay at ?$30-35/hr? Any Benefits would near to double that figure with UI input for the new HNC(s) or TNG(s) if hire Two to replace VT, somewhere around $120/hour rough expense, about $20k not including screwups, repeat repairs, and are paying for screw off time inside that as VT does not screw off
Now I think I'm under-selling myself!
DMiller
Senior Member
Well you are still making &10k a month two Noobs wouldn’t and making it right, making machines right. Nothing undersold there.
I worked a job at a powerhouse for a couple years. Our group of equipment operators asked the subcontractor we were working for- "why doesn't any of your equipment have fire extinguishers?"
"There's no factory place to mount extinguishers- so the equipment doesn't need them" was the contractors reply.
Two days after I put out a fire in the main crane- (with a different contractors fire extinguisher that I stole from their crane)- we suddenly had extinguishers for every piece of equipment and were told "find some place to mount them".
I have never understood why equipment not come with a good plate mounted conveniently with many different holes drilled to accommodate easily mounting fire extinguisher brackets. Instead we are always trying to find a place either inside the cab and mount it through plastic or on the outside somewhere and it’s never a good place.
However, quite pleasantly, I did discover that Grainger carries excellent heavy duty brackets that have a retainer pin for the latch so it doesn’t pop open easily on its on. Normally when sales or a customer supplies an extinguisher and bracket it’s some cheap POS bracket that ain’t worth a damn in equipment use and it’s vulnerable, rattles and does not retain the extinguisher, which is why you always find the extinguisher jammed under a bunch of trash and crap in the cab behind the seat.
This time I got told to order the extinguisher and bracket that I picked out and I found the better ones. I think from now own I’m telling the boss to let me order the brackets and extinguishers.
DMiller
Senior Member
The worker is likely better inclined as to what works and what won't or what is just superficially sufficient as delivered by a bean counter. Key Quote, "Pay me Now or Pay me Later" even "Ongoing" where 'It' can be replaced for 'Me' in that quote.
Edit,
Brought to mind my temporary employ at Western Cartridge in 75, had 100# rolling fire extinguishers with a four foot cone ended hose, NOT CO2 but Dry Chem. CO2 had been replaced as was too expensive to keep recharged and functional, Dry Chem would pack up but the maintenance staff would tilt them upside down to break up the bridging. Foreskin was explaining use of these "Marvels of Science" where us lowest on the totem pole would be the Fire Sacrifices to take them TO the fires. His commentary went on to Use, where we were explained Roll these quickly TO the fire, Pull the pin, make sure the handle goes into Lock, shove the extinguisher into the flames and RUN LIKE HELL AWAY as we were not going to control it!! Leave that to the Fire Department.
Edit,
Brought to mind my temporary employ at Western Cartridge in 75, had 100# rolling fire extinguishers with a four foot cone ended hose, NOT CO2 but Dry Chem. CO2 had been replaced as was too expensive to keep recharged and functional, Dry Chem would pack up but the maintenance staff would tilt them upside down to break up the bridging. Foreskin was explaining use of these "Marvels of Science" where us lowest on the totem pole would be the Fire Sacrifices to take them TO the fires. His commentary went on to Use, where we were explained Roll these quickly TO the fire, Pull the pin, make sure the handle goes into Lock, shove the extinguisher into the flames and RUN LIKE HELL AWAY as we were not going to control it!! Leave that to the Fire Department.
Last edited:
terex herder
Senior Member
Get a Coast Guard approved bracket for any fire extinguisher on mobile equipment. It will properly hold the extinguisher in rough conditions.
Truck Shop
Senior Member
This situation is about come backs-It doesn't matter what VT is getting paid. The company is only
paying for a repair once not twice plus it's done quickly. That's not too hard to figure out.
paying for a repair once not twice plus it's done quickly. That's not too hard to figure out.
that’s what I ended up ordering. I saw the picture and said “that’s what I’ve been wanting to use for years”.
https://www.grainger.com/product/5T...8RmNNY13Yszaol2nUFxoCwbQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
barrelroll
Well-Known Member
Since we are on a random fire extinguisher tangent. A while back we got popped by MSHA for an over charged extinguisher. The inspector mentioned when he inspects a dirty piece of equipment he looks to see if the gauge has had the previous day's goo cleaned off the gauge of the extinguisher. It's his way of checking if you were actually doing your pre op. Cleaning off the gauge and tail lights are part of my daily routine to keep MSHA away these days.
Nige
Senior Member
They also do a similar bracket for 20-pound extinguishers. That’s exactly what we used on all our mobile equipment in addition to the AFEX fire suppression system.
Coaldust
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 9, 2011
- Messages
- 3,347
- Location
- North of the 60
- Occupation
- Cargo Tanks, ULSD, RUG, Methanol, LPG
Kidde is good. Amerex is on par with their vehicular brackets.
DMiller
Senior Member
Can be surprising how well even a small 10# can defeat as to fire, just are not much good at cooling a hotspot. We trained on using a 20# with the nozzle stuck into the water cone off a inch and half hand line nozzle to add dry agent into a material fire. Most days glad no longer fire brigade but the lessons still hang in there.
Was getting pretty good at running the nuke pumper for 90-110gpm flow at 140psig to guys running hand line turbo nozzles. Did not want to split a hose or flip a small guy boosting pressure and flow too fast when used 2 1/2” line nozzle, ran those at 150-170gpm and closer to 210psig. Had a couple of hammer handed boys that managed both.
Had one fella managed to start all three fire service installed pumps running off a system hydrant. Opened up the flow like winging a newly installed valve on a new pipe!! No finesse whatsoever!
Was getting pretty good at running the nuke pumper for 90-110gpm flow at 140psig to guys running hand line turbo nozzles. Did not want to split a hose or flip a small guy boosting pressure and flow too fast when used 2 1/2” line nozzle, ran those at 150-170gpm and closer to 210psig. Had a couple of hammer handed boys that managed both.
Had one fella managed to start all three fire service installed pumps running off a system hydrant. Opened up the flow like winging a newly installed valve on a new pipe!! No finesse whatsoever!
Last edited:
Birken Vogt
Charter Member
When opening and closing hydrants, and especially 1/4 turn ball valves on a fire truck that can be moved very quickly. Just because they can doesn't mean you should. Always very slow and gentle, a broken hose or pipe does not help firefighting in any way.
DMiller
Senior Member
1977 Mack Truck Chouteau Ave ST Louis, City of St Louis decided to be rid of their AGED Gasoline fleet of Fire Apparatus, Newest was a 1962. Had American and Ward LaFrance, Seagraves(Corn Queen running gear) Mack, and a few odd assorted pieces of rolling stock scattered to 12 stations so had Mack along with the other apparatus companies submit bids for machines and service to which only Mack was local. Hooked up the pumper at the old city water works for area of testing and instruction for the STL FD, I was along as shop was slow and the Super was trying to keep us busy. The FD Lead Engineer Trainer and two others along with a Mack design engineer began running the unit where got it to a pretty hard suction against STL City low water pressure(48#) then the fun commenced. Were running two 1 1/2" Handlines and a 2 1/2" Attack line while feeding a second truck for display at full discharge of 1000gpm, the old six inch main under essentially a vacuum could not take it and collapsed, the hydrant started bouncing then broke the connection union jumped three feet out of grade and the ensuing deluge of city water began!!!
Was a mud mess, city had the shop reset all the new machines so that could not reach a vacuum while working off city mains then the City started upgrading all the feeder mains, still are some forty+ years later. ALL City apparatus use is still proceduralized NOT to draw down harder than 10psig suction. Every City and township around STL has done similarly going from the old gas powered some 500 some 750gpm units to 1000+gpm units behind a diesel that will not droop as easily as a gasser.
Was a mud mess, city had the shop reset all the new machines so that could not reach a vacuum while working off city mains then the City started upgrading all the feeder mains, still are some forty+ years later. ALL City apparatus use is still proceduralized NOT to draw down harder than 10psig suction. Every City and township around STL has done similarly going from the old gas powered some 500 some 750gpm units to 1000+gpm units behind a diesel that will not droop as easily as a gasser.