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Field service guys.

Nige

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Jun 22, 2011
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28,984
Location
G..G..G..Granville.........!! Fetch your cloth.
On this same topic. When ever I replaced a component with these Deutsch connectors I would always cut the old connectors off with a bit of wire attached. Handy to repair a harness if you have some pins or sockets in stock and also handy to hook up things to test them. Can be tricky making contact down in a socket without shorting something out!
Along with a digital multimeter a Fluke TL81A Lead kit allows you the options to either slide a contact down the side of a cable into the back of a connector or pierce the insulation.
 

tctractors

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2007
Messages
2,383
Location
Worc U.K.
I keep a print off showing torque targets on CAT and Komatsu bolt also all the info on Relay's, what No does what its real handy to test them, then there is the heat temp gun and the Tippex Pen for marking things like hoses or bolts torque set so you know what you have done, I also write inside door panels service detail including pilot and main pressures as a log.
tctractors
 

kshansen

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Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
11,129
Location
Central New York, USA
Occupation
Retired Mechanic in Stone Quarry
I also would write notes like tc says, little picture of what wire goes where on a relay or starter, right on the machine next to where I was working with felt tip pen. Sometimes they are still there years latter when you have to make the repair again. Really comes in handy when someone fries the wiring and all the colors are gone off them.
 

repowerguy

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Joined
Mar 18, 2015
Messages
810
Location
United States southern Ohio
Occupation
mixer truck mechanic
A three ring binder with cheat sheets for the work you do,I had them for the ecm pins on cat and cummins when I worked on ready mix trucks and torque specs on heads and such. ECM,s do go bad often on r-mix trucks, concrete is base and cleaner is acid after a while it takes it's toll on them and the wire harness.:(
 

kshansen

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Mar 11, 2012
Messages
11,129
Location
Central New York, USA
Occupation
Retired Mechanic in Stone Quarry
These days it's easy to keep loads of photos with a smart phone ..........

Very true, that and even inexpensive digital cameras! Handy when you need to show boss or customer the problem! Also handy for seeing into places too small for your head. Stick camera up in there and take a few pictures, sometimes can see things better than playing with flash light and mirror.
 

repowerguy

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Mar 18, 2015
Messages
810
Location
United States southern Ohio
Occupation
mixer truck mechanic
I also might recommend satellite radio or a music app for your phone to keep the insanity at bay when you are out by yourself, it can keep a long day from being so intolerable.
 

blowerman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2009
Messages
100
Location
wisconsin
image.jpg
Not the best pic, but it's a rexroth hydro pack on an express bark blower truck that all solenoids and plugs needed changing. Yep, Deutsch connectors. They are becoming more common. I picked up a few different sized crimpers. The chasing for stuff when wrenching is what drives me nuts.
 

kshansen

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
11,129
Location
Central New York, USA
Occupation
Retired Mechanic in Stone Quarry
Blowerman, That looks like a good place for these:

http://www.cabletiesandmore.com/american/catalog/color-cable-ties-pack-color-pla-301.php?gclid=CITg4Ivk2scCFUWRHwoddnoBZA

I liked using these zipties to color code things. one on each side of connection. With that many connections might have to double up with two different colors.

Nice thing about the zip ties they will work even on nasty dirty machines and will stay there even if pressure washed. And often they are still there many years later!

NOTE: the link was just a quick one to show them. I got mine through the NAPA dealer but many places sell them.
 

old-iron-habit

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Nov 22, 2012
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4,233
Location
Moose Lake, MN
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Retired Cons't. Supt./Hospitals
Of all the great advice offered here one thing was not brought up. Make sure when on a job your time includes cleaning up your tools and gear and stowing them back in their proper place. If you throwing them in and run to get home or to the next project, before long you will have a mess and spend more time searching than working.
 

Nige

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Joined
Jun 22, 2011
Messages
28,984
Location
G..G..G..Granville.........!! Fetch your cloth.
Of all the great advice offered here one thing was not brought up. Make sure when on a job your time includes cleaning up your tools and gear and stowing them back in their proper place. If you throwing them in and run to get home or to the next project, before long you will have a mess and spend more time searching than working.
Along with a sign over the toolbox(es) - "The guy who lends tools is on vacation".
 

pburress

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2010
Messages
88
Location
Indinapolis, IN
Occupation
field service technician
Of all the great advice offered here one thing was not brought up. Make sure when on a job your time includes cleaning up your tools and gear and stowing them back in their proper place. If you throwing them in and run to get home or to the next project, before long you will have a mess and spend more time searching than working.

X's 2
 

thepumpguysc

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Mar 18, 2010
Messages
7,445
Location
Sunny South Carolina
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Master Inj.Pump rebuilder
YUP.. and make sure to put on your paperwork.. leave shop/time and mileage.. arrive at jobsite, time /mileage... leave JS, time.. arrive at shop, time and mileage..
I ALWAYS put on my paper work when I got back to the shop.. put tools away and paper work.. sometime it takes 30 minutes, sometime it takes 1 hr... who's eating THAT TIME? The co. or the customer? I always said, its not my problem, they can figure it out.. but atleast they had the info infront of them..!!
TO THIS DAY I STILL DONT KNOW.. and I've been doin it for 30+ years.. Lol
ONE TIME there was a BAD accident about 300 yards from a cust. driveway.. no way around traffic, marsh on both sides.. sat in the truck for 2 hrs listening to the radio.. got a call from the boss, saying the customer can see the truck.. and wasnt happy.. the response my boss gave the customer was> WE have NO CONTROL over traffic.. Basically , it was a courtisy call from the boss telling me I was about to walk into a sh**t storm..
SO if you keep track over your time away from the shop. everyone will be happy.
 

chris_james

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Joined
Aug 26, 2015
Messages
84
Location
Ga
YUP.. and make sure to put on your paperwork.. leave shop/time and mileage.. arrive at jobsite, time /mileage... leave JS, time.. arrive at shop, time and mileage..
I ALWAYS put on my paper work when I got back to the shop.. put tools away and paper work.. sometime it takes 30 minutes, sometime it takes 1 hr... who's eating THAT TIME? The co. or the customer? I always said, its not my problem, they can figure it out.. but atleast they had the info infront of them..!!
TO THIS DAY I STILL DONT KNOW.. and I've been doin it for 30+ years.. Lol
ONE TIME there was a BAD accident about 300 yards from a cust. driveway.. no way around traffic, marsh on both sides.. sat in the truck for 2 hrs listening to the radio.. got a call from the boss, saying the customer can see the truck.. and wasnt happy.. the response my boss gave the customer was> WE have NO CONTROL over traffic.. Basically , it was a courtisy call from the boss telling me I was about to walk into a sh**t storm..
SO if you keep track over your time away from the shop. everyone will be happy.

Glad I don't have to deal with that
 

RobVG

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Joined
Jun 20, 2009
Messages
1,028
Location
Seattle WA
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17 excavators and a stewpot of other stuff
Hmm, I thought someone dredged up and old thread.

Hi lilbluewarchief. Just a thing or two, probably already said:

-Always keep an extra pair of coveralls and a roll of paper towels behind your seat.

-Never wear safety glasses when grinding- wear gogles.

-Make and print out a list of things you need when you go out to service a machine. On my list are keys, and my phone. And coveralls...
 

pburress

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2010
Messages
88
Location
Indinapolis, IN
Occupation
field service technician
YUP.. and make sure to put on your paperwork.. leave shop/time and mileage.. arrive at jobsite, time /mileage... leave JS, time.. arrive at shop, time and mileage..
I ALWAYS put on my paper work when I got back to the shop.. put tools away and paper work.. sometime it takes 30 minutes, sometime it takes 1 hr... who's eating THAT TIME? The co. or the customer? I always said, its not my problem, they can figure it out.. but atleast they had the info infront of them..!!
TO THIS DAY I STILL DONT KNOW.. and I've been doin it for 30+ years.. Lol
ONE TIME there was a BAD accident about 300 yards from a cust. driveway.. no way around traffic, marsh on both sides.. sat in the truck for 2 hrs listening to the radio.. got a call from the boss, saying the customer can see the truck.. and wasnt happy.. the response my boss gave the customer was> WE have NO CONTROL over traffic.. Basically , it was a courtisy call from the boss telling me I was about to walk into a sh**t storm..
SO if you keep track over your time away from the shop. everyone will be happy.

I track my time too , anything related to a job goes under "m" for mait. Putting tools away, going to shop, drive time, etc is put under "n" for non productive, getting parts, inventory, etc goes under "ir" inventory replenishment, training goes under "t" for training. It helps me track my time.
 

thepumpguysc

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2010
Messages
7,445
Location
Sunny South Carolina
Occupation
Master Inj.Pump rebuilder
Personally I'm a "shop guy".. I RARELY leave the property.. I HATE going out on jobs.!! I dont have an assigned service truck, so everything in my tool box gets packed into tool bags.. cuz you NEVER know what your going to need.. IDK if its already been said, but a good handtruck comes in handy.. saves on the ole' back too.. not to mention REPEATED TRIPS BACK to the truck..
 

RBMcCloskey

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Joined
May 4, 2011
Messages
399
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Heavy Construction Contractor
I would like to add to the list:
Personal Safety
1) Keep a two day supply of your prescription medications in your truck AND a note list of any medical conditions that might leave you unable to respond to the EMS, ie: Diabetes, Heart Conditions, COPD, Hypoglycemia...you get the idea
2) A liquid and or jell-cap ANTIHISTAMENE, such as Benadryl, to counteract allergic reactions to foods, bites and stings from bugs, spiders and bees. It can slow down or stop anaphylactic shocks.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR
3) Know the signs of heat stroke and hypothermia, have a plan for each one.
4) A personal data sheet: If you are unconscious and EMS or your fellow employees need to know; Your Name and address & phone numbers, medical conditions if any, medications you are taking, your doctors names & phone numbers, who to contact & phone number for permission to treat you if, needed ANYTHING that might effect your treatment if injured or unconscious.I have been in the heavy/highway industry for 45 years and have seen the results of the preparing AND not preparing for the above issues and those I posted earlier.
Bob
 
Last edited:

gtermini

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Joined
May 29, 2015
Messages
198
Location
Amity, OR
-Always keep an extra pair of coveralls and a roll of paper towels behind your seat.

Don't forget a roll of schit tickets sealed in a ziplok bag so they don't get wet. You never know when you're gonna NEED them in an instant.

Greyson
 
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