Category: Article

We’re always glad to talk to our customers, though we know that replacing parts and repairing equipment aren’t usually your ideas of fun. For that reason, this article suggests ways to realize the maximum possible value from your equipment and tools. Guess what? When a tool or piece of equipment breaks, the culprits are often either Mother Nature or ourselves.

Mother Nature’s Messes

The most common environmental factors that affect a tool or piece of equipment are:

• Extreme temperature
• Direct sunlight
• Dirt, dust, and mud
• Water

Obviously, it’s important to not leave your tools near water and mud, but also consider the long-term damage of exposing a tool to direct sunlight, freezing temperatures, and dust-laden environments. Thankfully, high-quality tools are designed to withstand the occasional splash of water and other elements. It’s the consistent negligence of a tool or equipment that can cause damage.

High-Quality Material Means Durability

Speaking of high-quality tools, when it’s time to purchase one, spend as much as you can afford. Although it’s natural to want to save money, don’t do so at the expense of quality. In general, the tools and equipment that are more expensive are that way because they are made with:

• Long-lasting materials
• Better design
• Sturdier housing

For example, a tool with tougher housing can better resist the invasion of dust or moisture that will damage the moving parts inside. A better-designed tool is less likely to have its internal components damaged if it’s dropped.

What You Don’t Know Can Hurt Your Tools

Construction equipment and tools can also suffer damage at the hands of untrained or negligent operators. For example:

• Using a tool at maximum power for an extended period of time can wear it out prematurely
• Using tools or equipment in ways they weren’t designed to handle
• Using incompatible accessories

It’s important to read the operation manual when you purchase a piece of equipment or a tool. It contains crucial information about:

• Calibration
• Maintenance
• Safety warnings
• Troubleshooting

If you’re unsure of anything, request a demo with one of our experts.

Tips to Extend Tool Life

Hanging on to your tools for a long time can seem like a losing battle against Father Time and Mother Nature. However, your ammunition is to be proactive in cleaning, maintenance, and storage.

Regular Maintenance

Get in the habit of starting the workday with a daily checklist of your machinery. This can help you spot worn-out parts. You’ll have time to get the part replaced, saving you from unexpected breakdowns.

Other maintenance routines include:

• Servicing and calibrating tools and equipment on schedule
• Maintaining fluid and oil levels
• Greasing parts
• Cleaning away dust, dirt, and mud
• Replacing fuel filters, chains, and belts

Pay Attention

Working at a fast pace can be the enemy of your tools and equipment because you might not notice what’s right in front of you:

• Noise—If you hear any strange noises, like grinding, popping, or whining, stop using the machine and get it checked out immediately. Make sure employees know to report unusual noise or behavior of equipment.
• Wear and Tear—Replace worn-out drill bits and saw blades. Using them causes the tool to work harder, wearing it out sooner.
• Heat—When you’re working with a tool, feel the battery pack frequently. If it’s hot, stop using the tool and let it cool down. This also applies to the gear box of any machine you’re operating.

Before leaving the worksite for the day, make sure all tools are stored away or at least covered up to protect them from dust and dirt. If possible, keep tools and equipment in a temperature-controlled area.

Pro Tool & Supply’s Parts and Repair Shop

Over time, even well-made tools and equipment need repairs. Whether your equipment was purchased with Pro Tool & Supply or not, our equipment parts and repairs departments are available to you. It could only be necessary to replace a broken or worn-out part, however Pro technicians can check the condition of the surrounding parts, as they could have caused the problem in the first place. Pro experts regularly receive the latest information from manufacturers, so they can keep you informed of warranty and repair issues.

We are proud to boast an impressive lineup of solutions to keep you on schedule, including:

• Factory-trained repair shop technicians
• Extensive inventory of OEM parts
• Additional services, such as replacement rental equipment and 24/7 emergency service
• Fast shipping for special parts orders from manufacturers
• On-site servicing for large pieces of equipment

Contact Us for Parts and Repairs

We’d love to get to know you at Pro Tool & Supply. We stock construction equipment and tool parts from Bosch, DeWalt, Husqvarna, and hundreds more. Our OEM parts specialists are readily available by phone or email at parts@theprogroupinc.com to discuss your specific equipment.

If you have equipment in need of repair, our repairs department expert mechanics can help. We provide on-site or in-house repair services for brands like Chicago Pneumatic, Genie, and Magnum – just to name a few of the dozens of brands we can work on. Contact us or call 1-888-776-0007 to speak with an expert.

If you work in the construction industry, you already know that residential air compressor and air tools aren’t going to cut it. The demands of your job require something that’s durable and dependable.

This article covers the basics of a specific type of air compressor – the portable industrial air compressor. This type of compressor is permanently attached to a trailer that can be towed by a pickup truck and powers multiple industrial air tools.

Using a Portable Industrial Air Compressor

On a construction jobsite with limited access to an electrical power source, it’s quite common to find a portable industrial air compressor that runs on diesel fuel. This section provides the general steps for running a portable diesel air compressor; for specifics, check with a Pro Group expert or request a demo.

Safety Gear

• Besides wearing goggles and closed-toe shoes, you should also wear ear muffs for protection from the noise of the diesel motor and air tool.
• Place wheel chocks behind the portable air compressor’s wheels to prevent it from rolling during operation.

Maintenance Check

1. Check the level of all fluids:
   • Compressor oil
   • Coolant
   • Engine oil
   • Fuel level
2. Check the inside of the compressor for debris, loose connections, and the position of safety covers and guards.

Running the Air Compressor

1. Turn the battery switch on.
2. Open the release valve.
3. Start the diesel motor.
4. Close the release valve.
5. Turn on the compressor and wait for the air tank to fill up. When the air pressure gauge indicator stops moving, the air in the tank is fully pressurized.
6. Attach the tool hose to the regulator valve.
7. Connect the air tool to the hose.
8. Adjust the air compressor regulator to match the tool’s pressure.

Tips:

• While running the air compressor, monitor the pressure gauges. The air pressure must remain below the maximum pressure allowed for the air tool.
• If you switch tools, you might need to adjust the pressure again.
• When you are finished, release the drain valve.

Standard Industrial Air Tools

The portable industrial air compressor can provide power to the following types of industrial air tools:

• Chipping Hammers—You can use the multipurpose chipping hammer for light chipping or heavy cutting.
• Paving Breakers—Performing the same vertical demolition as a jackhammer, a paving breaker can be found in a variety of sizes that make it suitable for small jobs all the way up to heavy duty concrete demolition.
• Rivet Busters—Originally used for cutting and forming metal rivets, the rivet buster is relatively light, but has the same power as a heavier jackhammer. You can use it for vertical, horizontal, and overhead work.
• Rock Drills—You can use a rock drill to drill vertically in concrete or underground in bench mining. It’s also used for drilling blast holes and quarry work.
• Rotary Drills—Another versatile tool, the rotary drill can be used vertically or horizontally to drill holes in brick, rock, and other masonry. You can also use it to chip, scarify, and clean welds.

The Many Advantages of Industrial Air Tools

Compared to an electrical tool, industrial air tools last longer. They don’t generate heat while running, which is more comfortable for the operator. The lighter weight of the air tool also lessens operator fatigue and risk of long-term injury.

There’s a safety advantage as well. If an air hose springs a leak, no contaminants are released, as happens with hydraulic systems. Also, air tools do not pose a risk of fire or electrical shocks.
 

Questions About Air Compressors or Air Tools?

Contact Pro Tool & Supply if you have a question about using industrial air tools or portable industrial air compressors. We have air tools and air compressors for purchase and for rent, and our experts can answer your questions and help you decide on the right tool for your specific application.

Versatile and rugged, loaders are construction site workhorses. Their adaptability and a long line of compatible attachments make a skid steer or compact track loader indispensable for many jobs.

While both wheel-driven skid loaders and their track-driven counterparts can be used in a variety of applications and work environments throughout the year, each has distinct advantages under certain conditions.

Skid Steer Advantages

If you’re buying rather than renting, a skid steer produces its first benefit even before it’s delivered, checking in with a sticker price that is often 30 percent or so lower than a track loader of similar capacity. Tires are cheaper to replace than tracks, so ongoing operating costs can be less of a hit as well, especially when working on hard surfaces. Asphalt and concrete are kinder to tires than they are to tracks, so if most of a company’s jobs involve working on hard surfaces, a skid steer may be the better option.

Consider choosing a skid steer rental or purchase under these conditions:

• Confined Work Spaces – Wheels allow skid steers to make tight turns. They can “pirouette” or pivot on one wheel, dragging – that is skidding, hence the name – the real wheels through a 0-degree turn radius. When walls, drop-offs, or other space confinements prevail, this turn-on-a-dime capability can make all the difference.
• Speed – In addition to making faster and shorter turns, skid steers also hit top working speeds of 10 to 14 miles per hour. This is about 40 percent faster than comparable track loaders. A few additional miles per hour may not sound like much, but it adds up, and the faster the job gets done, the more quickly you can move onto the next project.
• Portability – Because they don’t require the understructure on which track loaders rely, skid steers are lighter. They can be easily loaded and transported from site to site.

Track Loader Advantages

A skid steer likely is the best choice when surface and weather conditions are ideal, but when the going gets tough, a track loader could be the better option. They are best when tackling muddy, rocky, and slippery jobsites. Their tracks creating several benefits when working surfaces are challenging:

• Weight Distribution – Though their undercarriage components make track loaders heavier than comparable skid steers, the entire bottom of each track comes into contact with the ground. This greater surface contact spreads out the weight, so the machines do not become bogged down in mud or sink in snow. Tracks also tread more lightly than tires, causing less damage to landscaping and less time required for site maintenance.
• Accessibility and Maneuverability – Better traction on mud, sand, and ice allows track loaders to operate where their wheeled counterparts cannot. They may be able to recommence work immediately after a downpour, when drier conditions would be needed in order to bring in wheeled loaders. Greater productivity and shorter completion times equal greater profits.
• Track Life – While it is true that tires are cheaper than tracks, tracks offer significantly more operating hours than tires. They cost a bit more to replace, but you don’t have to replace them nearly as often if working on softer surfaces.

Snow Removal

With winter in full swing, loaders can be adapted for use in plowing or blowing snow. As is often the case, the jury is still out on whether tracks or skids are best suited for the job. Greater tractive power may allow a track loader to push and clear larger loads on level surfaces.

However, a wheeled skid steer’s heavier ground bearing will prevent slipping when plowing on inclines. The higher per-square-inch weight on the tires also bears on the blade, creating superior scraping power for one-pass snow removal.

Get the Right Equipment for Your Next Job

The Pro Group’s expert sales team can help you choose from our extensive line of loaders for sale or rent. Give us a call or request a quote for advice on the right loader for your application.