Posts Tagged ‘washers’

Power washers are efficient cleaners. There are several types and other helpful information about power washers which potential buyers should know before buying. Power washers or pressure washers are machines used for cleaning all kinds of surfaces. There are types used for domestic, and some for industrial cleaning purposes. These devices are powered by gasoline or diesel, electricity or hydraulics. Cleaning is accomplished by spraying either hot or cold water at the objects or surfaces to be cleaned. The PSI which stands for pound per square inch and GPM which stands for gallons per minute are the standard measurements of efficiency of a power washer unit. The higher the PSI and GPM means a higher pressure and density of water coming out of the nozzle of the power washer. Both PSIs and GPMs can be adjusted to suit specific cleaning needs. Uses Power washers are used in a variety of places. In homes it can be used to wash off peelings from ancient paint on the walls, getting rid of accumulated dirt on garage floors as well as for cleaning cars, outdoor machines like tractors and many others. They are also valuable for industrial concerns like car washes, machine parts and automobile manufacturers. This is along with retailers who like their products delivered clean. Another valuable use of a power washer is in the cleaning of its surfaces so additional work can be done on them. Power washers are versatile and can wash off all of kinds of dirt, greases, grime, stains, rust and even contaminants. It can also sanitize surfaces with the use of industrial detergents and non-corrosive chemicals. Types There are several types of powers washers. Aqueous parts washers are used primarily to clean and sanitize equipments, instruments and their components. This washer has features like conveyor belts which transport parts through cleaning tunnels where they are sprayed by hot water. The speed of the belts is adjustable and will depend on the kind of cleaning required. Aqueous parts washers are very valuable to parts manufacturers. Like aqueous parts washers, automotive parts washers use high pressure water sprayed to clean automobile components and equipments. Aside from water, this type of washer also employs industrial detergents in order to scrub, remove paint, de-grease and de-carbonize automotive parts. Ultrasonic washers are another type. It is entirely different from aqueous and automotive parts washer since it does not use spraying to clean its equipments and parts. Instead, it makes bubbles in a mixture of water, vapor or solvent where parts are immersed. The movements of millions of bubbles make a scrubbing effect which cleans even the hidden parts. These types but are more effective. It needs to work with other industrial cleaners and applications. Maintenance The efficiency of a power washer depends on its regular maintenance. The nozzle, after some time, is bound to get clogged with dirt which tends to build up excessive pressure, resulting to irregular spray patterns. The nozzle should be cleaned regularly. Undetected defects in some parts can also affect other parts. It is best to have the unit regularly checked by a technician so defective parts can be replaced. This is even before the functioning of others becomes affected. Naturally, maintenance will be an simpler task when owners know enough about how power washer work. This way they can do some minor repairs on it. Getting spare parts should not be a problem. This is since parts are usually available in hardware stores. Buying The type of unit to buy depends on the needs of the buyer. Most industrial buyers prefer more powerful units that have more features and accessories. Domestic buyers will most likely be content with a basic unit. Whatever the preference, it is advisable to canvass other types to get the most favorable prices and terms as well as warranties, discounts, servicing and the like.

Several common issues often arise when operating an industrial production parts washer. Difficulties starting the machine, unsatisfactory cleaning and parts not drying sufficiently are the main resulting deficiencies that usually can be attributed to a contributing factor. These issues can usually be remedied if the manufacturer is able to learn the root cause of the issue.
If the machine is having distress starting or is otherwise incapable of running, it does not necessarily indicate a major problem. Rather, it may simply be an issue with the electrical controls. The first step necessary to get the machine running is to check all the emergency stop buttons on the machine and make sure they have not been pushed in to activate them accidentally. The operator must ensure that they are in the “out-or-run position.
If this proves not to be the issue, check the voltage and amperage on the control panel. Make sure that the machine is receiving an adequate amount of energy and that the control panel lights come on when the master knife switch is in the “On” position. From there, be sure to press the green “Master Start” button that is on the control panel, usually at the top left side of the panel, and then check the PLC screen or lighted push buttons to confirm that the machine is in “Auto” mode, rather than “Manual” mode. Finally, look at the red, amber, and green warning light tree located on the top of the control panel. If the red or amber lights are on, a fault or component distress may be the cause of the stoppage. See your control panel PLC screen or lighted push buttons for red or fault indications for the individual systems of the machine.
If the machine stoppage is due to a bought component problem such as a blower motor, pump motor, drive motor or heating element, there are a few steps that can be taken. First, make sure the machine is off. Then check the failing component to see if it is physically jammed or otherwise stuck. If it appears to be acceptable, check the electrical box of the component and see if the conduit or wires leading to the box are hurt or have been pulled out. If the component has an inlet filter as is the case with a blower, then remove that filter and check to see if it is being clogged by excessive debris. Finally, check the service life of the component and compare that to how long the component has been in use. It may simply be nearing the end of the lifespan.
Occasionally the washer will stop producing clean parts. Whenever this happens, it is time to check the condition of the bath. If the bath is saturated with soil, then change the solution making up the bath, along with the filters cleaning the solution. After the solution is removed, then use a heated, high pressure power sprayer to clean the tank. This preventative maintenance should be performed regularly in order to prevent cleaning failures. If the bath is of acceptable quality, go on to other possible causes. Make sure that the bath soap concentration is right and that the proper cleaning chemistry has been mixed into the bath.
Next, inspect the spray headers, making sure that the cleaning solution is coming out of the nozzles in the right spray pattern. If the nozzles are plugged or just dirty, clean or change the affected nozzles. Also look to ensure that the spray headers are in the proper position, and they have not been broken or bent by an improperly loaded part.
Finally, check the pumps to be sure that they are pumping at the proper pressures. The right pressure is indicated by the flow gauges on the filtration system, or in the control panel depending on the configuration of the machine.
The drying stage of the washing process is another area where problems occur. To troubleshoot your dryer, first turn off the machine. If the machine includes a blow off system, then check the air blower and make certain that they are operating at the proper pressure. The digital gauges for positive back pressure indicate the right pressure for this stage. Then go on to check the hoses which lead from the blower(s) to the air knives or air nozzles. Make sure that they are not broken, split, or obstructed in any manner.
To check these nozzles or knives you will have to remove the filter covers as the hosing is inside the machine and connected directly to the blowers. If the machine has a dryer system rather than blow off, check the squirrel cage blower and make sure that it is running. Also inspect the cage blower to see if the fins are obstructed. Then check the opening from the fan box to the drying stage and ensure that is not obstructed, allowing for hot air to the be re-circulated to the parts.
After performing these checks, if the problem is not solved or a specific problem is identified but requires help, you will need to contact the service department of the vendor who provided the washer. They will provide a crew to perform the necessary maintenance work and get your washer back up and running to the standards expected.

Power washers are essential tools for home and business use. It makes cleaning simpler. Follow some simple maintenance guide to prolong the life of these machines. Power washers are handy machine which will make your cleaning a lot simpler than ever. Power washers produce high pressure of water from its nozzle in order to clean even the most stubborn dirts. Because of the strength of the pressure, it can clean different kinds of dirt such as mud, dust, molds, grimes, etc. This powerful tool can be used to clean a lot of surfaces like buildings, vehicles, roads, garage and many other large areas. For large homes and gardens, a power washer is necessary. Just like any other machine or tools, the power washer also needs maintenance to fully benefit from its performance. Proper maintenance also helps to increase the lifespan of the machine. Follow simple steps for these machines to last longer. These are after all quite expensive machines that could not be easily replaced. The most basic in maintaining any machine or tools is prevention. Preventive is better that having your equipment repaired. It is vital to make it a habit to clean the power washer including its accessories every after use. This will save you a lot in terms of the maintenance cost for your equipment. Also store the equipment in a safe and clean storage. Since a power washer is a machine, it has other parts that also need regular cleaning. The most vital part of this equipment is the spray wand. A clogged spray wand hinders the continuous flow of water out of the nozzle. It will not allow you to end your job and can cause you to spend so much money for repair. So it is a must to do regular cleaning of the spray. If you are going to use the power washer, you must first secure all attachments and test the trigger if it is working. Squeeze the trigger for several times and check if the springs work well. If you notice any leak of water at its handle, it is time to change the spray gun. As a pressure device, it is composed of parts such as screens or filters and several O-rings. The filter helps to keep dirt away from the water pump which will cause serious hurt. This will also prevent the hose from clogging. The O-ring seals all attachments and prevents any leakage. It is sometimes necessary to change these parts when necessary. Maintaining power washer is quite simple. Besides keeping any dirt away from its water pump, change oil is one of the main concerns. Regularly change oil, at least once a year, or after every 50 hours of accumulated usage. Make sure to use the oil recommended for your type of power washer. The power washer also needs engine maintenance as this is the heart of this equipment. Regular tune up is required to maintain the normal function of the equipment. There are tune up kits which can be bought which makes it simpler to do the necessary adjustments. It is vital not to allow any water from the engines as this will hurt it. You can use brush to clean up the dirt inside the parts of the engine. Place some lubricants where it is necessary. Basically, when you buy the equipment it comes with complete manual which covers proper procedure in maintaining the power washer. It is vital to read the manuals carefully before making any maintenance with your equipment. If you diagnosed any serious problem with the power washer and you are not sure what to do, better have it serviced by a professional technician. Do not attempt to service it yourself because you might hurt it more. You will surely delight in longer service of your power washer as long as you follow these simple tips in maintaining your equipment.

There are many models of power washers out in the market. Karcher is the leading manufacturer that released new models for residential use. The 2009 Karcher Residential Power Washers will surely hit the market and every household in the US. Cleaning the yard takes a lot of effort. Scrubbing the walkway or the driveway is bothersome. Removing dirt stains, and mud, all over the garage eats a lot of precious time. Using an ordinary garden hose to really clean those things is a lifetime commitment. Time is so precious for a lot of people, especially in the US. Cleaning should not be a time consuming activity. Washing should not be a time consuming and bothering thing to do. Everybody must be able to delight in a clean environment at the least of time used. A garden hose used for cleaning and washing is already an ancient tradition. There is now, what we call, power washers. These power washers were invented to help us save a lot of time, effort, and a lot more things. Power washers were designed to clean and wash away dirt, stain, mud, and any other irritable dirts that cling to your clothes. One of the leading manufacturers of the power washers is Karcher. This company has shown to the world what cleaning and washing is all about. Karcher is well-known in producing high-pressured commercial washers. These machines are very effective and useful for a lot of huge establishments. It is now bringing all those positive details right at your home. This company has answered the dilemma of a lot of households. Cleaning and washing the yard or the car is a lot of fun and saves a lot of time. The company manufactures electric, gasoline, and diesel powered washers. They have separate models for hot and cold water use. Residential products are most likely cold water usage. In this year, 2009, residential power washers were designed to be just right for family use. Here are three product samples that might caught your interest and really buy one of your own: Karcher K 2. 16 This power washer offers a fantastic deal of convenience. This is an electric power washer that runs with only 120 volts and 60 Hertz. It has an operating pressure of 1400 PSI. It can carry a water volume of 1. 3 GPM. The maximum water temperature that it can take is up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. It is very handy with only a size of 15″L, 6″W, and 10″H. Most importantly, this power washer only weighs 9 lbs. It is also featured with different accessories: VPS or Vario Power Spray, or DirtBlaster Spray Wand, or Bayonet Trigger Gun with Child Safety Lock. It may also come with a siphoning tube or detergent injector, and/or a 20 feet high pressure hose. There is a 1 year limited warranty for this machine. Karcher K 2. 19 + Clean Kit This power washer has the same technical specifications like the K 2. 16. On the other hand, this model has a unique and better feature than the other. The cleaning kit attached to this model is what makes cleaning and washing more convenient and efficient. Yes, this power washer features a lot of cleaning tools to make the work simpler. The cleaning kits is complete with an accessory bag, 3 SoapPacs, rim brush, bristle brush, and a dual purpose sponge. Notice that this machine is more likely designed for car washing. Indeed, it was designed to help you clean your vehicle without damaging any paint, decals or under proofing. Karcher 2. 21 This power washer has an operating pressure of 1500 PSI. It is powered through 120 volts of electricity. It has a water volume of 104 degree Fahrenheit. This machine is larger that the two. It has a dimension of 8. 7″L, 9. 3″W, and 18. 4″H. It weighs 13 lbs without accessories. It also has a warranty period for 1 year. It is generally designed to clean and wash a wide surface. It comes with an additional accessory. The T-Racer Wide Area Surface Cleaner (T100) is a special accessory sold separately. It is designed to help you clean and wash wide surfaces without any back splashes. In this way, washing will be as quick as possible.

Despite what manufacturers want to hear, washing parts is a critical step in the production process. Components that are not properly cleaned at each step are unable to function as designed when completed. In order to maintain a high level of quality, parts washers need to be properly maintained. A parts washer not dealt with promptly and correctly makes an ineffective, wasteful, drain on the company and the production process.
Improperly maintained parts washers quickly become ineffective. The water in the machine is saturated with contaminant and unable to clean the parts, while the nozzles are clogged with particles that make it impossible for fluid to properly pass through. The pump starts to transfer sludge instead of fluid because the bottom of the tank is so contaminated. As the machine continues to fall into disrepair, it re-contaminates the parts it was intended to clean.
To prevent this scenario, it is necessary to perform preventative maintenance on parts washers and keep close tabs on their performance.
Unfortunately, many companies choose only to perform maintenance after failure of the parts washer. By waiting until a problem arises, these companies waste time, money, and production. Maintenance is more effective and simpler when performed before the problem arises, opposed to waiting until after. In order to do this, it is necessary for supervisors to know when maintenance needs to be performed.
Scheduled maintenance is a common practice with parts washers. But, scheduling repair via calendar is not an ideal practice. Often, this leads to maintenance being performed too often or not often enough, so rarely is it done efficiently. Unless the same amount of parts, with the same level of contamination, is moving through the parts washer in the same amount of time, then maintenance cannot be scheduled from a calendar. If any of the variables change, it changes the maintenance schedule.
Finding employees to monitor the parts washer for possible maintenance needs is also hard for companies. Cleaning the washer is a tough, dirty, and undesirable position. Often, the last hire in the work cell is handed the responsibility of cleaning. Since they are inexperienced, it can be hard for these employees to make the right decisions on when to perform routine maintenance.
Meanwhile, the supervisors have crowded schedules, and do not have the time to make regularly scheduled rounds on the floor to check the small details that indicate the parts washers level of performance. When they are on the floor, it is often due to a problem that has already arisen. These situations can be chaotic, as the supervisor and employees work to remedy the issue and continue production. Therefore, alternative methods of monitoring the parts washer must be examined in order to prevent chaotic situations and fix problems before they start.
Parts washers today are equipped with computer interfaces that monitor all aspects of the machine. These interfaces can be linked with computers that are off-site or located away from the machine, allowing for supervision from a distant. The workers on the floor will be able to do their jobs without worrying about constantly monitoring gauges and numbers, and the supervisors will be saved unnecessary and unscheduled trips to the floor.
By connecting the parts washer to a computer through a network, supervisors can monitor the status of the washer from anywhere that is able to connect to the Internet. This allows for cool analysis of the washer from a remote location. With this setup, the supervisor can check all of the following elements of the parts washer:
- Production piece count since last fluid dump and recharge
- Fluid pressure before filter
- Fluid Pressure after filter
- Blow off air pressure reading
- Blow off air vacuum reading
- Amp reading on each heater element
- Amp reading on drives motor
- Amp reading of pump motor
- Amp reading of steam exhaust motor
- Gas pressure reading
- Solution Temperature Wash and Rinse
- Air Blow off temperature
If any of the numbers appear problematic, the supervisor simply needs to send an email to the workers, who can adjust the necessary settings or perform the required maintenance.
While this seems to be a simple resolution to the problem of preventive maintenance, it can be hard to implement. The company must be convinced that the initial set-up costs of the system will provide worthy results. There is always resistance to fundamental change, and this solution is no different in that regard. But, if the company is able to be progressive in their choice making they will soon reap the benefits of proper care of their parts washing equipment. The ability to confidently monitor and schedule maintenance will prevent quality decline, slow downs in production, and wasteful time spent doing unnecessary maintenance or hard repairs after a problem has already occurred.
This new system will enable the production line to utilize a more efficient, less costly to maintain washer, a more tightly controlled manufacturing process and a Production Supervisor who can prevent a crisis before it starts.