First year with a truckmount in the COLD!!!

[Best in the West]

Didn't you say you were from the north west? Be easy on yourself. Not stupid just mind challenged lol

People in Klamath falls still say they are in the northwest, but I'm closer to the NW corner of the U.S. than they are. We all just want want to belong! If we can't say we're from the northwest, where do I say I am? I'm like Pluto, just a big nothing floating in the middle of nowhere. Crap, maybe I need to move.

 

[smart n kleen]

People in Klamath falls still say they are in the northwest, but I'm closer to the NW corner of the U.S. than they are. We all just want want to belong! If we can't say we're from the northwest, where do I say I am? I'm like Pluto, just a big nothing floating in the middle of nowhere. Crap, maybe I need to move.

We're considered the north west. Google it lol.

 

[Jack]

40 and 50 degrees here in winter and I still want move south.


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Sissy!

 

[Luky]

This post is for the CC's who have to deal with freezing temps.
How do you guys handle the cold?
Avoiding frozen lines, water sources, protecting your cleaning solutions and protectors etc...
Do you leave the van running during the cleaning? Looking for suggestions to avoid any major damage to my pump, blower, engine etc!
( Or do you shut down until the weather warms? )

I have seen seasoned wolfs having problems at times. There are many ways how to protect your unit and equipment from Jack Frost, but it comes to one thing. If your nearing to around 0° tempetures, if you can, stay put. You can use insulation( Home depot- plumbing) to protect hose going to the door, but more importantly protect QD"s on the ground and on unit itself.No matter, how hot water is coming, your QD can freeze up. You have to set up fast, start and you'll be in the safe zone until you have to stop, spraying or extracting. If you have helper and you are preoccupied with some other activity which doesn't require water flow, have him remove pressure line from the unit, or make sure water is trickling somewhere(I use Mytee dry, very low flow.

 

[Jack]

This is my situation, and tonight 5 below. View attachment 68851View attachment 68852

These picture remind me to carry a snow shovel with me.

 

[keep it clean]

These picture remind me to carry a snow shovel with me.

Agreed. Just ordered me some new tire chains to go with the shovel.


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[Qwikdry]

i plan to do only the work that comes to me this winter. it's too cold to clean carpets this time of year. fortunately next week will be back in the 20-30's F

 

[smart n kleen]

Agreed. Just ordered me some new tire chains to go with the shovel.


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I have great tires. No slipping in the snow

 

[smart n kleen]

i plan to do only the work that comes to me this winter. it's too cold to clean carpets this time of year. fortunately next week will be back in the 20-30's F

30's here next week I have mucho work next week.

 

[keep it clean]

I have great tires. No slipping in the snow

Most times i can get around without them. But theyre good to have ready to go. Pa is known for stranding motorists. I got blanket and little bit of food in there too. Never know when youll get stuck on a highway somewhere.




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[smart n kleen]

Most times i can get around without them. But theyre good to have ready to go. Pa is known for stranding motorists. I got blanket and little bit of food in there too. Never know when youll get stuck on a highway somewhere.




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I have the blankets also. Great idea.

 

[mrotto]

How do you guys handle the cold?
Avoiding frozen lines, water sources, protecting your cleaning solutions and protectors etc...

How do you guys handle the cold? You have to set up quicker than summer.
Avoiding frozen lines: some will tell you that the solution hose goes in the home last. I don't. First, I use Parflex hose so it holds the heat in much better than Goodyear. When you are ready to unload the equipment to take it in the house (van heater is running) you can turn on the TM and keep the van running until you are ready to clean. Its only a few minutes so there is very little heat loss inside the van while you are unloading the equipment - even in -30 degree weather. I don't insulate the van either. Once the solution hose is in, hook up a hydroforce to get the water through the line. Once it moves, it wont freeze by the time you clean. Oh, another thing. My first line of solution hose is 115' long so there are no quick connects left in the cold. THATS where it will freeze. When your all set up you can turn off the van and clean. Door drapes all year long and SEAL A DOOR in winter wont let cold in the house.
water sources: water pond
protecting your cleaning solutions and protectors van heat

 

[smart n kleen]

How do you guys handle the cold? You have to set up quicker than summer.
Avoiding frozen lines: some will tell you that the solution hose goes in the home last. I don't. First, I use Parflex hose so it holds the heat in much better than Goodyear. When you are ready to unload the equipment to take it in the house (van heater is running) you can turn on the TM and keep the van running until you are ready to clean. Its only a few minutes so there is very little heat loss inside the van while you are unloading the equipment - even in -30 degree weather. I don't insulate the van either. Once the solution hose is in, hook up a hydroforce to get the water through the line. Once it moves, it wont freeze by the time you clean. Oh, another thing. My first line of solution hose is 115' long so there are no quick connects left in the cold. THATS where it will freeze. When your all set up you can turn off the van and clean. Door drapes all year long and SEAL A DOOR in winter wont let cold in the house.
water sources: water pond
protecting your cleaning solutions and protectors van heat

I use stainless steel quick connections which don't freeze as quickly as brass. I agree with what you said.

 

[Jeff Marek]

The cold got my pressure regulator today, and my chemical injection gauge cracked.
I think I'm going to shut down for the rest of the winter?!

 

[1ST CHOICE CLEANING]

The cold got my pressure regulator today, and my chemical injection gauge cracked.
I think I'm going to shut down for the rest of the winter?!

That sucks. Did it happen over night or during the day while you was cleaning?

 

[Jeff Marek]

That sucks. Did it happen over night or during the day while you was cleaning?

Literally brought the solution line upstairs, came back down to hit the pump clutch switch, and NOTHING.
No pressure reading, and immediately my fiber rinse started streaming down the gauge. Tried to turn the regulator to see if my helper might have changed the pressure ( I like to run at 300psi ) and the regulator wouldn't budge!!
Stupid me, I put some good ole American elbow grease on my next turn, and it came apart in my hands!!
It was 2* outside, van heater blasting, and truckmount engine running at 3200rpm. Called the mechanic, he said he'd order me a regulator and a Chem injection gauge, but it would take a week as it's been happening frequently this year! Looks like I'm driving Uber until it's in the 40's consistently!!

 

[smart n kleen]

Literally brought the solution line upstairs, came back down to hit the pump clutch switch, and NOTHING.
No pressure reading, and immediately my fiber rinse started streaming down the gauge. Tried to turn the regulator to see if my helper might have changed the pressure ( I like to run at 300psi ) and the regulator wouldn't budge!!
Stupid me, I put some good ole American elbow grease on my next turn, and it came apart in my hands!!
It was 2* outside, van heater blasting, and truckmount engine running at 3200rpm. Called the mechanic, he said he'd order me a regulator and a Chem injection gauge, but it would take a week as it's been happening frequently this year! Looks like I'm driving Uber until it's in the 40's consistently!!

Wow that sucks. Sorry to hear that.

 

[Jeff Marek]

Wow that sucks. Sorry to hear that.

Thanks! I had a good year, so the time off might be good!!!

 

[smart n kleen]

Thanks! I had a good year, so the time off might be good!!!

It was 11 degrees yesterday and I didn't want to work but property management company needed it done.

 

[Rick Imby]

Is that considered north west?

Really? We are 400 miles to the Pacific Ocean and on the Canadian Border. Hard to call us anything but northwest.

Grin