When reworking or refurbishing containers make sure to take all things into account before an offer or a bid is on the table. If your equipment looks it’s finest, customers will be sure to return and keep your bottom line growing.
Bryan G. Beers
When it comes to roll-off container care, there are those who take care of their containers and there are those who do not. “It’s a huge steel box and it’s going to get beat up, as long as the door shuts and we can roll it on and off, we are good” is a common statement we hear every day. While taking your next drive down the highway, check out the container trucks and let me know what you see. Some believe in maintenance and others simply use and abuse them and order more when they breakdown past the point of repair or refurbishing. More often than not, container users or container rental companies will place the units into the field and start collecting rent on day one, and on day 1,460 (forth year) they will scrap them and start the process over.
Things to Consider
Container maintenance is an option that most do not engage in due to the limited resources around them, as well as the time and energy they perceive to make it all happen. Bottom line, maintenance saves you time and money, but it has to be planned and a maintenance program and partner must be in place. Additionally, one should start with the end in mind and have a low level strategy of preventative maintenance, have the units routinely inspected and implement a repair and refurbish check sheet so the process is fast and outlines all the points of the most common wear parts. Also, consider the geographical location of the containers and the elements. Cold weather usually means snow, and with snow comes wet climates lasting longer and lots of salt. Salt is a huge enemy to steel containers. Taking care of the moving parts and preventing rust will add many more years of life to your containers. If proper maintenance is too challenging due to budgets, there are other ways that can help save you money. Last but not least, there are many ways to bring an old and decrepit box back to life.
Greasing the Container
When working with customers, I ask a multitude of questions regarding maintenance and how I can make the parts that I provide better, usually getting the same answers over and over. When I ask questions regarding grease fittings, the common response is that they do not matter because the first time the part is greased will most likely be the last time. However, if every container were on a regulated maintenance schedule it would make a world of difference. Add a grease gun to every truck in your fleet and have the drivers grease each container on every pull. This will ensure that each container gets the grease it needs, whether it is moved once a day or once every six months. Greasing wheels, hinges, nose rollers, fittings and even roofs only takes a few minutes to save a lot of money not only now but in the long run. Regular greasing increases the workability of the parts while decreasing the need to purchase replacements.
The major component that all containers share is the ground rollers. Cable pull boxes are not only fitted with ground rollers, but also nose rollers. Ground and nose rollers often tend to seize up and cause problems in streets and driveways all over the country. In some cities steel wheels have been outlawed altogether, leaving polypropylene or rubber wheels as alternative options. Regardless of where the boxes are being used, ground rollers are one of the utmost areas that need attention. Ground and nose rollers need the proper amount of grease to avoid getting replaced as often. Hinges and those other hidden grease fittings need attention too so give them a pump as well. Grease will increase the longevity of the container and save time compared to waiting and installing new parts. So remember, give grease a chance.
Preventing Rust
Another aspect of good container maintenance is dealing with rust and there are many preventive measures that can help to tame and deal with it. When purchasing roll-offs, use those with a quality paint and primer. Oil and epoxy based paints generally adhere to the steel better and typically provide a harder enamel finish with a higher gloss appearance. Boxes can also be primed in a zinc primer that will make the steel more resistant to the elements outside. If all these steps were taken and the rust still made it to your box, not all is lost. First try sanding the rusty spot and then cover with rust inhibiting paint, or with another piece of steel on top of it. If the rust is too bad, cut out the section and replace it with a piece of raw steel and then prime and paint. These practices will buy some time and will make the boxes look better than before.
Buying Used and Refurbishing
In this industry, we are all looking for a way to save a buck. A money saving option that most customers explore is buying used containers at auctions or off private owners and refurbish them; however, there are a few things that must be looked at. First, look at the overall structure of the container. A very expensive mistake is buying a box that has the wrong width long rails, even though most style lifts use the same width, there can be some containers that are not standard. This results in having to cut the long rails off the container and re-weld them to the correct width specs. When buying used, also look at the hook-up. Cable hook-ups are typically the same, but when working with a hook-lift truck there are many different styles and clearances. Clearances should be verified with the hook-lift manufacturer. Hook-ups should not be a complete deal breaker. Parts are available to change these. To convert a hook-lift to a different hook-lift style, cut the old A-frame off and weld on a new one. Cable hook-ups are easily converted to a hook-lift by simply adding an A-frame to the front of the box. This also makes a convenient cable/hook-lift combination for use across multiple trucks. Finally before placing your box in use, look at the stops and lock down locations to be sure everything is secured properly to the truck. This is important for the transportation of the box back to the yard because the Department of Transportation can affect the bottom line too. With all of the above areas, it is essential to weigh all the options, new is not always more expensive.
If refurbishing containers is the avenue that appeals most, it is easiest to go section by section. I usually start with the bottom of the container looking at the understructure. Long rails, cross channels, wheels and stops can all be replaced easily and new steel added. Next, check out the front of the box. Oftentimes the front posts are commonly in need of attention, which can include capping over any damage, replacing what is currently there or upgrading to a full tubing front end that is much stronger. After the front posts are addressed, inspect the cable box or A-frame, push plate, bullnose and the ground/nose rollers. Preceding this, move towards the sides, and starting from the top, work down for a complete inspection of the unit. Top rails can be replaced in sections or in its entirety, which both methods can be very labor intensive. Then, check the side posts; like the front posts these can be fixed by capping over the existing post, replacing the whole post or upgrading to a tube side post. A very common issue with containers is that holes are punched into the side sheet from equipment or debris. This is a very simple fix by welding a “Band-Aid” or small sheet of steel over the hole, although there will be times that a whole side sheet or just the bottom of the sheet is needed. Finally, analyze the tailgate and its posts. If sections are in poor condition, cut out and replace the sections or replace the entire tailgate. Depending on the containers, inspection of other features such as dirt shedders, seals and special hinges require the appropriate attention. All of these components are available to buy and can be installed quite easily. Corrections and attention to the areas of concern will make the boxes look better, last longer and continue to make you a profit.
Accessories
When looking into any roll-off parts or accessories, make sure you are purchasing quality parts. Cheaper is not always better, especially when the longevity does not come hand in hand. A must is to compare parts, looking for the specifications that work for your box and ensure that they are made to hold up to the job at hand. Never be afraid to ask questions and do research leading to the purchase of the highest quality parts, such as finding out what gauge of steel is needed to match the current parts in the box or even upgrade. Whether just maintaining a box, upgrading to meet full capacity or refurbishing a diamond in the rough, determine what is best for your box.
Keep You Bottom Line Growing
The definition of maintenance is, “the process of upkeep or preserving something” and that is the key to keeping great equipment. A little grease and a good coat of paint will go a long way. When reworking the used containers, make sure to take all things into account before an offer or a bid is on the table. The explanation to refurbish is, “to repair and make improvements to,” so order the right parts and try to find all problems the first time. With application of these helpful hints, your equipment will look its finest and customers will be sure to return, keeping your bottom line growing.
Bryan G. Beers is the Commercial Parts Sales Representative at Roll-offParts.com (Erie, PA). A specialist in the world of roll-offs and roll-off repair, he has been with Roll-offParts.com for two years and has 13 years in the truck industry mostly in Medium Duty. Bryan can be reached at (855) 860-3252 or via e-mail at [email protected].