3-Equipment Maintenance Policy.docx

Equipment Maintenance Policy

Reyes & Sons LLC prioritizes equipment maintenance for its mechanical broom sweeping services through a robust in-house program and strategic external partnerships. Their approach is designed to maximize equipment uptime and ensure operational readiness.

In-House Maintenance Capabilities Reyes & Sons operates a comprehensive 25,000 square foot facility on a 3-acre property, featuring 8 repair bays, washout, and refueling areas, as well as space for debris dumping and dirt screening. This centralized hub supports their extensive in-house maintenance operations.

Key internal resources include:

· Experienced Mechanics: Two full-time mechanics, each with over ten years of experience, work around the clock to address equipment needs.

· Support Staff: Ten full-time employees assist with shop operations, servicing, and staging equipment for upcoming shifts.

· Specialized Fabrication: A full-time metal fabricator/welder provides in-house capabilities for structural repairs, ranging from minor fixes to complete overhauls of sweeper elevator or hopper systems. This significantly reduces downtime by eliminating reliance on external vendors for custom parts.

· Parts Inventory: We are consistently stocked, covering essential components like hydraulic pumps and cylinders, various brooms, valves, hoses, electrical components, and brake parts. This extensive inventory minimizes lead times for critical replacements.

Maintenance Process:

· Daily Inspections: Before and after every shift, sweeper and large debris truck operators complete pre-trip and post-trip inspection reports. Shop mechanics review these reports daily and perform necessary repairs before equipment is dispatched.

· Routine Maintenance Schedules: In addition to daily checks, all equipment adheres to routine maintenance schedules.

· Major Repairs: Most major repairs, including engine rebuilds, transmission work, driveline repairs, and hydraulic system overhauls, are completed in-house. Sweeper system repairs are also handled internally unless unresolvable complications arise.

External Resources and Partnerships While Reyes & Sons emphasizes in-house capabilities, they maintain strong relationships with a network of external service providers for specialized parts or complex repairs. This ensures access to expert support when needed, often allowing their needs to be prioritized.

Key external partners include:

· Vehicle and Sweeper Manufacturers: Nescon (X-Broom sweepers), Velocity Trucking/Freightliner (Freightliner chassis), Norwood Equipment (Elgin sweepers), and Commercial Truck Sales (Nissan/UD Chassis) provide parts and service for specific equipment.

· Parts Suppliers: Newt Fogel Sales (all sweepers, brooms), Reman Electric (starters, alternators, hydraulic cylinders), Lacal (sweeper parts), FleetPride, and O’Reilly Auto Parts (daily delivery) ensure a consistent supply of components.

· Specialized Services: King’s Diesel Diagnosis offers service for engine computer technical problems.

Repair Timeframes for Critical Components Reyes & Sons's internal capabilities enable quick turnaround times for common, critical repairs:

· Sweeper Elevator Floor: This involves removing chains, flights, roller bars, and sprockets, repairing sidewall damage, and installing new floor pans, sprockets, and chains. The estimated turnaround time is approximately 2 days, depending on the severity of elevator wall damage.

· Flights and Chains / Conveyor System:

· X-Broom Sweeper (Flights and Chains): Replacement typically takes 1 day, even if roller bars or sprockets need replacement.

· Elgin Eagle Sweeper (Conveyer System): Replacing a ripped conveyor system is a 1-day job. Reyes & Sons stocks Elgin Eagle conveyer systems to prevent shipping delays. Replacing roller bars also falls within the 1-day timeframe.

Maintenance and Training Program Reyes & Sons maintains a robust maintenance and training program to ensure a skilled workforce and uphold safety standards.

· New Employee Training: New mechanics, whether from diesel schools or with prior experience, start by learning the company's assembly line process for preparing trucks for the next sweep, including washout, refueling, and servicing. Less experienced hires may begin as "washout/service" personnel to gain foundational knowledge.

· Mentorship and Teamwork: More experienced new hires quickly integrate into the shop, working alongside seasoned mechanics. This hands-on learning, coupled with the team-oriented environment where mechanics leverage each other's strengths (e.g., electrical, engine building, hydraulics), fosters continuous learning and skill development.

· Safety Protocols: All safety-related repairs, such as brakes and lights, require verification by two mechanics before the equipment is cleared for road use. This stringent safety protocol has contributed to an excellent safety record and a low incidence of at-fault accidents due due to equipment malfunctions.

By combining extensive in-house resources, strategic external partnerships, efficient repair processes, and a strong commitment to training and safety, Reyes & Sons ensures its mechanical broom sweeping equipment is consistently well-maintained and ready for service.