P.O. Box 1376
Monroe, GA 30656
(770) 267-3787 gpm@gpmhydraulic.com

 

February 2008

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'Troubleshooting Hydraulics' Newsletter  

www.gpmhydraulic.com 

          Al Smiley           President

       Jack Weeks         Hydraulic Consultant

    Robin Garner        Training Coordinator

   Alan Dellinger     Hydraulic Consultant

 

IN THIS ISSUE  

1. Field Service Hydraulic Troubleshooting - Measurable Benefits RIGHT NOW! 

2. The GPM Grapevine

3. In-plant consulting and troubleshooting

4. Off-site Consulting - Not What You Thought We Meant!

5. 2008 Public Workshops

6. Help us spread the news

 

       

Maintenance Hydraulic Troubleshooting on Interactive CD

Our nationally acclaimed Maintenance Hydraulic Troubleshooting workshop on six fully interactive CD's.  Includes our MHT workshop manual.  6-CD Set - $1200 Individual CD's - $250 + Shipping and Handling.            Click on http://gpmhydraulic.com/mhtcds.htm to find out more. 

 

 
1.  Field Service Hydraulic Troubleshooting - Measurable Benefits RIGHT NOW!
Jack Weeks - Consultant for GPM Hydraulic Consulting, Inc

Since the day we opened our doors in 1994, there have been two distinct obstacles common to virtually every customer we have served:  budget limits for training and scheduling.  Everyone agrees that maintenance people need to know more about hydraulic troubleshooting.  We can't remember the last time the reason a maintenance manager did not schedule training because he didn't feel his people needed it.  Either it is not in the training budget or workload will not allow scheduling of three days of training.  Or both.

Of course, everything changes when there is a major hydraulic system outage and no one is sure how to get back running again.  Suddenly money is no object and whatever manpower is needed becomes available.  The result is that a consultant is called to the plant to diagnose the problem and usually more money and man hours are consumed than would have been spent on training in the first place - and still no hydraulic troubleshooting training has been received!

We understand why this is.  There is an immediate benefit from a consulting call - the machine that wasn't working when we arrived is working again.  This is never a difficult cost to justify.  But the information gained in a hydraulic troubleshooting class may not be used for weeks, months or even years.  It's often hard to gauge the benefits.
Our answer - Field Service Hydraulic Troubleshooting (FSHT).  It's not really a class, not really a consulting call, but both combined.  It doesn't have a set agenda the way a training class does and it doesn't suffer from the urgency to bring a machine back online as consulting calls usually do.  Immediate benefits are always realized and in ways that are easily measurable.  And the nature of the training is such that the cost may not need to come from the training budget.  Quite often, state funding is available.  But most importantly, the payback is immediately realized.

Have you ever changed a perfectly good pump?  Our instructors can show you how to be sure that never happens again!

Do your technicians know how to flush a hydraulic system without losing any production time?

Are the right PM records being kept to accurately track component wear?

How It Works

An instructor visits a facility for a predetermined amount of time - anywhere from one day to several weeks, depending on the level of benefit desired and the size of the facility.  In the course of his visit, he will deliver one-on-one training to maintenance personnel as they are available to receive it.  He will familiarize himself with the machines and make recommendations for gauges, flow meters and test equipment.  He will show the technicians how to properly adjust the system for maximum efficiency and how to make regular checks on the machine to discover when pumps and other components are about to fail.  Usually he will be asked to help develop troubleshooting schematics and preventive maintenance schedules.  The students are not only taught to read schematics, but taught how do draw their own - on the machines they are responsible to maintain.  And if a failure occurs during the instructor's visit, he is available for live troubleshooting of the machine using the same techniques he has just taught.  A detailed report is made at the conclusion of his visit (or for longer visits, regular reports at predefined intervals) to ensure the retention of all benefits gained.

The result is a documented, measurable immediate benefit - the stuff of which managers' dreams are made.  There is an immediate reduction in down time, unnecessary parts cost and energy consumption.  There is also an immediate increase in safety awareness, fluid maintenance and troubleshooting skills.

Best of all, this type of training is tailored to your facility.  No time is wasted learning about components and configurations you don't have.  Since Field Service Hydraulic Troubleshooting enables the instructor to spend time with the specific machines and the technicians who maintain it, he is able to determine exactly where knowledge and resources are lacking.  Often the cost of the instruction and recommendations of the instructor are recovered in measurably increased production and savings before the training is even completed.

If you know you could be saving money and increasing production and uptime in these turbulent financial times and need someone to help show you how, GPM's Field Service Hydraulic Troubleshooting may well be the answer.

Jack Weeks  entered GPM’s organization in January of 1997 as a CAD draftsman and hydraulic instructor. He has trained thousands of electricians and mechanics in Hydraulic Troubleshooting methods. His computerized animations have made GPM's presentations and training CD's the recognized leader in the industry. He received his education from the Georgia Institute of Technology School of Electrical Engineering and the Department of State Foreign Service Institute.  Jack is an experienced draftsman and taught telecommunications equipment operation and repair for the Central Intelligence Agency at American embassies overseas.
2.  The GPM Grapevine
Robin Garner - GPM Training Coordinator

Our new, full-color hydraulic troubleshooting manuals have been a raging success!  Everyone loves them and says they are the easiest manuals to use that they have ever seen.  We're proud of them (can you tell?) but all of the hard work that went into publishing them is really paying off.

Al and Jack worked together in teaching 3 one day workshops for the maintenance staff at a large grain processing plant in Indiana. The following week, Al taught GPM's Troubleshooting Bosch Proportional Valves workshop in Monticello, Georgia that was attended by 3 separate plywood plants. The next week he did a hydraulic survey at a papermill in Conyers, Georgia in preparation for developing a customized workshop on their Reeler. Two days later he had to head down to a plywood plant in Warm Springs, Georgia to assist in troubleshooting problems on their prepress. He also contributed an article to Southern Lumberman magazine which will be appearing in an upcoming issue.

Alan performed a site survey in Gadsden, AL, conducted Field Service Hydraulic Troubleshooting in Savannah, GA and taught a Maintenance Basic Hydraulic Troubleshooting workshop in Eugene, OR.  He has also been drafting custom hydraulic troubleshooting schematics for companies in Austel, GA, Allendale, SC and Mt. Gilead, NC.

In addition to accompanying Al in Indiana, Jack has taught Maintenance Basic Hydraulic Troubleshooting classes in Cordele, GA and Shreveport, LA.  He has also been developing troubleshooting manuals for companies in Corpus Christi, TX and Conyers, GA.

Together, Alan and Jack have been working on development of our upcoming online hydraulic troubleshooting course.  Keep an eye out for the announcement in the newsletter and the website when that is available.

My learning curve is still almost a vertical line on all of our new hardware and software, but I'm gaining on it!

Robin Garner,  GPM’s Training Coordinator, joined the organization in 2004.  In addition to coordinating the training classes, she also does the desktop publishing for GPM's troubleshooting manuals. Robin also manages the marketing and accounting for the company. 
 

3. In-plant consulting and troubleshooting

     

Nothing is more expensive than unscheduled down time.  GPM’s customers know they can call whenever they have a troubleshooting issue they simply can’t resolve.  With over 50 years experience dealing with hydraulic failures, our consultants have the resources to help troubleshoot whatever hydraulic problem you encounter.  Whether you’re experiencing a total system outage, repeated component failure or just need a professionally designed preventive maintenance schedule, the consultants at GPM can help.  Call GPM for     

            In-plant  Troubleshooting                                                

            Leakage Problems                                                         

            Pressure Settings

            Shock Problems

            Preventive Maintenance Scheduling

            Hydraulic Troubleshooting Manual Development

            Startup Consulting and Recommendations

            Heat Problems

            Repeated Component Failures  

            Speed Problems

Do you want to learn more on how GPM can help you? Go to http://gpmhydraulic.com/troubleshooting.htm

 

Troubleshooting Proportional Valves

The complete guide to troubleshooting and maintaining linear positioner circuits with electronically controlled proportional valves.  The same manual used in our acclaimed Troubleshooting Proportional Valves public seminar.

                    $49.95 + Shipping & Handling

To order this and other exciting products online, visit the GPM Store!

 

4. Off-Site Consulting - Not What You Thought We Meant!

When we announced off-site consulting last month, several of our regular customers misunderstood.  No, we are not going to begin charging people just to call us and ask a hydraulic-related question.   Off-site consulting is intended to be used in lieu of a physical visit when that is possible, not as a means of charging for something we have historically provided for free.  An off-site consulting call typically lasts a significant amount of time and involves faxing or emailing schematics, pictures and other necessary information so we can help troubleshoot remotely.  It is offered to take advantage of modern methods of communication and save our customers time and money whenever we can help without physically being there.  Just as always, you can still call us for free when you have questions we can answer for you.    Call us at (770) 267-3787 or email at gpm@gpmhydraulic.com for more information.

 

5. 2008 Public Workshops

Troubleshooting Proportional Valves 2008

Click Here for a Full Description of the Workshop

8 Hour Course

Registration Fee $450.00 Per Person. 

Save $100 if attended in conjunction with our three-day Maintenance Hydraulic Troubleshooting workshop

Date

City 

Location

February 19 Smithfield, NC To Be Announced
February 21 Newberry, SC To Be Announced
March 11 Saraland, AL To Be Announced
March 13 Cordele, GA To Be Announced
May 16 Eugene, OR To Be Announced
June 3 Shreveport, LA To Be Announced
June 5 Laurel, MS To Be Announced
July 15 Greensboro, GA To Be Announced
September 9 Tupelo, MS To Be Announced
September 11 LaGrange, GA To Be Announced

Only $350.00 If Attending Our 3-Day Maintenance Hydraulic Troubleshooting Workshop The Same Week. (See 2008 MHT Schedule Below)

            Learn How To Troubleshoot and Maintain Linear Positioner Circuits with Electronically Controlled Proportional Valves

 

 

Maintenance Hydraulic Troubleshooting 2008

3 Day Course

Registration Fee $850.00 Per Person

Learn More About Our Maintenance Hydraulic Troubleshooting Course 

2008 Maintenance Hydraulic Troubleshooting Schedule

The proportional valve icon beside a date indicates that our exclusive one-day Troubleshooting Proportional Valve Systems workshop will be conducted at the same location and may be included with your Maintenance Hydraulic Troubleshooting workshop for just $350!

 

Date

                   City                  Location
February 13 - 15 Russellville, AR  To Be Announced
February 18 - 20 Blytheville, AR To Be Announced
February 26 - 28 LaGrange, GA To Be Announced
March 4 - 6 Fresno, CA To Be Announced
March 11 - 13 Statesville, NC To Be Announced
March 18 - 20 Laurel, MS To Be Announced
April 8 - 10 Madison, GA To Be Announced
April 15 - 17 Newberry, SC To Be Announced
April 22 - 24 Decatur, AL To Be Announced
May 6 - 8 Saraland, AL To Be Announced
May 13 - 15 Eugene, OR To Be Announced
May 13 - 15 Savannah, GA To Be Announced
May 20 - 22 Milford, OH To Be Announced
June 3 - 5 Rocky Mount, NC To Be Announced
June 10 - 12 Cleveland, TN To Be Announced
June 17 - 19 Tupelo, MS To Be Announced
July 22 - 24 Ruston, LA To Be Announced
July 29 - 31 Florence, SC To Be Announced
August 12 - 15 Spartanburg, SC To Be Announced
August 20 - 22 Bradford, PA To Be Announced
August 25 - 27 Roanoke, VA To Be Announced
September 16 - 18 Greenville, SC To Be Announced
September 23 - 25 Conyers, GA To Be Announced
September 30 - October 2 Summerville, SC To Be Announced
October 7 - 9 Tuscaloosa, AL To Be Announced
October 14 - 16 Smithfield, NC To Be Announced
October 14 - 16 Tallahassee, FL To Be Announced

*For Only $350.00 More Attend Our Troubleshooting Proportional Valves Workshop The Same Week.

 

6.  Spread the news

If you've found our newsletter informative and beneficial please click here to tell your co-workers and friends.

 

 

Hydraulic Schematic Symbols Explained

This interactive CD is the fastest, easiest way available to learn hydraulic schematic symbols.$49.95 + Shipping & Handling. Find out more, go to http://gpmhydraulic.com/symbolcd.htm

 

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GPM Hydraulic Consulting, Inc.

Box 1376

Monroe, GA 30655

(770) 267-3787

gpm@gpmhydraulic.com