How many of ya\'ll do your own mechanical repairs on the unit you operate?As in changing jugs,wear plates or rings,universal joint replacement,maybe changing out control valves or solenoids,or basic re-wiring jobs.Is there any operators that do just that,and wash their pump?

I do the work on my pump, i have a mech for the big stuff. but i repacked my material cylinders. turned cuttting ring, change gaskets, change sylenoids, replace hyd hoses, anything that needs to be done. and i wash my pump daily. the mechanic that we have is very smart. he was my fathers mech. then we bought a pump and he read some books and now he knows as much or more about our schwings than most people. and has never been to a schwing school.

I am with JT on that!

i handle all the basics and i get help and watch the unknown; rule of thumb is quit while you are ahead. in 1953 my grandfather was the first cummins factory wrench to the northwest; he had a eighth grade education so every thing was from books; in the trade it is called having savvy, pratical knowhow. 

I am a owner/operator and work on all my own stuff. Even if you do not work on your equipment you have too understand how it works. One day your pump will quit on you and concrete is non forgiving. You become the \"first responder\". I have found that basic tools for \"your rig\" and a amp meter is essential. Even if you have a mechanic on the way you can save him and your pump time by eliminating some of the obvious stuff.

i\'m with you guys i do most of the work on my pump and even if it goes to the shop to our mech i go with it to help and to learn . if you know how it works and how its put together then you know what to watch and listen for.

About a week ago my 4th section quit moving one way, i guess the cable running from the back of my truck to the turret got damaged, i had to splice the ground wire from the 4th section the the 3rd section ground to make it until my new cable comes in. does that count??? ;)