Small Engine Repair - You Can Do it Yourself

Small engines are used on many types of outdoor power equipment including lawnmowers, snowblowers, tillers, trimmers, chainsaws and blowers. From time to time these engines require service. When this happens, should you attempt to fix the problem yourself or should you instead take the machine to a local repair shop?

There are some good reasons to consider repairing your own small engine. Most repair shops charge a fee just to look at your machine. At fifty dollars or more per hour of labor plus the cost of parts, your bill can quickly add up. During busy seasons a repair shop may take weeks to repair your machine. Before any of that you must load the heavy equipment into your car or pay expensive pickup/delivery charges. Will they fix it right the first time?

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With some basic mechanical ability and a few common tools you can often do the job yourself, saving money and time. Start by reading the machine's owner's manual. There you'll find important safety and warranty information, operating instructions and maintenance procedures. If the solution to your problem isn't found there then find the machine's make and model number. Often these numbers are stamped directly into the engine's cover, or they may be located on a sticker or tag attached to the engine. There may be separate model numbers for the engine and for the chassis or "body" of the machine.

Use your machine's make and model number to obtain the correct service manual. Many of the same service manuals that professional small engine mechanics use are readily available via the Internet and are quite inexpensive. Some online stores offer a wide selection of service manuals in a number of formats including paper, downloadable electronic PDF, VHS video and CD-ROM. These manuals are quite detailed yet are written at a fairly basic level. They contain important safety information, adjustment procedures, troubleshooting tips and specifications in addition to step-by-step repair instructions. The service manual will easily pay for itself on the first job.

After using the service manual to diagnose your machine's problem, decide if it is something that you can repair yourself. Some problems require specials tools or are covered under the machine's warranty and these repairs are best left to a professional. Many common problems however are easy to fix yourself. Replacing a clogged air filter for example is quite simple and takes just minutes. Replacement parts are available online and at local dealers that support your brand of equipment.

So the next time your lawnmower won't start, don't run to the local repair shop. If you're the least bit handy, consider trying to fix it yourself. Not only can you save money and time, but you'll also get the satisfaction that comes from repairing your own power equipment.

Small Engine Repair - You Can Do it Yourself

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Hospital Bed Repair - Tips to Save Time and Money

Hospital beds have come a long way in the past few decades. What was once mostly a mechanical machine has become a truly sophisticated piece of medical equipment, providing both comfort and increased functionality to hospital patients. The increase in the sophistication of these beds has presented some interesting challenges to those charged with repairing this equipment. This article will discuss what these unique challenges are and how to overcome them.

When most medical equipment fails, it can be taken out of service and conveniently repaired at a workbench.  However, when a medical bed fails, there exist an inconvenience on several levels. For one, if a hospital patient is in a malfunctioning bed, the patient has to be moved in order to assess the problem and complete the repair. Secondly, when a hospital bed fails it takes up costly hospital real estate. One less bed can mean one less available room to offer patients. Even if a loaner bed is used to replace the faulty bed temporarily, the faulty bed has to be stored or moved somewhere. If your facility has a bad week with many bed failures, this can present a real problem in a hurry.

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Another challenge with medical bed repairs is finding a cost-effective repair option. It comes as no surprise that on-site service or service contracts from an OEM are very expensive. One of the best options available to the Biomedical Engineering Department is to participate in a parts exchange program. With such a program, if you can isolate the problem to an electronic board or motor, you can receive an exchange part very quickly and at a much lower price than an OEM part. By implementing such a service, you can save your hospital precious time and money.

Hospital Bed Repair - Tips to Save Time and Money

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