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Cleaning in a garage / a car and utility vehicle workshop
Cleaning cars in a garage / work shop: Brakes, engine, engine compartments, clutch, gear box....
REQUIREMENTS
When repairing cars, individual parts are increasingly being replaced instead of repaired. In many cases, however, such as with vintage cars, expensive models or expensive elements, individual parts are still repaired today and then normally cleaned beforehand.
The usual road dirt has to be cleaned off, as well as, depending on the individual part, abrasion, oil residues and used oil, as well as grease and fat residues.
In view of the high personnel costs, there is only one really relevant requirement in practice: it must be done quickly in order to keep costs low.
PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE
Depending on the specific application, high-pressure cleaners, cold or bio-wash tables, or brake cleaner spray (A1 spray) are normally used. In most cases, the respective parts have to be disassembled and transported from the lifting platform to the bio- or cold-wash table or directly to a cleaning room and cleaned there.
These methods all have their challenges:
- A1 sprays release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) resp. aerosols, which ultimately enter the atmosphere unprotected and unfiltered. Although the dirt is dissolved quickly and efficiently, it ends up 1 to 1 on the workshop floor. And while a single can of A1 spray may well be inexpensive, the costs quickly add up when entire pallets are used in large workshops.
- Cold washstands also release VOCs resp. aerosols that not only enter the atmosphere, but are also inhaled by the employees working at the cold wash table - which is anything but healthy. Moreover, the cost of refilling or replacing the solvents every few months is much higher than one might think.
- Even bio-washtables are ultimately chemical baths in which the bacteria are bred, with corresponding costs for procurement and disposal. Add to this a considerable power consumption as the bath has to be kept at 36°C day and night, 365 days a year.
- Finally, high-pressure cleaners require large amounts of water and possibly chemicals, with corresponding disposal costs, as well as energy. In addition, expensive and capital-intensive washrooms are needed, and employees have to put on special protective suits.
With the exception of A1 sprays, considerable removal and (re)installation times are added in all cases, as well as transport and travel times for transport to the washroom or wash table and back. Ultimately, all methods remain labour-intensive, resource-intensive and thus expensive.
In addition, they are harmful to the environment and entail considerable health risks for the employees and the company.
OUR SOLUTION
In contrast to the methods described above, the hot cleaning devices from ph-cleantec consume very few resources. Parts such as engines and pistons, gearboxes, shafts and axles, brakes or hydraulic parts can often be cleaned directly on the lifting platform - and thus without expensive dismantling and in any case without expensive travel times.
Above all, only a fraction of the time is needed that is needed with other methods - our customers regularly speak of 80-90% saved working time, in addition to travelling and dismantling time saved.
With 7.5 or 14 bar and 95°C, small and large parts - from pistons to entire gear boxes - can be cleaned quickly and efficiently.
Especially greasy and oily contaminations are immediately dissolved by the high temperatures, and the 7.5 or 14 bar are sufficient to remove the contaminations.
With the help of appropriate nozzles, every blind hole and every crevice, and with the help of our lances, every large part can be reached without any problems and cleaned quickly and efficiently.
With the units of our SR series, the contamination is collected in the parts cleaning level of the units, and any cleaning agent can be reused multiple times. Alternatively, process water can also be collected in our dirt water collectors and then reused. This saves resources - i.e. water, waste water and electricity - and reduces procurement and disposal costs.
In addition, no or at most very little chemicals are needed: In the case of particularly stubborn dirt, small quantities of an alkaline cleaner - usually between 1 and 3% - can be added, which can then also be reused multiple times because of the recycling. If necessary, this cleaner can also contain a temporary corrosion protection.
All in all, only a fraction of the chemicals that would otherwise be required are needed. This not only protects the environment, but also the health of the employees, and thus increases occupational safety during operation.
Since the devices are mobile, work can be carried out directly on the vehicle - this eliminates the need for travel time and often even the removal of parts. Similarly, our dirt water collectors can be ideally adapted to any pit size.
However, the versatility of the equipment means that not only parts cleaning can be carried out on site: If necessary, the underbody or the chassis can be cleaned quickly and without damaging the paint or sensitive chrome parts.
YOUR ADVANTAGES
- High temperature - up to 95°C - allows complete and thorough cleaning in a short time, especially of oily and greasy parts.
- Low pressure - from 3 to 7.5 bar or from 3 to 14 bar - is completely sufficient to loosen impurities, but does not cause any damage.
- Significant time saving due to quick and easy cleaning; with various lances and nozzles also in places that are otherwise difficult to access.
- Cleaning is often possible without dismantling the parts - this saves significant working time and money.
- Resource-saving: Considerably less water and chemicals than comparable methods; therefore lower procurement, storage and disposal costs.
- At the same time, the method is environmentally friendly and protects health in accordance with the requirements of the (German) Employer's Liability Insurance Association (BGR 157).
- Especially in brake cleaning, collection of harmful brake dusts, and fulfilment of wet cleaning requirements.
- Economics: Low investment for hot cleaning equipment and low operating costs - usually significantly lower than those of competitors after 2 years; plus signifcant savings on working time for cleaning and dismantling, as well as on chemicals
- Further advantages:
- Universally applicable - from parts cleaning to underbody cleaning to cleaning the chassis
- Low space requirement, no expensive installations
- Mobile - hot cleaning unit and hot water tanks are mobile, therefore no travelling time; hot water tanks can be adapted to any pit size.
In summary: Considerably less working time, hardly any running costs, low investment, more work safety, and better environmental compatibility.
CLEANING CARS AND TRUCKS IN A WORK SHOP
Cleaning utility vehicles in a work shop: Trucks, busses, public transport, agricultural machinery
REQUIREMENTS
When repairing passenger cars, individual parts are increasingly being replaced instead of repaired. In commercial vehicles such as public transport buses, trucks and agricultural machinery, on the other hand, the engine, engine compartment, drum or disc brakes, clutch and gearbox, hydraulic parts, etc. are actually still repaired and therefore also cleaned. Given the sheer size of some parts, this is often no easy task.
In addition to road dirt on road vehicles and sludge and soil on agricultural machinery, abrasion, oil residues and used oils, lubricating grease and grease residues, often mixed with chips or dust from the respective use, have to be cleaned.
In view of the high personnel costs, there is only one really relevant requirement in practice: Cleaning has to be done in a minimum of time.
Nevertheless, the minimum legal requirements in terms of environmental protection and occupational safety must also be met.
PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE
Depending on the specific application, high-pressure cleaners (HDR), cold or bio-wash tables, or brake cleaner spray (A1 spray) are usually used. In most cases, the parts have to be disassembled and transported from the lifting platform to the bio or cold wash table or directly to a cleaning room for cleaning.
These methods are all problematic:
- A1 sprays release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or aerosols, which ultimately enter the atmosphere unprotected and unfiltered. Although the dirt is dissolved quickly and efficiently, it ends up 1 to 1 on the workshop floor. And while a single can of A1 spray may well be inexpensive, the costs quickly add up when entire pallets are used in large workshops.
- Cold washbasins also release VOCs or aerosols, which not only enter the atmosphere, but are also inhaled by the staff working at the KWT - which is anything but healthy. Moreover, the cost of refilling or replacing the solvents every few months is much higher than one might think.
- Even bio-wash tables are ultimately chemical baths in which the bacteria are cultivated, with corresponding costs for procurement and disposal. In addition, there is a considerable consumption of electricity, as the nutrient solution has to be kept at 36°C day and night, 365 days a year.
- Finally, high-pressure cleaners require considerable amounts of water and/or chemicals, with corresponding disposal costs, as well as energy. In addition, expensive and capital-intensive washrooms are needed, and the employees have to work in special protective suits.
With the exception of A1 sprays, considerable removal and reinstallation times need to be added in all cases, as well as transport and travel times for transport to the washroom or washstand and back.
Ultimately, all methods remain labour-intensive, resource-intensive and consequently expensive.
In addition, they are harmful to the environment and entail considerable health risks for the employees and thus for the company.
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Brake cleaning directly at the lifting platform - bus for public transport - saves time and money -
Brake cleaning at the pit - truck with dirt water collector
OUR SOLUTION
In contrast to the methods described above, the hot cleaning devices from ph-cleantec consume very few resources. Parts such as engines and pistons, gearboxes, shafts and axles, brakes or hydraulic parts can often be cleaned directly on the lifting platform - and thus without expensive dismantling and in any case without expensive travel times. Above all, only a fraction of the time is needed that is needed with other methods - our customers regularly speak of 80-90% saved working time, in addition to the travelling and disassembly time saved.
With 7.5 or 14 bar and 95°C, small and large parts - from pistons to entire gears - can be cleaned quickly and efficiently.
Especially greasy and oily contaminations are immediately dissolved by the high temperatures, and the 7.5 or 14 bar are sufficient to remove the contaminations.
With the help of appropriate nozzles, every blind hole and every crevice, and with the help of our lances, every large part can be reached without any problems and cleaned quickly and efficiently.
With the units of our SR series, the contamination is collected in the parts cleaning level of the units, and the cleaning agent can be reused multiple times. Alternatively, process water can also be collected in our waste water collectors and then reused. This saves resources - water, waste water and electricity.
In addition, no or at most very few chemicals are needed: In the case of particularly stubborn contamination, small quantities of an alkaline cleaner - usually between 1 and 3% - can be added, which can then be reused multiple times because of the recycling process. If necessary, this cleaner can also contain a temporary corrosion protection.
All in all, only a fraction of the chemicals that would otherwise be required are needed. This not only protects the environment, but also the health of the employees, and thus increases occupational safety during operation.
Since the devices are mobile, work can be carried out directly on the vehicle - this eliminates the need for travel time and often even the removal of parts. At the same time, our collectors can be ideally adapted to any pit size.
YOUR ADVANTAGES
- High temperature - up to 95°C - allows complete and thorough cleaning in a minimum of time, especially of oily and greasy parts.
- Low pressure - from 3 to 7.5 bar or from 3 to 14 bar - is completely sufficient to loosen impurities, but does not cause any damage.
- Significant time saving due to quick and easy cleaning; due to various lances and nozzles also in places that are otherwise difficult to access. Cleaning is often possible without dismantling the parts - this also saves time and money.
- Resource-saving: Considerably less water and chemicals than comparable methods; therefore lower procurement, storage and disposal costs, and no fire hazard.
- At the same time, method is environmentally friendly and protects health in accordance with the requirements of the (German) Employer's Liability Insurance Association (BGR 157).
- Optimum cleaning and collection of harmful brake dust, especially when cleaning brakes, and wet cleaning in accordance with regulations.
- Investments for hot cleaning equipment are usually significantly lower than those of competitors.
- Further advantages:
- Universal application - also for cleaning other parts or components.
- Low space requirement, no expensive installations
- Mobile - hot cleaning device and hot water collectors are mobile, therefore no travelling time; hot water collectors can be adapted to any pit size.
In summary: SIgnificantly less working time, hardly any operating costs, low investment, more safety at work, and better environmental compatibility.
CLEANING CARS AND TRUCKS IN A WORK SHOP
Cleaning agricultural machinery
A video says more than 1000 words... See also above: Cleaning utility vehicles
Coolant recycling for trucks and busses
REQUIREMENTS
Dealing with coolants is a real problem in truck workshops in terms of both handling and disposal. When repairing the cooling circuit of commercial vehicles - buses, trucks, agricultural machinery - the coolant usually has to be drained off. The coolant is almost always disposed of afterwards.
In view of the cost of fresh coolant and the considerable quantities needed in the commercial vehicle sector, this is particularly annoying if the coolant has only just been replaced and is still "fresh".
This is all the more true because the requirements for the purity and quality of coolants have increased considerably in recent years and due to new engine generations, and coolant should therefore not be wasted "just like that" for cost and environmental reasons.
OUR SOLUTION
Our coolant recycling collectors bring decisive advantages to the user: After the simple collection of the coolant liquid, the collector allows for easy transport and intermediate storage of the liquid. With integrated filter technology and a reloading pump, the coolant is cleaned of solids during the unmanned backfilling process. A high proportion of the coolant can thus be reused, which, in addition to the tangible economic benefits, also means a reduction in the burden on the environment.
With the 1000 KW-FK collector, up to 90 litres of fresh coolant can be collected and recycled: The coolant is collected in the collector, temporarily stored and, after repair, filtered with 25 µm and pumped back into the vehicle's cooling system. In the process, a height difference of up to 4 m can be overcome and 70-80 litres of the coolant can be reused.
This is not only environmentally friendly and resource-saving, but also offers the opportunity to save considerable costs.:
- Instead of 90 litres of coolant, only 10-20 litres need to be refilled: This alone saves a good €250 per use.
- In addition, the manual filling of 90 litres of coolant takes some 20-25 minutes in practice; in contrast, when using the KW-FK collector, all that is needed is to hang the return hose in the filler neck for the coolant and press the switch. With the aid of a pump and a 25 µm fine filter, the coolant is filtered and pumped up to the filler neck; the actual filling is unmanned.
In plain old English, this means that the collector pays for itself after 6-8 uses.
YOUR ADVANTAGES
- Easy draining of the coolant liquid.
- Optimum intermediate storage and easy transport even of the filled collector thanks to built-in slosh brake.
- Cleaning of the coolant with 25 µm fine filter.
- Controllable, unmanned filling via pump, up to 4 m high.
- Low height of the collector (21 cm) allows to easily drive the collector underneath the vehicle; alternatively, the collector can be used in the pit and adapted to (almost) any pit size.
- Environmental protection: No waste of expensive and environmentally harmful chemicals.
- Economic efficiency: Investment usually pays off after 6-8 uses.
COOLANT RECYCLING
Cleaning soot filters in fork lifts
REQUIREMENTS
Diesel-powered forklift trucks have soot filters to minimise the emission of respirable carbon (soot) in the factory hall, which are mounted at the end of the exhaust systems. These protect the employees from soot particles in their respiratory tracts, and at the same time also serve the environment and cleanliness in production.
The soot filters should ideally be cleaned in the forklift workshop. A high flushing performance is required right into the fine filter mesh.
Given the high cost of these filters, replacement is often not practical. Typically, the soot filters are therefore cleaned with a lot of chemicals on cold wash tables and then blown off with compressed air. Better, but also considerably more expensive, would be burning off in appropriate combustion chambers.
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Soot filter, uncleaned
OUR SOLUTION
The low-pressure hot cleaning units of the 1000 series are an ideal and cost-effective solution: With a low pressure of only 7.5 bar, the required flushing performance is ensured without damaging or even destroying sensitive components such as the filter fabric. At the same time, the high temperatures of 95°C achieve a maximum cleaning effect, so that work can be done quickly and efficiently.
- Fast and efficient work - considerable time savings and significantly better quality compared to manual cleaning on a cold wash table.
- Nonetheless, excellent cleaning results due to high temperature of up to 95°C.
- No damage to sensitive parts due to low pressure of 3 - 7.5 bar.
- Low investment, low opeating costs.
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Soot filter, after cleaning and polishing of brass cage with polishing linen
YOUR ADVANTAGES
- Efficiency/quality: High temperature and sufficient pressure enable fast and throrough cleaning in minutes. Significant time savings as a result.
- Minimal space requirement: Devices are self-sufficient and require very little space; no separate washrooms needed.
- Minimal splash-back effects, no clouds of droplets, no aerosols, thus ideal in the workshop.
- Devices can be used universally, and are ideal for cleaning all types of parts.
- Cleaning medium: Hot water without additives or with minimal addition of chemicals. Therefore minimal costs for procurement and disposal. Cleaning medium can be reused mutilple times.
- Considerably more pleasant, faster and more efficient work than by hand.
- Occupational safety and environmental protection: No chemicals means improved environmental compatibility, higher occupational safety and significantly lower costs.
- In summary: Very low investment, minimal space requirements, hardly any operating costs, combined with high efficiency and excellent quality.
Cleaning fork lift batteries
REQUIREMENTS
- Cleaning of the battery surface as well as side walls
- Mobile system, as cleaning may not only be carried out in the repair workshop - forklift trucks are widely used in most company premises
YOUR ADVANTAGES
- No special environmental conditions as with high pressure cleaners
- Mobile
- Much lower water consumption and significantly lower disposal costs
- Safeguards health, protects the environment, promotes motivation
- Cleaning also possible in difficult-to-access corners and without water splashing back
Cleaning cars in an (underground) parking garage
REQUIREMENTS
In the parking garages of many city centres, a new service is being offered more and more often: Hand-washing cars while He or She is shopping.
The providers of this service face a variety of challenges. One of them is to clean as much car as possible with as little water as possible, because especially in closed underground car parks water disposal is a problem. Another challenge is managing the personnel costs and thus the working time required per car cleaning.
OUR SOLUTION
Here, the low-pressure hot cleaning units of the 1000 series in particular offer an ideal solution:
- Fast and efficient work - considerable time saving and significantly better quality compared to manual cleaning.
- Nevertheless excellent cleaning results due to high temperature of up to 95°C
- Thanks to various nozzles and lances, ease to clean areas that are difficult to access, such as the inside of the rims and the edges of the underbody; with a suitable pit, it would of course also be possible to clean the entire underbody without any problems.
- No damage to paintwork, chrome or other sensitive parts due to low pressure of 3 - 7.5 bar
- Minimal water consumption: Up to 1.8 litres/minute
- Low investment, low operating costs, no or very few chemicals
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Vehicle cleaning in underground car park with 1000 SRK rear left
YOUR ADVANTAGES
- Efficiency/quality: Significant time savings with fast and thorough cleaning:
- High temperature and sufficient pressure enable fast and complete cleaning in just a few minutes, including oily and greasy contamination.
- Thanks to various lances and nozzles, efficient cleaning is possible even of areas that are difficult to access, e.g. the inside of the rims, the edges of the underbody, etc.
- No damage to paintwork, chrome, or other sensitive parts.
- Optimum accessibility, hardly any space required: Devices and collectors are mobile and self-sufficient, and take up very little space; no separate washrooms required.
- Minimal splash-back effects, no clouds of droplets, no aerosols, thus ideal for underground garages.
- Cleaning medium: Hot water without added chemicals. Minimal costs for procurement and disposal, process water can be reused multiple times.
- Considerably more pleasant, faster and more efficient work than by hand.
- Occupational safety and environmental protection: No chemicals means improved environmental compatibility, higher occupational safety and significantly lower costs.
- In summary: Low investment, minimal space requirement, low opearting costs, yet high efficiency and excellent quality.
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Vehicle cleaning in underground car park: minimal water consumption with low-pressure hot cleaning
Cleaning agricultural machinery
Cleaning racing karts and kart parts
REQUIREMENTS
Racing karts are cleaned and maintained after every race to keep their service life and readiness for use at the highest level.
In the specific case, the engine and brake components of the racing karts had to be cleaned. In addition, oily and sooty residues on sensitive mechanical and electronic parts had to be removed.
PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE
Previously, the parts had been cleaned with high-pressure cleaners, which repeatedly led to damage. In addition, the cleaning results were often so poor that the parts had to be reworked by hand, which was time-consuming and costly.
In addition, considerable amounts of chemicals (A1 brake cleaner or cold wash table) were used for manual re-cleaning, which was costly in the long run as well as harmful to the health of staff members and the environment.
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Built-in kart motor with drive chain -
Parts of racing kart - motor with gear drive, view from the side -
Parts of racing kart - gear wheel, from above
OUR SOLUTION
The low-pressure hot cleaning units of the 1000 series were the ideal and cost-effective solution here: with a low pressure of only 7.5 bar, contamination is removed without damaging sensitive components. At the same time, the high temperatures of 95°C achieve a maximum cleaning effect, so that cleaning can be carried out quickly and efficiently.
- Fast and efficient work - considerable time savings and significantly better quality compared to manual cleaning on a cold wash table or with a high-pressure cleaner.
- Excellent cleaning results due to high temperature of up to 95°C.
- No damage to sensitive parts due to low pressure of 3 - 7.5 bar
- No, at most very little chemicals
- To summarize: Low investment, no separate washrooms, low operating costs
YOUR ADVANTAGES
- Efficiency/quality: Significant time savings with fast and thorough cleaning:
- High temperature and sufficient pressure enable fast and complete cleaning in just a few minutes.
- Ideal accessibility even to hard-to-reach places due to various lances and nozzles.
- No damage to sensitive parts, such as the aluminium fin coolers.
- Devices are mobile and self-sufficient, and take up very little space; no separate washrooms required; cleaning directly at the kart or in the workshop.
- Minimal splash-back effects, no clouds of droplets, no aerosols, thus ideal for use in the workshop.
- No solvents or VOCs (volatile organic compounds): Cleaning medium is hot water with no or minimal addition of alkaline cleaners. Cleaning medium can be reused multiple times due to special recycling system.
- Therefore, minimal costs for procurement and disposal, as well as being gentle on health and the environment.
- Considerably more pleasant, faster and more efficient work than by hand.
- Devices can be used universally, and are ideal for parts cleaning of all kinds.
- Occupational safety and environmental protection: No chemicals means improved environmental compatibility, improved occupational safety and significantly lower costs.
- In summary: Low investment, hardly any space requirements, minimal operating costs, but high efficiency, first-class cleaning quality and a wide range of applications.
Recommendations by Car Manufacturers
The company ph-cleantec (formerly Schickert) developed the process of low-pressure hot cleaning in the mid-1980s to protect brake maintenance personnel from dangerous brake dusts containing asbestos. Since then, our technology has been unreservedly recommended by most German and some foreign car manufacturers. Details upon request.
Article Major fire caused by brake cleaners
This article is only available in German. If you are interested it can be downloaded here.