maintenance schedule/system. whats yours?

[Guest]

hello, in the centre where i work we have a new maintenance schedule/system. i hate it i think its ridiculous, it goes as follows we have 4 mechanics and me a relief mechanic for those who take holidays or who are sick etc. i also do weekends. now what they think is a good idea, is to assign each mechanic 8 lanes. the reason i find this a bad idea is because if a part breaks and its not one of there lanes they wont fix it they'll just leave it and i quote this is what one of our mechanics said on a change over he was on after me on a weekend and that lane was needed "its not my lane so im not fixing it", so that lane is out until the mechanic which is assigned to that lane comes in and sorts it. now we've had that lane out since friday night, i have tried to sort it (its a distributor) so ive adjusted a lot of things such as excentric bearings, clutch, trip rod, pan etc it got better but it still isnt sorted. and the mechanic who is assigned to that lane isnt in until tommorrow (wednesday) 5 days that lanes been out now. we never had a system if a lane went out the mechanic on duty got it sorted and that was it end of.

now what do you think to that system?
what do you do in your centre?
ill be interested in hearing your views on this, if you have any questions if something doesnt make sense then fire away and ill do my best to answer them.
thanks, chris.

[Pietenpol]

Ridiculous IMO, I can see making people responsible for preventative maintenance on specific machines but when it's broke it needs to be fixed.

[chris93lambert]

exactly my point we have 82-70's so there not the most reliable pinspotters out there. i mean i was doing a shift tonight and 3 stators (barrels) blew on me i was ready for killing someone, so i put new ones on but instead of leaving the other stators for who ever is on tomorrow i put new boards in tested them and put them back on the spares bench any one else and they'd be left there. and the machines would be left out too. just 5 minute jobs like that getting left for 2-3 days. it furiates me.
pietenpol, whats your system, if you have one?

[Pietenpol]

Not really a system. 2 of the centers I work at I take care of the major work. Chasers at night do what they need to do to keep the machines running. They make adjustments and minor repairs and note anything that needs to be done when the machines aren't being run. My 3rd center I don't have any other mechanics so they have to move anyone if the issue is anything worse than a jam. They only do open bowling tho so it's not too bad for them.

[rivmike]

( QUOTE) so i put new ones on but instead of leaving the other stators for who ever is on tomorrow i put new boards in tested them and put them back on the spares bench any one else and they'd be left there. and the machines would be left out too. just 5 minute jobs like that getting left for 2-3 days. it furiates me.

Chris, if this is the case then I would hide the fixed motors for my lanes. LOL This sounds rediculous!! JMO When a machine is down the company is losing money, everyone is paid by the company.

[Tablejam]

These machines are very reliable if they are maintained right.

That system is totally asinine and ridiculous, will cause the center to lose money, and cause inconvenience to the customers.

All of us at my center are assigned tasks we each do but EVERYBODY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING EVERY MACHINE RUNNING PROPERLY! It is extremely rare that we have to leave a machine down for an extended amount of time let alone overnight. It is utter and complete nonsense that a machine can't be fixed because the person it is assigned to is off for two days- UTTERLY RIDICULOUS AND ASININE!

Running things this way will benefit nobody and only cause problems.

[scotto7]

im with all of you on this doing maintance on the machines is assigned to each mechanic to get it done but when you are on shift you are responsible for all the machines and keeping them running

[Disturbed1]

We had a system like that but only for cleaning and lubing, and that was ineffective. But to have machines that only one person looks after and have machines out is just ludicrous.

[Tablejam]

So how many different ways can we all come up with to describe how wrong this is?

[chris93lambert]

exactly my point. we used to just repair which ever lane whenever it went down and if it was major then who ever was on the next day (thats if it was late when it broke) would sort it no matter what lane it was. things where so much easier, so much quicker and cheaper.
rivmike- thats another point too the company is losing money. and lots of it. im not gonna show figures because i dont think im allowed to. and also im not assigned to any lanes im olny a relief mechanic i cover for those on holiday/sick whatever. but i know for a fact ill be full time eventually. i just wanted to hear what every one thinks of this "system"

and tablejam- i know some of our machines ive not had a shout to for at least 3-4 months. but the shouts we have are minor like random pile ups (pin jams) ball jams from league bowlers thats all really oh and off spots but were getting offspot switches. another thing table jam you are absolutly bang on the money there with the first reply you put there.

im glad you all think its ridiculous because i must be honest i might show this to the cheif mechanic who's idea this was and hope fully get rid of this stupid "system"
i would like to hear more views on this so called "system"
thanks for the replies guys (Y)

[Tablejam]

The mechanics are there to keep the machines, ALL of them, running. When a machine cannot run it cannot make money (DUH!). Making money is the bottom line and what pays everyones checks. So, if lane 8 is assigned to person X who is off for two days and suddenly breaks a cup its down until that person gets back. Meanwhile the center happens to be very busy those two days needing all the lanes yet can't use lane 8 for two maybe 3 days, LOSING ALL POSSIBLE REVENUE THAT LANE PLUS ANY ADDITIONAL FOOD AND BEVERAGE SALES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN MADE.

So I ask, how is that any good?

And are the machines being maintained and running well- is this system working?

Clearly it is not!

[chris93lambert]

Exactly i know thats how i see it. Before we had to maintain one lane per day checking every nut and bolt no matter what this was a while ago now. And ever since this systems been going its gone belly up. And they dont care unless its one of there lanes.

[pinfeed]

i might show this to the cheif mechanic who's idea this was and hope fully get rid of this stupid "system'
(Y)

So does this mean the chief mechanic only has to maintain 8 machines as well???...I think I'm seeing why your "system" was implamented...

You may need step on a few toes and go higher up with your concerns.

[keeth]

So if the person with the worst performing 8 was shown the door first that could mean even more work for the chief. This really seems silly me.

[chris93lambert]

Yep! It sure is silly. They really havent thought it through to be honest.