Field Service Technician Thread

[Holt]

I've contemplated if I should make this thread for a while now as I'm not sure if if this thread will last or not but hear it goes. I would like this thread to be a place where we can discuss the tools needed as a field service technician or even for people who make frequent junk yard trips. While I would love to carry a full size or even a small tool box in my work van and have a large assortment of tool to help me in any situation I come across the reality is I can't. I have 1 mobile pouch I go into customers home with and another that hold my extra tools not currently needed at that job. All other space in the van is consumed by the materials I need to do my job on a day to day basis. Many tools end up preforming double duty for some reason or another. As I see it there are a lot of similarities between working in a field and working in a garage but there is also a big difference. We all have different needs based on your career but one this is the same. Our vehicle is our office, lunch room,storage room,parts, and sometimes the bathroom.

My biggest Issue working in the field is a balance between what i need to carry for tools in my pouch and weight. I use to have a tool bag and after 4 years realized it was to cumbersome to always carry. I made the switch to a tool pouch and never looked back. Sure I have to make more trips to my van but at the end of the day my back thanks me. I currently carry a Dead on Electricians bag. Best bag style I have found yet but the quality is not there like I would like. I have been thinking about ripping the guts out and have the wife sew some custom insert pocket to my liking.

So please feel free to come in and post your Field career and issues you have. I am currently a Cable/Phone/Date installer and troubleshooter. On a average job I could be a variation of places at one house ranging from in a customers basement to being 25 feet in the air on a utility pole while its down poring rain and I could do this 10 times a day. But I wouldn't trade if for a office job anyday

 

[jeffmoss26]

Holt, is that you from ET and Cabletechs?

 

[Holt]

Holt, is that you from ET and Cabletechs?

Yes it is

 

[shoturtle]

Simple answer, CLC backpack, It will hold a wide assortment of hand tool, a 15inch laptop, and all the cables and connector you need.

 

[hammlm]

It's been a while since I strapped on a tool belt professionally, but I worked as an electrican and then later as a "cable tech", and I loved the quality of Klein 5167 pouch.

The old ones didn't have the "tape thong" on the front, but a leather holster for a small tape measure. I put my progressive tone generator in there; worked a treat.

 

[240sxguy]

I service commercial mailing equipment and carried a bigass heavy toolbox everywhere. The backpack sounds awesome. I am currently on site so I am spoiled by having everything right here at my fingertips for now.

 

[jegg]

Instrumentation Technician/Autoclave Mechanic here...

CLC bags and accessories are great! I have a roll up that I use to hold most of my necessary tools and use a CLC bag, Fluke Multimeter. I only cover our campus and am responsible for various equipment. So, I'm out and about most of the time but on a smaller scale. I can do most trouble calls with just the roll up. For Preventive Maintenance (PM) work... I'll need everything I carry in my bag.

I'd be interested what others use...

Great thread topic!



I'll take pics of what I use tomorrow.

 

[bobcatdan]

As my name implies, I'm a road tech for a bobcat dealer. I have a F350 with an enclosed service body. 95% of the tools I use are in an eight drawer craftsman top and three drawer middle box. I keep other common used tools in the mid side compartment. Inside the truck is a five drawer bottom filled with what if tools. I next to never use them, but are handy when I do. My road tools are trimmed as lean as possiable. I only have impact sockets. Only normal combo wrenches plus 4 way angle wrenches. No stubbies or ratcheting. I use a cordless impact for anything I can. Crowsfeet are the handiest thing to have making other style of wrenchs pointless. I keep other hand tools to only what I really need. I have over time removed more tools then I have added. I have been on the road for three years now and am to the point if I havn't needed it, I don't need it. My shop box is bloated with ever tool under the sun and my roadbox just goes to show how much **** I guy can have that he doesn't need. I really could do my job with the amount of tools that fit in a smaller 26" combo, not the amount that will max out a krl1022.

 

[PushnFords]

I've done mobile mechanic work on the side for several years and ended up having to buy tools several times to get a job done...tools I had at home but too far to drive back for. I ended up buying a '73 Chevy 1/2T utility truck for $300 and made this:

The air compressor was a $75 Craigslist find hooked to a free tank with tractor hydraulic hose from the farm supply store. I ended up rebuilding a 5HP B&S after the first one blew up. It won't quite keep up with some air tools but I used it as my only compressor (at home too) for several years. My main problem is the trailer weighs almost 4,000 lbs so I don't go very fast with it. After selling the engine and the rest of the truck fro scrap metal I probably have $400-450 in it after buying good tires. If I can't take the trailer I throw a bunch of tools in a big open plastic tote.

 

[shoturtle]

This is my clc backpack on the occasion I need to go out to help guys out.

 

[shoturtle]

And here are the last 2 photos from the last zipper slot. As you can see I do not have the whole bag fill, I could put allot more stuff in there.

 

[KCarGuy]

I have a Soft Tool Bag that I carry into every call, then a Hard Plastic (looks like a Military case) Case with fold out inserts for More Involved Service Calls.
And several Other plastic cases for different types of Equipment.
Depending on what Machine of ours that the Customer has, that depends on what case of Tools I will grab out of my Van.
One of the reasons that I use a Dodge Grand Caravan is the Stow-n-go...as long as my seats are up, there is a perfect spot to keep the 4 specialty tool boxes...under the floor and out of the way.
I carry alot of duplicat tools, but that fine...its a Great system that has worked for me for the past 22 years.

 

[Kev442]

I have a large laptop computer duffel for my technical calls and a hardcase tool kit for mechanical work. The only other tool in my van is a Metric gearwrench set with sockets and adapters that I rarely need. My case is the one on the left and it holds plenty of tools, lubes and cleaning supplies. Weighs about 50 lbs but I'm used to it after 25 years.

 

[crewchief888]

like bobcatdan mentioned,
i'm also a field service mechanic, working on const eq. most of the time i can get my service truck close enough to where i'm working, i dont have to carry many tools.
i keep a small mac mechanics bag in my truck, in case i have to walk very far. quite a few calls we get are "unknown" problems, involves parking the truck and a short walk to check things out.
i have a pretty good relationship with most of my customers, i've been with this dealership 14 years, was the service manager for a while, and been in the field for 8 years.
if i can repair the problem most of my customers are pretty good getting vehicles or **** moved out of my way or dragging machines out to where i can get closer.
i tell them all, the closer my truck is to the machine, the less walking i have to do, me and my knees will appreciate it, and the less time it'll take.
time is money, even to a large contractor, i've even had superintendants hauling tools and parts, so i dont have to.
i've lugged tools, starters, batteries up flights of stairs when the elevator was out of order, walked through parking garages, up and down ramps lugging stuff.

most of the time i can do whatever i need to do with a handfull of tools, but there are those times when it seem like i'm dragging my service truck along for the walk.

 

[pdizzleinmt]

i do all the field work for the shop i work at and can usually get everything i need into this snap on box

i only need to carry sae tools. dont need much metric working on bobcats.

 

[Holt]

Good to see there are a lot more field service techs on here then I thought. Glad to see this thread is off to a good start. I will have to get a pic of my bag and post it.

 

[crewchief888]

i do all the field work for the shop i work at and can usually get everything i need into this snap on box
i only need to carry sae tools. dont need much metric working on bobcats.

i dont do much in the shop, and when i go, i back my truck inside.

i sure as hell aint lugging tools in and out of my own shop.
i probably carry a lot more tools than most do, but if i run into a problem, break off a bolt, or have somethin thats really mangled, i have the tools i need in the truck.

next compartment back in the truck has elec stuff, 3/4" dr sockets, drills, taps, bushing & seal drivers, rad tester, 1/4" dr stuff, temp gun, a/c guages, vacuum pump, digital a/c thermometer, ball joint kit.

 

[pdizzleinmt]

We dont have a full service body on our service truck so i am kind of limited on what i can carry. I also dont go out everyday so i only load up on those days. Probably only 1 or 2 days a week usually

 

[crewchief888]

We dont have a full service body on our service truck so i am kind of limited on what i can carry. I also dont go out everyday so i only load up on those days. Probably only 1 or 2 days a week usually

it's rare that i have a day without any calls. if i do i service and wash my truck, clean up, help answer phones
a normal day is 3-5 stops, 9-10 hrs, if i leave from home and head out, it's usually a longer day, i run the call farthest away, and work my way back home. days i have to go to the shop 1st, i actually loose time, and dont get as much done. my day dont start until i leave the shop
i cover a large area, east to west @ highway speeds can take 2 1/2 hrs. north to south could be 2 hrs depending on traffic, some of that traffic is in chicago

 

[pdizzleinmt]

We dont have a full service body on our service truck so i am kind of limited on what i can carry. I also dont go out everyday so i only load up on those days. Probably only 1 or 2 days a week usually

<br />
<br />
it's rare that i have a day <u>without</u> any calls. if i do i service and wash my truck, clean up, help answer phones<br />
a normal day is 3-5 stops, 9-10 hrs, if i leave from home and head out, it's usually a longer day, i run the call farthest away, and work my way back home. days i have to go to the shop 1st, i actually loose time, and dont get as much done. my day dont start until i leave the shop <br />
i cover a large area, east to west @ highway speeds can take 2 1/2 hrs. north to south could be 2 hrs depending on traffic, some of that traffic is in chicago<br />
<br />

I wish i could be in the truck every day but my boss doesnt seem to like that idea for what ever reason. Most of my calls are atleast 50 miles away usually. I have 2 stops tomorrow that are 90 away.

 

[Steve from Socal]

I have dabbled in machine repairs for a number of years, my little tool bag has most of what I need for a multitude of jobs. This is one of the last US made versions of these bags, probbally never be able to find a replacement!

Steve

 

[shoturtle]

Nope, the newer version is made of nylon, and from asia. I used one for tools I rarely use for field work.

 

[Steve from Socal]

Nope, the newer version is made of nylon, and from asia. I used one for tools I rarely use for field work.

Well,

Field work is anything from replacing a relay to rebuilding a spindle, my multimeter nests on top of that stuff. I do electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic and mechanical work. The average machine is the size of a two car garage so ALL my work is in the field!

Steve

 

[shoturtle]

I like that design for a bag, it does hold larger tools well in a compact package.

 

[bts]

This what I use to run.
Tools on this side. Welder, grinders, oxy set and heap of other stuff on the other.
Between the boxes was a generator and small air compressor.

I miss being on the road.

 

[Holt]

Shoturtle what is you career? Hard to tell by the tools in the clc bag but I think I spotted a pair of rj45 rj11 crimpers.

 

[purplezr2]

i do all the field work for the shop i work at and can usually get everything i need into this snap on box

i only need to carry sae tools. dont need much metric working on bobcats.

Must not work on their Mini excavators as those are completely metric, I worked as an intern in the Mini X division.

 

[bobcatdan]

Mini ex and toolcats are a hodge pod of standard and metric. For those, 90% of those are small and 1/4" normally handles any metric bolts. For the most part, if you have a 9/16" wrench, you can damn near do anything on any bobcat product besides the stupid tractors. Other then the engines, there isn't **** on a skid steer that is metric. Other then fuel filters, I never have to do anything to a kubota engine.

 

[pdizzleinmt]

Must not work on their Mini excavators as those are completely metric, I worked as an intern in the Mini X division.

I only carry metric if i have to work on mini exs or tractors and toolcats.

 

[crewchief888]

I wish i could be in the truck every day but my boss doesnt seem to like that idea for what ever reason. Most of my calls are atleast 50 miles away usually. I have 2 stops tomorrow that are 90 away.

hopefull they aint in the opposite direction
i hate when that happens, or the day i pass the same place 3 or 4 times running in circles

i assume you work for a bobcat dealer?

it still amazes me that some dealers wont put out a full time service truck.
IMHO it really seems to be an "old school" way of thinking, and takes up a lot more time, loading and unloading.
the 1st dealership i worked at back in '84 didnt have a full time field service. whoever was available tossed some tools and parts into the back of a ragged chevy luv pu
last (deere const) dealership i worked at we had 6 trucks out of our location. 4 heavy eq service, 1 rental eq service, and 1 lube truck for pm's
the dealer i work for now has multiple locations, and at least 1 full time truck at each location. right now we have 2 trucks that run outta our shop, and adding a 3rd very soon.

 

[dsch]

hopefull they aint in the opposite direction
i hate when that happens, or the day i pass the same place 3 or 4 times running in circles

i assume you work for a bobcat dealer?

it still amazes me that some dealers wont put out a full time service truck.
IMHO it really seems to be an "old school" way of thinking, and takes up a lot more time, loading and unloading.
the 1st dealership i worked at back in '84 didnt have a full time field service. whoever was available tossed some tools and parts into the back of a ragged chevy luv pu
last (deere const) dealership i worked at we had 6 trucks out of our location. 4 heavy eq service, 1 rental eq service, and 1 lube truck for pm's
the dealer i work for now has multiple locations, and at least 1 full time truck at each location. right now we have 2 trucks that run outta our shop, and adding a 3rd very soon.

Plus the fact that a full time field tech that customers can build a relationship with sells a lot of iron in a competitive market.

 

[bobcatdan]

My dealership takes the road truck pretty serious. I"m a rolling parts department, we do inventory on the truck when we do the parts department. It is pretty nice not having to grab parts before I leave for a job. I'm the entire service department for one branch and the road tech for another.

 

[Full Throttle]

I have a 10 drawer bottom box up against the bulkhead in my van, and several hand bags and backpacks. Even though I am in the HVAC service business I do work Industrial. Chillers and giant air cmpressors with centrifugal compressors, screw, and reciprocating, I am constantly doing an overhaul, or teardown for failure inspection. Plus I have torch set, refrigerant service tools. I use nitrogen to run air tools, as I don't have room to hold a compressor with air requirements, and it doesn't last long most of my stuff is all done by hand or batt operated impact's. I'll get some pics soon

 

[crewchief888]

Plus the fact that a full time field tech that customers can build a relationship with sells a lot of iron in a competitive market.

this is sooooo true.

i've been dealig with the same customers since '04. if i'm off and someone else fills in for me, i usually hear about it the next time i see that customer, and have several customers that will hold off on a call until i return.

 

[pdizzleinmt]

hopefull they aint in the opposite direction
i hate when that happens, or the day i pass the same place 3 or 4 times running in circles

i assume you work for a bobcat dealer?

it still amazes me that some dealers wont put out a full time service truck.
IMHO it really seems to be an "old school" way of thinking, and takes up a lot more time, loading and unloading.
the 1st dealership i worked at back in '84 didnt have a full time field service. whoever was available tossed some tools and parts into the back of a ragged chevy luv pu
last (deere const) dealership i worked at we had 6 trucks out of our location. 4 heavy eq service, 1 rental eq service, and 1 lube truck for pm's
the dealer i work for now has multiple locations, and at least 1 full time truck at each location. right now we have 2 trucks that run outta our shop, and adding a 3rd very soon.

ya they were in the same town. yes i do work for a bobcat dealer. it would be nice if we had a full service truck to go out with everyday. im sure i could stay busy atleast 4 days a week in the truck. thats kind of how it works at our store is load up the truck on the flatbed and in the boxes and head out. its kind of irritating that they always make me haul a trailer it makes getting into some places and turning around kind of difficult

 

[crewchief888]

ya they were in the same town. yes i do work for a bobcat dealer. it would be nice if we had a full service truck to go out with everyday. im sure i could stay busy atleast 4 days a week in the truck. thats kind of how it works at our store is load up the truck on the flatbed and in the boxes and head out. its kind of irritating that they always make me haul a trailer it makes getting into some places and turning around kind of difficult

only time i have a trailer behind my truck is when i'm borrowing one for personal use.
if a machine has to come to the shop for repairs, all the salesmen have trailers, w we also run a lowboy w/winch, or the cust can arrange their own transport.
around here, depending on what state you're in, if you're driving a commercial vehicle, with a trailer behind it, you have to have a CDL.
i've never been busted for it, but we've had a couple salesmen have issues when involved in a crash.

 

[pdizzleinmt]

only time i have a trailer behind my truck is when i'm borrowing one for personal use.
if a machine has to come to the shop for repairs, all the salesmen have trailers, w we also run a lowboy w/winch, or the cust can arrange their own transport.
around here, depending on what state you're in, if you're driving a commercial vehicle, with a trailer behind it, you have to have a CDL.
i've never been busted for it, but we've had a couple salesmen have issues when involved in a crash.

Ya if i have to go out and work on a machine i am not going to plan on bringing it back to the shop. Sometimes i have to do deliveries on the way but thats only 1 out of 10 calls i go on

 

[countryroad82]

I drive an Astro van utilty body that has metal shelves along the sides packed full of my junk. I keep most things in 'kits' electrical in one box, cutting/ scrapers in another, and so on. I have a Tractor Supply 41" box bolted behind my seats that has all my hand tools stowed away. I keep a couple empty bags for my hand tools if I have to walk inside. Currently I am packing a gas air compressor in the back because it is lawn mower time and I have to service them all. ***** hauling that ba$tard around because I have to keep my windows down all the time and when I fire it up I open all the doors to keep it vented. I installed floor plates a few years back to strap stuff like that down by welding angle under the floor to spread the load. I know it isn't the right thing to do but you gotta work with what you got.

 

[bsaint]

Since my stuff needed to be checked in and a Platt empty is too heavy, we use Pelican cases and Klein canvas bags. Since weight is your enemy, we really trim the fat with tool selections. No tool was in there that didn't get used or we could borrow from the customer (i.e. no hammers, but crimpers instead)

 

[bobcatdan]

I pull a trailer behind the truck only when I think I might not be able to fix in the field. 9 out of 10 times, no problems and I can get the guy up and running. Most of the time I don't pull a trailer and its once in a great while when I get something I didn't expect there I sit with no trailer, then it's up to the customer or salemen to haul it in. Nobody whats to pay for two trips. When on the road, it is a lot of the same guys and you get know a lot of them pretty good. Most call me directly on my work cell phone and never call the shop, even if they just need parts.