Production 2: Wheel Package

This week we are finishing up a new unit for boat demos up in Wisconsin.  Because this lagoon has a very long concrete ramp, we have elected to install the wheel package option on this unit.  The wheel package has been an option for about eight months on the boat, with most of the units going to Canada to deal with lined lagoons.

The design features pillow blocks for bearings, which are sealed, inexpensive, and easy to replace compared to other bearings, or moving parts.  There is a dual rear wheel, and a single front wheel, which are offset to allow minimum impact.  They are hydraulically actuated to raise and lower the wheels.  With the wheel package in the full down position, the unit sits flat on a 2:1 slope, and can be adjusted to any position between 2:1 and flat, as it sits in the photos.

Also in the shop this week is another run of HC 8 hose carts.  PCE has had hose carts fabricated by another facility for most of the years they have been in production, aside from any new design/prototype builds such as the TTR-15 and TTR-20 carts.  This spring demand was so high for hose carts that neither our vendor, nor our shop could have kept up while continuing to keep up with demand for boats and pumps.  For this reason, a number of hose carts are now built in house, utilizing the same design that customers have come to know and trust.  This has pushed our fabrication department to continue to expand.

Feel free to comment on anything here, or send me a direct mail at jblum@puckenterprises.com with any questions you may have.

Production 1: PT 6089

In the past two years, the 550 hp engine on the 5069 series of pump have taken off, and now are a majority of the lead pump and booster pumps we put out.  They have proven that it is possible to achieve 3000 gpm, and to live around 2750 gpm.  They have also proven that more horsepower and more pump does not mean more fuel wasted, but rather less fuel consumed per gallon pumped.  So what is next?

In prototype now is the PT 6089.  More horsepower, more pump.  Full details and specs will come out when the unit hits production, but for now we will just say we like to push the envelope.

This will be a later post, but all this will be controlled by a totally revamped system.  The best pump control system in the industry is about to get a whole lot better.

Production Series

As a farmer or a custom applicator, the best way to improve your business is to get as many gallons through the flow meter in as little time as possible, as efficiently as possible.  This all has to be accomplished while continuing to provide the customer with accurate and even nutrient levels throughout the field, and the customer service he or she expects.  Usually we think this means increasing flow to the tractor, but it can also mean quicker turn around when changing sets, or moving to a new site.  Whatever your need, our goal as a manufacturer is to provide you with the tools to make it happen.

To focus on the product, we are launching a new Production Series that will highlight what we are doing here in the shop.  The goal is to keep you up to date on our current builds, why we think they are important to the future of the industry, and how they could make your operation more effective.

These blogs won't be the pretty cut and sunny photos you are used to seeing from a manufacturer.  They will be real pictures of our products in the manufacturing process, and people and tools that make it happen.  Please feel free to comment and suggest, after all, we are here to help solve the issues the industry faces.

Below are some quick snapshots of some projects we will be looking at as we go forward.