Assuming 100% utilization of the equipment, what ratio of pumps to mechanics is the norm?  My market niche is premier service, not 'the cheapest guy in town' so breakdowns, although never 100% unavoidable, need to be minimized.  Also, have you guys noticed whether any manufacturer(s) is significantly less labor intensive than the others?  I'm not new to the industry, I have formed my own opinions on this topic through experience, but I would like to know what you guys here have seen.  Also, what type of work is sent out of shop?  Are you guys rebuilding boom cylinders, pto boxes, mack engines, etc . . . in house?

I forgot to mention - Assume that the operators do nothing except keep their grease pots full and check the oils in the morning.  They don't grease their booms, change gaskets anything.  I know that they should, so save it, just assume for conversation's sake that 100% of maintenance is done by someone other than the operator.

I'm not sure of the correct ratio. I think one trained mechanic and one helper for every 10 to 12 pumps would be about "normal". As far as out of shop repairs, only machine work goes out of the shop. Boom cyls, engine rebuilding, pto boxes and even transmissions are done in our shop. That is unless it's still under warranty. As the labor issue of each brand, it all depends on the people doing the work, and the operator rapidly reporting issues with his/her machine. Almost all small problems become big ones if not repaired early. It's all opinion based....

Your response raises another interesting question knucklebuster - How many people have a tiered mechanic staff (mechanics expected to be well versed in the equipment and able to troubleshoot, and others who are only expected to be filter and lube guys)?  Or are all mechanics employed under the same pay schedule, and expected to be an all around pump mechanic over time?

mmmm,allot depends on age of equipment.We had approximatly 55 pumps at one time in our branch.There was 1 mech and shop manager during the day and 3 mech plus myself at night.We did everything except engine work (heavy).We were streched to the limit + 25%,we also worked on customers pumps as well.

40% of the operators at that time were lucky enough to find the yard each mourning.The shop was also involved in boom parties,accidents,orginizing yard and anything else the upper management could think of.

just the facts

many who are you i think we worked at the same place

pumping guy,

i have been around a good bit of equipment and pumps in my opinion 1 mech. to 10-15 pumps with operators doing some there selves and schwing is probably your most troublefree equipment that I personally have been around putz is a not so near second, just my opinion