Routine Bulk Vender Maintenance Cuts Costs And Boosts Revenue For Operators

Heidi Schwarzli, Beaver Machine Corp.

However, this extraordinary longevity has a downside: a unique set of problems. Even normal use in a moderately busy location takes its toll through continual friction and mechanical stress. No matter how well a machine is constructed, coin mechs will break, springs will lose their tension, pawls will wear down and other components inevitably will malfunction if simply left in place. For operators with "mature" routes of well-worn equipment, malfunctions are a part of life -- but for young patrons and the locations they frequent, equipment failure can be a frustrating experience.

"It is cheaper to replace worn parts during a regular scheduled visit than to lose sales through lost vends because you didn't take notice of the telltale signs of wear," said Beaver Machine Corp.'s Heidi Schwarzli. "Preventive maintenance also keeps unexpected service calls to a minimum."

According to experts, the first step in launching a good PM program is to form the habit of making what could be called a "service vend" upon arrival at the machine, to check the basic action of the coin mech and other primary components and to experience the machine in the same way as a customer does. Just because there are quarters in the cashbox doesn't necessarily mean the machine is working reliably. A machine that isn't working or exhibits a tendency to jam intermittently is a revenue loser.

A quick inspection while opening and filling the vender also can reveal worn parts. The first thing to look at is the coin mech, which takes the majority of wear and tear. Beaver's experts report that the mechanism's cam is the component that usually shows wear first. "That's the part on the back of the coin mechanism that has teeth on part of its circumference," Schwarzli explained. "The ratchet dog clicks on those teeth as the handle is rotated. The cam/ratchet dog combination stops the coin mechanism from being turned backwards. With time, the cam teeth will begin to deform as the ratchet keeps clicking against them."

Schwarzli added that the part of the coin mech that receives almost as much wear is the handle assembly. "There should be minimal sloppy play of the handle where it is inserted through the front plate," she explained. "If there is lots of up-and-down play, then in all likelihood the handle and front plate may need replacing as well." If all three parts are worn, it is usually sensible to replace the entire coin mech to save the labor and expense of replacing all the parts.

Route personnel should also take note of locks. The lock is exposed to dirt, dust and worse contaminants while on location. If a lock that jams is not gummed up with some foreign substance, it may suffer from worn tumblers. This kind of malfunction not only adds time and money to a service call, but also represents a potentially far more costly security risk.

Look Good, Vend Better

Route personnel should not forget about the machine's appearance. Even a vender that's functioning perfectly in all aspects mechanical will lose sales if its appearance has been degraded by chipped paint or a fogged globe. "Obviously, the priority replacement parts to improve the appearance of the machine would be the globe and the body," said Schwarzli. "An operator may also want to think about changing colors, or changing from a round globe to a square. If the mechanicals are still good, then simply replacing the body and globe will impart a fresh new look to the machine. Customers always prefer to purchase from a new-looking machine, as they feel that the product inside is fresh and new, as well."

[Full-line vending route personnel are instructed to make a "test vend" at the end of each routine fill-and-collect stop. And an increasing number of bulk operators have their route drivers wrap up a service call by taking a picture of the machine with their smartphones.]

While these route service protocols may seem like common sense, they can pay big dividends down the road in fewer unscheduled service calls, stronger location goodwill and satisfied customers. All that's needed is the routine inspection and the same kind of preventive maintenance every responsible operator performs on a vehicle. Of course, pointing to a machine that operates perfectly and looks great should be a point of pride for operators, regardless of whether the machine is brand new or a veteran of a decade or two of steady earning.