Lifting and Moving the Buffer

I have not used the caddie, but commend you on the inquiry. This is a great company and a rewarding occupation. The biggest challenge for many of us is to stay healthy. We need to do more with less effort. After 10 years in the business, I will tell you that attention to lifting and making the physical work easier is really important. Welcome to the HB family and good luck to you!

THIS IS AN OLDIE BUT A GOODIE!
I am sure that some of you seasoned operators already know this so this is for the ones that don’t and mainly for the new operators. I am going to break this down my way for all (which is what I try to do in my posts)

A way to take some of the weight off of the buffer…

I use male and female locking plug ends (not sure of technical term)
Cut the cord about 18 inches from the buffer, attach the male (3 wires follow the color code) then attach the female the same way to the left over cord. (Sort of like creating your own extension cord)
So to give you a visual, you now have a buffer with a cord only about 18 inches long hanging from it, now equipped with a male end plug attached to it. It takes off about 10 to 15 pounds from the weight of the buffer depending on how long the cord is. It’s that easy!
So, when I go out to the van I put the cord over my shoulder like a bullet belt (it’s the best I can describe it) I grab my dirt napper, pads and my jug of cleaner and go into the home.
The buffer is not only lighter but easier to maneuver. Also, when in a residence on the second floor especially, you save the time of not having to re-wrap the cord around the buffer. Just wrap the cord up, put a clip on it, grab your napper, pads and sprayer and go down the steps.
(Since I prefer to work from the top floor, down.)
I vacuum and pre-spray from the bottom floor, up. (Since I use F.A.E. in my power sprayer, it already on the top floor when I am getting ready to clean.)
Next, I go to the area I am getting ready to clean, spray down with cleaner, unwrap the cord, plug the cord in, set it in position, go and get buffer and start. (For me, this saves time.) IAdvantages of doing it this way for me…

All the cords are interchangeable, I don’t have to worry about the cord bundling up and causing disconnections in the buffer housing, and I don’t have to deal with the dreaded split cord end. The cords actually last longer. (Sorry Cody) Also, the cords are easier to clean when needed. Being portable now, you can bring them into your home to do so, and not have to be in the elements like the postman.

I hang the cord on an “S” hook in the back of my van; I use an orange round clip with teeth that I purchased from the Home Depot to secure the cord.
I use the large industrial locking plug ends also found at Home Depot.
The larger orange clips (H.D. seems to always be out of) and the male/female locking plug ends, I have a hard time finding them and when I do it’s usually only 1 set for the plug ends. Sometimes I have to go back 3 or 4 times, since they only keeping stock 1 set at a time.

Hope this helps
Steve

100 crunches in the morning followed by 50 squats. If you’r really feeling strong try bench pressing the buffer. Seriously, try to keep in physical shape to some extent this work can get tiring at the end of the day. Good Luck and God Speed…

Steve: Your idea sounds pretty good! I’m curious tho OSHA would handle this if they saw the extra connection within the wiring. A contractor friend of mine got fined 10 g’s for just such a thing. I don’t work at a lot of places that would have an OSHA person making visual inspections but just wanted operator’s to be aware that there may come a day…

Don, during the winter months I occasionally help a friend refinish wood floors. He has a consideraby larger heavier machine similar to a buffer that is 220 volt powered. It has a twist lock plug that is 8″ out of the handle, and comes from the factory that way with non molded plug ends. I’m guessing it is the twist lock that makes it ok. However he has other back pack vacumms that have short cords and it is neccesary to use an extension cord. The plug ends are factory molded though. Hmmmm

The assembled are still awaiting a review on this particular piece of equipment.

I bought a ramp from Harbor Freight to get in & out of van works great. As far as stairs if two people carry it up steps its easier.