Rebuilding an Etnyre Used Chip Spreader
How We Do What We Do -- at Rocky Mountain Rebuild
In early 2022 we finished an extensive rebuild of a 1999 well used Etnyre Hydrostat Chip Spreader, making this 23 year old machine "chip ready" for another 20 years, and saving about $100,000 versus buying new.
See BEFORE and AFTER on this machine as we walk through the rebuild process below.
A road construction contractor on the East Coast found us online and called to say he’d worn out his 1999 Etnyre Chip Spreader and needed something new. The machine, as we say in the West, had been “rode hard and put away wet.”
But, it had also made its owners a lot of money. They were familiar with it. They trusted it. They didn't necessarily want to replace it, but they also knew it was time for some serious TLC.
So they hired us at Rocky Mountain Rebuild.
DEMONSTRATING REBUILT ETNYRE 10'-20' VARIABLE WIDTH HOPPER
First the owner sent us pictures of his used chip spreader for an initial evaluation. This let us assess the machine’s condition and provide starting estimates on a rebuild.
Those conversations made the owner comfortable enough to proceed with a complete rebuild and he shipped his Etnyre used chip spreader to our facility in Idaho.
Original Machine Pictures Click to Launch Slideshow
Inspection/Evaluation
The first thing we do when we receive a used chip spreader is thoroughly inspect it from top to bottom, evaluating and cataloguing every last component, fitting, hose, and major and minor mechanical systems.
We complete a detailed 38 page detailed inspection report that documents the exact condition of every component in each used chip spreader we inventory.
Our team thoroughly inspects and qualifies the condition of every component on a newly received used chip spreader.
This inspection report then allows us to develop an even more detailed cost estimate for a complete and warrantied rebuild. Everything is up front and transparent, and discussed at length with the client before work begins, turning old back into new.
DISASSEMBLY, STRIPPING AND REPAINTING
When we rebuild a used chip spreader like this Etnyre, our expert technicians first strip the machine down to its frame.
This allows us to inspect internal wear and tear, verify and remove any broken wiring, brittle hoses and fittings and other used chip spreader parts that need to be removed and repair or replaced to ensure reliable function in the rebuilt machine.
We sandblast the main frame and exterior panels, removing old paint, rust and wear, taking it down to the original bare metal. Then we use industry standard refinishing processes to apply a top quality heavy industrial enamel finish.
We do this across the entire used chip spreader, including the engine block and attached components, giving the rebuilt chip spreader like new visual appeal and protection from the elements.
These before and after photos show how well the finished components look when the job is done thoroughly. With all the major elements cleaned, stripped and refinished, the used chip spreader rebuilding can begin.
POWER TRAIN
This Etnyre used chip spreader also needed a complete engine rebuild, so we pulled and disassembled the Cummins diesel powerplant, rebuilt it from the inside out and reinstalled it.
We find powerplant and drive train rebuilds are not always required, especially in used chip spreaders that are older but have low hours on them. In this case, this was a heavily used machine and the owner was behind the need to redo the engine.
Frank pulled the wheel assemblies and found sufficient wear and corrision addressed with a refinishing and rebuilding process.
RUBBER
One of the main things that differentiates new and used chip spreaders is the condition of the rubber elements. Chip spreaders are full of rubber from the main conveyor belts to the hydraulic hoses and many other systems.
The combination of rubber and metal fittings is extensive and critical to performance. When GEFFS Rocky Mountain Rebuild conducts a used chip spreader rebuild we replace all the worn rubber and fittings with top quality, industrial strength materials designed to hold up under harsh conditions and perform reliably for years.
This gives the chip spreader a new lease on life where all the fluid carrying, power and control systems are restored to true like-new condition by hand.
COMPUTER AND ELECTRICAL
Computer System Rebuild
HEAD MECHANIC FRANK LOFTUS EXPLAINS OUTCOME AFTER INSTALLING ETNYRE CHIP SPREADER COMPUTER CONTROL SYSTEM UPGRADE
GEFFS is fully qualified to retrofit and install state of the art Etnyre computer control systems on older chip spreaders. That was part of this rebuild, giving this older Etnyre chip spreader better than original capabilities.
We install the computer control system main unit and all the attendant wiring that communicates to components all over the machine, and particuarly the gate and rate control systems. As you can see, the work is extensive and sophisticated and something we’re capable of right here on site.
DRIVER'S STATION
No one will appreciate the quality of workmanship in a Rocky Mountain Rebuild job than the chip spreader operator.
With the new computer control display updated in the drivers dashboard, new control interfaces, cleaned up wiring, and general aesthetic improvement, the operator's system on this rebuilt etnyre used chip spreader looks, feels and functions as good as new.
With the additional retrofit of the proprietary Etnyre computer control system, even better than new.
FINAL ASSEMBLY
With the entire frame and body components stripped and refinished to like new perfection, all the older wiring, fittings and hoses stripped and replaced with new materials, the engine and drive train rebuilt, the electronics rewired, rebuilt and upgraded with new computer controls, and the variable width hopper components stripped, refinished and rebuilt, we reassembled this entire Etnyre used chip spreader from the wheels up.
We put everything back together by hand, check every line and connection, every control and mechanical system, certify that everything is ready for years of continued service, and put the machine back together as if it had just come off the original new chip spreader manufacturing line.
In all respects, our used chip spreader rebuilding process creates a machine that is for all intents and purposes as good as a new chip spreader for a fraction of the cost.
Finally, we loaded and secured this beautifully redone Etnyre used chip spreader to a flatbed for return shipping to our customer.
Call 208 233-1100 to discuss your chip spreader needs today.
