Unconventional record keeping?

[Cami]

Mention of service records in another thread started me to thinking about the importance of record keeping.

A habbit I picked up early on was writing notes on trucks and equipment with a sharpie; not in plain view, but under the hood. Does anybody else do this? I'm not using it as a replacement for proper record keeping, but to provide a quick reference in the field; it's nothing an acetone-soaked rag can't fix.

Usually I'll just write down when different services are due. On equipment with small gas engines like welders, generators, or pumps I've even put down sparkplug gap and valve lash specs.

 

[Ductape]

not to that extent......... but i write down things like hours, date, etc. on my filters when i change them. Like yourself, i write it right on the filter with a sharpie.

 

[Tig]

Yes I do. I write down belt sizes, part numbers and dates that service events occurred. Usually on the back of the hood or on the part it's self. Makes for quick reference. I am also one to write explanations and procedures in the margins of service guides. Saves me from having to figure the same thing out twice.

 

[aczlan]

I like to write under the hood as well, on the smaller tractors that we have had I will write belt, blade and filter numbers in permanent marker on the underside of the hood. On cars I will write the quantity of oil needed somewhere in the engine compartment and the number of miles that the car has on the filter when I install it.

Aaron Z

 

[radioman]

Only thing I write in sharpie is the wrench sizes for oil on cars. It didnt occur to me to write on filter of the dates and I think that is an awesome idea. Nothing like a oily rag to wipe the dirt off the filter to see what you wrote.
good idea ducttape!

 

[Tig]

For filters I write the hours or mileage.

 

[Redneck in training]

I write tire pressure on the fender and/or rims of our tractor and mover. I will start writing on the filters too.

 

[Kays Supply]

I cut a piece of one of those magnet backed cards that was all white. I mark down the hours when I greased my trackhoe and put the magnet on the boom where I can see it. I use a grease pencil so it wipes off easy. I use the grease pencil to mark on my air filters when I cleaned them also. I also do like the others and mark hours for oil and filter changes on the filter.

 

[ctgoldwing]

Great suggestions in this thread!
Thanks

 

[California]

I write hours and date on the oil filter.

I also write tire pressure next to the valve stems.

In a few cases I write the wrench size next to a big tractor bolt, when I recall I went back for a different socket every time I checked it.

 

[brandoro]

I write hours and date on the tractor oil filters-engine and HST. My car and truck are both cartridge filters but I keep small record books in both of those to record all fuel, mileage and maintenance, when I switch the winter and summer tires/wheels so I know the mileage on them. I still replace tires based on visible wear and condition but like to know how they did.
I write, in pencil, the various wheel nut/bolt torques on the window edge over the bench in the shop.
I like the white magnetic card idea for keeping a visible reminder on things like the BH.

 

[Cami]

Writing on filters is common, but I'm glad to know there are more than a couple of people writing on the machines themselves. I picked the habit up off my boss, years ago, while doing service work for a truck fleet.

For oil changes, we'd take a sharpie, write down when the next service was due, then draw a line through the old reminder. In short order, there would be mileage figures scribbled on every surface. When you found yourself going mad trying to find the most current reminder, out came the acetone.

 

[Cat_Driver]

I put everything in a file on the computer.

All the info I need in one place for all vehicles. I try and time all my vehicles and tractors around the same time, then I go to to my file and see what vehicles need service and what type of service and when. Then I can order the filters etc. over the internet and whne it all comes in I go to work.

I put a lot more info in the file besides filter number hours, cross reference numbers, I put in things I find on the internet that I may read here for the next time I need info on that piece of equipment, or a valuable internet link for parts, or options. Cut and paste works great for remembering what advice I collect here or else where.

 

[Scooby074]

I use Green 3m painters tape on a clean area under the hood to remind me of last oil change date and mileage/hours.

This is duplicated on the filter with a sharpie in case the tape comes off.

I also mark on a relatively clean area under hood the oil capacity and filter type with a sharpie.

 

[Soundguy]

I write the hoursand date on the filters before I screw them on, for the spin on's anyway... sometimes record info about the air fitler as well.. then i stick some clear packing tape over it so it will be there towards the end of the year.

I also like to stick reciepts in the cover of my manual year to year...

soundguy

 

[FarmGeek]

I write the hoursand date on the filters before I screw them on, for the spin on's anyway... sometimes record info about the air fitler as well.. then i stick some clear packing tape over it so it will be there towards the end of the year.

I also like to stick reciepts in the cover of my manual year to year...

soundguy

I also write on my rims, under the hood and filters but wait until the filter is installed. If I don't I have to look at upside-down writing EVERY STINKING TIME

Guess I don't have Soundguy's skill with this. Maybe I need practice. Oh goody! 300 Hr service is coming up!

 

[Soundguy]

I write mine on first so i don't have to get a rag and paint thinner to clean the oil off and then dry it so the marker will write on it.

and yes.. it sometimes is upside down.. but that's fine.

soundguy

 

[fish6942]

For smaller machines like ATVs, lawn mowers, tractor, etc I keep just one spiral notebook in my toolchest. In it I record all services as well as parts replacements. The cars and truck each have a small notebook of their own in the glove boxes.

 

[Thumper & Buttercup]

I keep notebooks in all vehicles, write down all maintenance fuel fill ups with date, hours, mileage. All Data is kept in our computer. I have it compute MPG and GPH so I know how that piece of equipment is performing.

The last two tractors I traded in I printed out the maintenance records, one of the shop guys took one of the tractors so I gave him a copy, said he had never seen anything like it.

 

[sandman2234]

I write on the filters with a nail or the tip of a knife blade, so that it is there for good. Once rust takes over, the writing is easily visible, and unremovable. Not good for record keeping, once you change it because nobody wants to store old filters in a filing cabinet.
David from jax