November Newsletter

Thoughts from the Nest

Most of the short messages I have written in the newsletters are mostly related to business functions and less about our products. Sure we want to sell sweepers, but I also want to pass on information. As many of you know, I really enjoy exploring ideas about how to operate businesses more effectively. We have been fortunate enough to have worked with many of the best sweeping companies in the country, many of whom are brilliant entrepreneurs. We love to take what we learn from them, mix it with our own experience, and spread it around the sweeping industry. I personally believe strong companies understand their margins, ultimately making a healthier sweeping market for everyone.

I have had great conversations about everything from operations to health care to taxes. With each conversation, my hope is that we will be able to both learn from and help the contractor become a more effective business. So when deciding on a topic, it didn't feel like too much of a stretch to take some liberties, and talk about our newest product, the Osprey. Why? Well, the direct answer is we think it is a great sweeper and will benefit sweeping contractors. Understanding your margins means understanding your operational costs, and that means understanding your equipment.

If you ever talked to anyone here at Nite-Hawk, hopefully we haven't led you astray. We want your relationship with us to be a win/win. And that requires us on occasion, to refer you to a competitor because we may not build the right equipment for your needs. But, what we do build here at Nite-Hawk, the Raptor and Osprey, are the right products for any parking lot.

The Osprey represents a big step forward from one of our longest running products the NH200. With units all over North America, the NH200 has been a mainstay in our product line since the late eighties. The Osprey represents the culmination of efforts from many people here at Nite-Hawk and our fantastic business partners. We are proud of the results. The Raptor has done very well in the market and represented a big step forward for us last year. The goal in developing the Osprey was to take what we learned from the Raptor, and apply that knowledge and system to our NH200. The result is a powerful hydraulic truck with its own personality.

Now many of you have been putting off purchasing for sometime as the economy sends shivers through your spine. We understand the feeling. We are certainly not immune in the manufacturing segment. But the simple fact is that sweepers have a tough job and they wear out. Operational costs, including repairs and maintenance, start to add up and pretty soon all the duct tape and bailing wire can't hold your sweeper together anymore. You are spending more to repair then it costs to replace. So when is the magic moment when you need to buy a new sweeper? Well, each business is unique and requires solutions to additional questions. How much is a new sweeper? Can I get financing? What is the value of my current unit? How much time and money will a new unit save me? Gathering the needed information to make a correct decision can be overwhelming.

At Nite-Hawk we would love to shoulder some of the burden and help find answers. We strive to give you an objective look at what you need to operate your business. Give us a call and we will do our best to take some of the stress out of answering these questions, and in the process, share information to help you build your business.

Tracy Day, President

Take Flight

The all new NH 200 Osprey takes hydraulic operated sweeping to a powerful new level. At only 6'4" the Osprey incorporates the patent-pending VFC hydraulic system, the same hydraulics used on the NH Raptor, allowing for performance and efficiency never before seen in a conventional sweeper truck. Our revolutionary NH 200 Osprey, along with its "big brother" the NH Raptor, will improve your operating efficiency and give you the power to tackle any parking lot. For more info on how you can get your hands on the revolutionary NH 200 Osprey give us a call at 1.800.448.9364. Join us at the NPE and NPE West Pavement Shows for an exclusive look at the all new NH 200 Osprey.

Maintenance Minute - Curb Broom Adjustment

To extend the life of your curb broom system and avoid costly repairs, follow these simple procedures when adjusting your curb broom: Introduction When the broom motor is on, the fan speed will decrease slightly. To compensate for this slight decrease, the hydraulic pressure should be set at 100-200 psi greater than normal sweeping pressure. Use Set the hydraulic pressure to 1700-1900 psi and extend the broom by pushing the "Broom Out" toggle and holding it until the broom touches the ground. Turn the broom on by pushing the "Broom On" toggle; the broom should be spinning clockwise. To stop the broom, simply push the "Broom Off" toggle and then push and hold the "Broom In" toggle until the curb broom is fully retracted. Angle Adjustment A hydraulic cylinder located along the truck frame operates the broom arm. The broom follows a fixed axis. Adjust the tilt of the broom by loosening the nut, which attaches the motor mount hinge to the curb broom arm. The pitch of the broom is adjusted by loosening the motor mount hinge.