PIRTEK Technician's Day in Houston showcases rapid response to hydraulic hose failures. With fully stocked vans and same-day service, they prevent downtime and ensure efficient operations for clients in need.
PIRTEK photo
A PIRTEK technician’s van is stocked with hundreds of hydraulic fittings, ready to handle any job onsite.
In construction and manufacturing operations, when a machine goes down due to a hydraulic hose failure, the clock starts ticking. Every hour of downtime translates to lost productivity and revenue. That's where PIRTEK's mobile technicians come in, ensuring the equipment is back in operation with minimal downtime.
On March 4, 2025, in Houston, Construction Equipment Guide had the opportunity to ride along with Gabriel Sutherland, a PIRTEK mobile service technician, as he responded to a service call.
Call Comes In
The day begins early, with technicians receiving their first assignments through PIRTEK's dispatch system. Jobs come in through either direct customer requests or with proactive maintenance visits to check on existing clients.
"We're on site within an hour of receiving a call," Sutherland said as he headed toward the first job. "Sometimes it's a total shutdown situation where they need us immediately and, other times, we're catching a problem before it gets worse."
Each technician is equipped with a fully stocked service van, carrying hydraulic hoses to fit any job and equipped with hundreds of different fittings, along with adapters and essential tools; everything needed to perform repairs onsite without delays.
"If there's something we don't have, we can get it delivered to us while we're working," Sutherland said. "That way, we don't have to stop and leave the job site."
Onsite Replacements: No Downtime, No Delays
Sutherland was dispatched to a hose-in-hand job at WellBoss, a company that designs and manufactures frac plugs.
A hose-in-hand job involves a PIRTEK technician receiving a hose that needs to be produced in multiple quantities for on-site facility mechanics to use as replacements. The technician measures, cuts and fits the hoses on-site to ensure they are ready when needed.
At WellBoss, their machines, which produce fracking plugs, required additional hoses fitted to precise measurements to ensure they were prepared in case of leaks or signs of wear.
Frank Sturgis, the maintenance manager of WellBoss, explained the importance of quick service.
"If we have oil leaks, the machines shut down. But with PIRTEK, we can get the hoses replaced the same day and within an hour or two. That response time is huge for us."
At the job site, Sutherland quickly fulfills the hose order. Hydraulic hoses can fail due to wear, crushing or exposure to sharp or heavy objects, which are common challenges in industrial and construction environments. Taking precise measurements to ensure the perfect fit, he then used a hose saw and hydraulic crimper to fabricate a new hose on site.
"A lot of companies schedule service weeks out, but PIRTEK is here same day, usually within an hour. That's what makes PIRTEK different," Sturgis said.
Sutherland doesn't just fix immediate problems: He looks for potential failures before they happen.
"If we see something worn that could cause a breakdown later, we let the customer know," he said. "A hose change now can prevent a much more expensive failure down the line."
This proactive approach has earned PIRTEK a strong reputation in the Houston metro area.
"We hadn't used PIRTEK before, but after seeing how fast they get us back up, my guys on the floor are now asking for them," Sturgis said.
Job That Keeps Houston Moving
From construction sites to industrial plants, PIRTEK technicians play an essential role in keeping the wheels of Houston's economy turning. The job requires technical expertise, problem-solving skills and a customer-focused approach.
"Machines don't care what time it is, they break when they break," Sutherland said. "It's rewarding when we show up to a job where a customer is losing money due to downtime and, by the time we leave, they're back at full capacity."
In an industry where every second counts, PIRTEK's mobile response teams ensure that machinery keeps running and projects stay on schedule.
For more information, visit pirtekusa.com.
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