Ice Machines

[We kick grass]

One of our biggest complaints when it comes to employee comforts is the issue of water sometimes. Now everyone enjoys a nice drink of cold water on a hot day so we try to make sure each truck has a cooler on it for them. And we try to provide ice in those coolers to help out. I was thinking about trying to buy a used ice machine from somewhere that came from any hotel or motel you know a nice big one with lots of cubes to help keep our boys cool and comfortable as possible. Has anyone done that and how did it work out ? Or does anyone have any leads on how to find one of those machines. Gotta take care of my boys!!!:blob2:

[SUNSHINE LAWN]

I use a deep freezer with small plastic buckets to make cubes of ice. The cubed ice lasts all day in 100+ degree temperatures. The only drawback to this is you have to refill the buckets every few days as needed.

[SUNSHINE LAWN]

I bought my deep freezer new a few years ago for about $200 and i use it for other things as well. During these hot and humid texas summers i also like to freeze gallons of iced tea. About mid afternoon after I have had a couple of gallons of water the tea is partly melted and it is nice to have somethin with a little flavor to it. Using a wet bandana around my neck helps a little but i have been trying to come up with something better. Maybe a piece of garden hose filled with water and frozen to wrap around the neck(or something like that). It wouldn't be the most professional image but anything to beat the heat I'd consider.

[walker-talker]

we kick grass,

Check out local auctions and get on their mailing list. There always seems to be restaurants going out of business. Could pick one up pretty cheap. Coleman make an ice chest that claims to keep ice for 5 days in 90 degree weather. Man the wall on that cooler are THICK!

MATT

[lawn jockey]

:D Check with your local commercial plumbing contractor we install these alot!Alot of times resteraunts need to up date with health code reasons and most of the time there is nothing wrong with these machine they might need a little clean up though

[accuratelawn]

Check with restaurant supply companies. They will have some used units. Don't buy one that makes crushed ice, lots of repairs.

[MOW ED]

try e-bay

[visions landscape]

My wife will freeze one liter coke jugs that she saves. each morning I grab a few and place them in the water coolers real cheap way for cold water

[gogetter]

I'd say use a small freezer and put small tubs (like ice cream or margarine type tubs) with water in them each day. The block of ice will slide right out. You can fit several tubs in at at time.
You can get one of the small freezers for under $200 and they are compact and will take up less space then an ice maker. Plus I would think that even a used ice machine would be a few hundred bucks or more.

[eslawns]

The best place to find one of these is a restaurant supply wholesaler or a refrigeration supply wholesaler. Some of these places won't sell to anybody except HVAC contractors.

Before you spend $2,000 on an ice machine, I'd try a different approach. I use a 3 liter soda bottle in my 2 gal cooler and 2 in the 5 gal jug. I cut off as much as it took to fit inside my jug. I freeze several of them so on really hot days I can come get another. I just put it in the jug upside down and fill the jug with water, and as the ice melts, it keeps the water cool until all of it is gone. I have used bagged ice before and it will melt before the end of most days. This isn't a problem with the bottles, plus I don't have a very large ice machine in the way, just a refrigerator, which I use for other stuff.

[kenneth parsons]

I'm still on active duty in the Air Force...Running muy business PT for the past 10 years, waiting to retire in the fall. I assure you the government gets rid of things like that all the time. Being in Salt Lake & near a base, Hill AFB, you may be able to check into getting one through the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO). This office takes in these items and if no other gov't agency needs them, they auction them off to the public...periodically. If you know someone there thats military or affiliated with the military, get them to help you out. Incidentally, I was in the DRMO here is S. Ga today and guess what I gave them...an ice machine! See, they're out there! You get to one of their previews before a public sale and you may find all sorts of equipment...you know we have a golf course or two on every base. Not to worry taxpayers, the golf courses are paid for and operated by "Non-appropriated funds" not taxpayer money...so is the equipment/crews used to maintain them. Best of Luck!

[LAWNGODFATHER]

I bought my ice machine at an auction for $200

500# ice machine.

Found the auction in the Sunday paper.

I did find out that it is liquid cooled so we have to take the ice maker part off durring the winter so it wont freeze. (Used in a non insulated barn)

[SLSNursery]

I was patient and was able to get an ice cube maker from a gas station that was moving away from selling soda out of a dispenser. It has worked great for a couple of years with no service calls (We moved it and I expect it to need servicing for this summer). The guys fill up their coolers each day, and it is one less stop for them to make. I'm not sure how many pounds it makes, but its hopper is about - 2x3x3. I have it plumbed into a wall in the shop with its own water, drain and electric circuit. The guys like it, and it is an added benefit to be able to fill up coolers for parties, etc.

We picked up one of those soda shaped retail soda coolers and have been selling drinks at the shop too! It is funny how things work out....In the same sort of gas station deal, another friend got us one of those clear front soda bottle refrigerators with the angled racks. This will work out pretty well for selling the soda and not having to fill a cooler with ice every day. Good luck finding a unit.

[ADA]

I bought not one but two of those 5 day Coleman coolers. What a piece of cr@@@@p. The first lid fit OK but it leaked around the drain spout. The second the top does not fit and will not stay latched. I use a bungee cord to try to hold it closed. IF the lid fit tight WHICH it dosn't it would hold ice for a lot longer than a regular cooler. I have talked to other people that have them and they have had the same problem wilth lids that do not shut tight enough. I would recommend another brand unless they have improved the fit of the lid on this 5 day cooler.