MEET RUSTY BATES

If you call on Tri-State Laundry Equipment when you have an equipment issue, chances are that you’ve met this guy.  Say hello to Rusty Bates – one of our laundry and dry cleaning equipment repair gurus.  Rusty has been in the equipment repair business – of some kind – since he was 16 years old.  In 1980, before he could start working part-time for a local used appliance dealer, he had to pass a test.  He was asked to install a belt on an old Kenmore washing machine.  Forty-five minutes later (and perhaps with a little help), he had the job done, and the rest is history.  Rusty went from home appliances to laundry-mat washers and dryers to heating and cooling to commercial laundry equipment over the course of the last 35 years.

He’s seen the industry and the equipment change over the years, in many ways for the better but sometimes at a cost.  For instance, he likes the microprocessors and fuzzy control logic being implemented into the systems.  Both provide better control in the cleaning process.  Microprocessors have allowed equipment to evolve and to refine the process with fewer components and many times with a cost savings.  At the same time, there can be issues with the microprocessors in the over-complicating of the programming.  The units have become too smart, sometimes making it difficult to properly and quickly identify issues with the machine.  As luck would have it, Rusty really enjoys trying to solve electrical issues.  Nothing pleases him more than to grab a schematic or wiring diagram and try to chase down a problem.  And speaking of problems, Rusty runs across a common one and offers a piece of advice.  “As simplistic as it may sound,” he said, “keep the laundry equipment clean. I've worked on more dirty and soap-caked machines than I have on clean ones.”

In addition to his 35 years of experience, Rusty also has certifications in Speed Queen Commercial Laundry Equipment, Parker Boilers, Steam Trap Sonic Testing, and R-12 Refrigerant Certification License.  Besides his vast experience and training, Rusty follows the motto of treating customers the way he’d like to be treated.  You can rest assured that if Rusty comes to repair your machine, you’re in good hands.

If you need to get it touch with Rusty, simply e-mail him at tristaterusty@gmail.com or call him at 1-866-885-5218.