EquipHours training

Learn the app, show a useful first result, and help the right customer choose a plan. Product and web pricing checked September 12, 2026. Allow about 25–35 minutes to read and practice.

Your one-sentence explanation

EquipHours helps owners and small crews keep equipment service records, enter engine hours or miles, and see maintenance coming due in one shared garage.

Start with the customer's problem: “How do you know which machine needs service next, and where do you keep the record after someone does it?” Then show one machine, one reminder, and one saved service. The first win is a usable maintenance record, not a subscription purchase.

Who it fits

• An owner-operator with a few machines who currently uses memory, a notebook, or scattered phone photos.
• Landscapers keeping mower, tractor, and other equipment service together.
• Contractors and small fleets whose operators need a simple way to record work.
• Homeowners tracking a standby generator alongside lawn equipment.
• A growing crew that needs shared logging without an additional subscription for each worker on Home, Crew, or Fleet.

Ask how many machines they track, how many people need access, whether service depends on hours, miles, or dates, and what records they need to retain. EquipHours uses readings people enter. Do not describe it as GPS tracking, live engine telemetry, an automatic hour sensor, dispatch software, inventory accounting, or a repair diagnosis tool.

Choose the smallest plan that fits

These are the US-dollar web prices verified against the current EquipHours pricing page. Annual prices are charged per year, not per month.

Free supports logging, equipment/receipt photos, offline field logs, and a calendar- or meter-based reminder. Solo and higher add service-history CSV export and hour-meter/overdue alerts by push and email. Home is the first tier that allows crew invitations. “No per-user pricing” does not mean Free or Solo includes multiple users.

Solo advertises a 14-day free trial. The customer must review the checkout's eligibility, amount, renewal date, and cancellation terms before confirming. Do not promise a repeat trial or a trial on every plan. Apple/Google prices and offers can differ from web prices and by region; use the actual store confirmation sheet for an in-app purchase. Paid subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled.

Examples: one person with two machines and one reminder can begin Free; one person needing several reminders can consider Solo; two people sharing two machines need Home or higher; a 12-machine crew fits Crew.

Lesson 1 — Create the right account

1. Start from your personal EquipHours share link copied from the Residual Apps dashboard. Let the customer open it themselves.
2. Choose Create owner account / Register. Enter the company or garage name, the owner's name, email, and a password of at least eight characters.
3. Choose Create account. The first-run garage leads into adding equipment.
4. Returning owners use Log in. A crew member uses the owner's invitation instead of creating a separate garage.

The app may open on Schedule when reminders exist, or Garage when there is nothing scheduled yet. That is normal. The main navigation is Garage, Schedule, Crew for owners, Settings, and Logout. Keep customer passwords private; an Insider does not need them.

Lesson 2 — Garage and your first machine

1. Open Garage and select Add your first machine or the + button.
2. Select Jobsite equipment (hours or miles) for ordinary equipment.
3. Enter a clear name such as “Front mower.” Make, model, year, serial, and photo help identify it; the name is required. Leave optional year blank if unknown.
4. Choose Hours or Miles to match the machine's meter.
5. Select Next — hours or Next — miles, enter the current reading with the number pad, and choose Save. Decimal readings are supported.
6. Open the saved machine and create its first reminder.

The Garage card shows the machine name, make/model, recorded meter, and a status indicator. Fast Log starts service entry directly. If the plan is at its machine limit, the app offers plans before allowing another machine.

Photos require a successful upload. If a machine photo fails, save without it rather than abandoning the machine; keep the original photo. Do not tell customers that a local preview means an upload succeeded.

Standby generator shortcut

Choose Standby / home generator, pick a template, optionally set its name and serial, continue to the hour reading, and save. The template list has a retry control if loading fails. Paid templates include weekly exercise, Schedule A, Schedule B, and oil tracking; Free adds the weekly reminder only if its one garage-wide reminder is still available. Confirm the displayed intervals against the exact generator manual and installer guidance. Template defaults are a starting point, not a manufacturer-specific service guarantee.

Lesson 3 — Machine detail and Setup

Open any Garage card. The machine detail screen has a prominent LOG SERVICE button, reminder rows, a Logs tab, and an owner-only Setup tab.

Set a recurring service

1. Open Setup → Maintenance schedule.
2. Find the service category. Built-in choices include Engine Oil, Hydraulic Fluid, Filters, Greasing, Tracks/Tires, and General Repair.
3. Enter the interval amount and select the machine's meter units, days, or weeks. Calendar reminders can also use a selected weekday.
4. Choose Save. Verify the saved interval and remaining amount or next date on the machine.
5. To revise a reminder, change its values and choose Update. Remove deletes the reminder after confirmation.

Use the manufacturer's real interval. For a demonstration only, you could use a 50-hour oil interval on a demo machine at 100 hours. That is an example for learning the controls, not maintenance advice. A newly created reminder starts from the current recorded meter or the relevant existing service history; creating a reminder does not record a service you never performed.

The Update hours or Update miles schedule helps remind someone to enter fresh readings. It is a meter-check helper, not a record that the oil was changed. Regular updates matter because the app cannot read the engine meter itself.

Custom work

Under Custom service categories, enter a name such as “Blade Sharpening,” an interval, and its unit, then choose Add. The category becomes a Quick Log choice for that machine. Change its reminder in Maintenance schedule. Remove category removes its button and associated reminder while retaining logged history.

Setup also contains the meter-unit control, CSV export, and Delete equipment. Choose units carefully; do not switch an existing machine casually to fix a mistaken reading. Deleting equipment removes its logs too. Export needed records before deleting.

Lesson 4 — Record service with Fast Log

1. Select Fast Log, LOG SERVICE, or a reminder's Log it button.
2. Choose what you actually did.
3. For meter-based work, enter the current engine hours or miles and select Next. The app flags invalid readings and can warn about unusual entries; check the physical meter before continuing.
4. Add optional notes, such as which filter was installed, and a photo if useful.
5. Select SAVE once. Check the confirmation and return to the machine's Logs tab.
6. Verify the entry and the sync indicator before treating the record as available to the rest of the crew.

Calendar-based service can skip the meter step because its schedule uses the date. Update hours/miles always asks for a reading. Logging one category advances that category's service history; it does not mean all scheduled work on the machine was completed.

A Mic button may appear when speech recognition is supported. Allow the relevant microphone/speech permission, review the resulting notes, and correct them before saving. Availability depends on device and permissions; typed notes are the reliable fallback. Do not promise voice entry on every phone.

Offline means saved locally until synced

Before going into poor signal, sign in and open the equipment while online so that it is available on that device. Previously loaded equipment can accept field logs offline. New account setup, newly loading unavailable equipment, photo uploads, invitations, and billing need a connection.

The top indicator distinguishes Offline + queued, Syncing, Synced, and logs that need attention. Reconnect and wait for Synced. If an error banner appears, select Retry sync. Keep the same signed-in account and device available while resolving queued entries; clearing app/browser data or uninstalling can remove unsynced local records.

Receipt photos do not queue for later upload. If the screen says the photo will not be attached because the device is offline or upload failed, saving records the log without that photo. Keep the original, reconnect, and contact support if you need help associating missing evidence. Do not repeatedly log the same service just to attach a photo.

An older installation may offer Review saved logs. Review the machine, date, and entries, confirm they belong to the signed-in account, and choose Recover my logs. Do not claim unfamiliar logs.

Lesson 5 — Know what is due

Open Schedule → Coming up. All groups calendar reminders into Overdue, Due today, This week, and Later. Today, Tomorrow, Week, and Month filter calendar work. Next up by meter appears in All because hour/mile work has no fixed due date.

Tap a row to inspect the machine or Log it to record that service. Calendar work completed today shows Done and the next occurrence. Some recently completed calendar categories temporarily disable repeat logging to reduce duplicates; that does not mean the service record is missing. Meter updates remain available.

Green means no tracked interval is currently near/due; yellow means approaching a threshold or calendar due today; red indicates a due meter threshold or overdue calendar work. A green machine is not a mechanical inspection or safety certification. Verify the actual remaining values and perform any needed inspection.

Push/email alerts are paid-plan features. On a supported app, allow notifications when prompted and confirm device settings if they are absent. Keep readings synced, check the actual reminder and plan, and check email spam folders. The schedule is still the place to inspect what is due; never promise an alert at an exact delivery time.

Lesson 6 — Invite and manage a crew

The owner opens Crew. Free and Solo require an upgrade to Home or higher before adding another user.

1. Optionally enter the worker's email and choose Generate invite.
2. Share the generated link or QR code. If email delivery fails, the app can still provide the link/QR.
3. The worker opens the invitation, enters their name, email, and password, and selects Join.
4. Check Members to confirm they joined the intended garage.

Each invitation is single-use and has an expiration. Generate a fresh invitation for each person; do not reuse one team-wide. Crew can view machines and add service logs. Owners control equipment, reminders, crew access, billing, and exports.

The owner can choose Remove member beside a crew member. Confirm only when that worker should lose access. Their recorded service history stays. Removing a crew member is different from that person deleting their own account, which has separate deletion consequences.

Lesson 7 — History and exports

On the machine's Logs tab, filter by service category, read recorded notes, and open an attached receipt image. Pending local logs should not be confused with synced shared history.

An owner on Solo or higher can use Setup → Download history CSV for one machine, or Settings → Download all maintenance history (CSV) for the garage. Confirm the file actually saved and open it to check the records. CSV supplies maintenance records for your own recordkeeping; it does not guarantee a tax deduction, warranty acceptance, or resale price.

If export is unavailable or fails inside an older mobile app, log into the same EquipHours account in a browser and export there. Mobile file-saving support varies by installed app version; a recently improved native exporter should not be assumed present in every released app.

Lesson 8 — Plans, billing, account controls, and legal pages

Settings displays the account profile, current plan, and machines used. An owner selects Upgrade to compare plans. A crew member asks the owner to handle plan changes.

On the web, selecting a paid plan opens checkout. After checkout, the subscription-status screen confirms activation. If confirmation is pending, use Check again or review Settings. If charged, do not make another purchase while activation is unresolved.

A compatible installed app can use its platform purchase flow and Restore purchases. Use the original store account and the correct EquipHours login. A pending purchase or activation notice is not a reason to buy again. Older app versions may say purchasing is unavailable; update through the official store or contact support. Read Terms of Use and Privacy Policy from the plans screen.

For a web-billed subscription, use Settings → Manage billing. For an Apple/Google subscription, manage cancellation in that store's subscriptions settings. Canceling a subscription and deleting an EquipHours account are different actions.

Delete account requires password confirmation and is permanent. An owner deletes the company, equipment, history, and crew accounts; a crew account deletion also deletes logs that person recorded. Read the displayed consequences carefully. Owner account deletion cancels web billing, but does not cancel Apple or Google subscriptions; cancel those in the store first. Do not use deletion as troubleshooting.

Your five-minute demonstration

Use a clearly labeled demo account and fictional machine, never someone else's working garage. Prepare the account while online. Show paid-only features only when that account actually has the plan.

1. 0:00 — Discover: “How many machines do you maintain, and who records the work?” Explain the fit in one sentence.
2. 0:45 — Garage: Show or create one demo mower, its current reading, and the identification fields.
3. 1:45 — Reminder: Open Setup and save one sample interval. Explain that the customer will use their machine manual's real interval.
4. 2:30 — Service: Choose Fast Log, enter the reading, add “Demo service entry,” and save. Show it in Logs and confirm Synced.
5. 3:30 — Schedule: Show where calendar and meter work appear. If relevant, show a crew invitation or paid export without emailing an unsolicited invite or making a purchase.
6. 4:15 — Match: Recommend the smallest fitting plan. Free is a legitimate starting point. Have them open your own share link and perform their first machine setup themselves.

If the connection fails, explain the queue honestly and resume once synced. End with a useful next step: “Add the machine you use most and set the next service reminder.”

Questions and objections you should be ready to answer

“I already have a notebook or spreadsheet.” That can work. Show the specific difference they need: a shared garage, field entry, visible due work, or searchable category history. Do not pressure someone whose current process meets their needs.

“Will it pull the hours automatically?” No. A person enters engine hours or miles. A meter-update reminder can prompt that routine.

“Can my seasonal crew use it?” Home and higher support multiple users without per-user subscription pricing. Each person joins through an individual invitation.

“Can I use it for my house?” Yes. Homeowners can track generator and lawn equipment; plan choice depends on machine count, reminders, and people, not whether they operate a business.

“Why am I being asked to upgrade?” Check the trigger: a third machine exceeds Free; a second active maintenance reminder exceeds Free; a second person needs Home or higher; CSV and alerts need Solo or higher.

“Why did the reminder not change?” Confirm you logged the correct category on the correct machine, that sync completed, and that the entry appears in history. Read the next due value. Do not make duplicate entries while diagnosing.

“Why are my machines missing?” Confirm the login and garage. An invitation joins the owner's garage; creating a new owner account makes a separate one. Reconnect before assuming records are gone.

“Can I backdate or edit a mistaken log in the interface?” The current Quick Log records the current date and does not offer a date picker; the displayed history does not offer a general edit-log control. Contact support for a correction instead of inventing replacement entries or deleting a machine.

“I cannot log in / forgot my password.” Check the email used and the password visibility control. The current login screen has no self-service reset link; contact support. Never ask a customer to send their password.

“The invite doesn't work.” It may be used, expired, or unavailable under the current plan. Ask the owner for a fresh invite and confirm the intended email/garage.

“I paid, but I still see Free.” Check the original purchase channel and account, reconnect, read the pending status, and try the relevant confirmation/restore action. Escalate with receipt details if needed; do not repurchase.

“Does this guarantee fewer breakdowns?” It helps people organize maintenance. Outcomes depend on accurate readings, correct schedules, and actually doing the work. No savings, safety, tax, or warranty guarantee is offered.

How to share and get credit

Open Residual Apps, find EquipHours, and copy your own current product share link or QR. Test the destination before using it. Do not replace it with the generic app homepage, another Insider's link, a guessed referral code, or an equipment crew-invite QR. A crew invitation grants access to an existing garage; it is not your sales referral link.

Have a new customer begin from your link before registering, preferably in the same browser. Switching devices, blocking browser storage, existing accounts, and store handoffs can affect attribution; do not promise credit across an unverified path. Use your dashboard's current EquipHours commission terms and activity to check results. A link click or free signup is not a paid sale, and an annual subscription does not mean a monthly commission payment. Refunds, cancellation, eligibility, and payment terms affect earnings.

Disclose your relationship plainly near a recommendation: “I'm an EquipHours affiliate and may earn a commission if you purchase through my link.” Do not invent earnings projections, make up customer testimonials, or quote a commission amount from an old screenshot. Focus on the app's value and the customer's real fit.

Example introduction: “How are you keeping track of mower hours and the last oil change? EquipHours lets you record service and see the next reminder. I can show you one machine in five minutes. I'm an affiliate and may earn a commission if you buy through my link.”

Example follow-up after an invited demonstration: “Were you able to add your busiest machine and set its reminder? If you tell me which step you're on, I can point you to the right section of the training.”

Support handoff

For product or billing issues, contact support@equiphours.com, as listed on the official contact page. Include the account email, company/garage, affected machine, device/browser and app version, exact steps, error wording, and whether the sync indicator shows queued work. For billing, include purchase channel and a receipt/reference with sensitive payment details removed. Never include passwords or full card numbers. Keep customer-identifying screenshots out of public posts.

For a referral-credit question, use Residual Apps' current support route and your dashboard evidence. Do not promise an earnings adjustment yourself.

Practice and readiness check

Before promoting EquipHours, complete these in your own demo account:

• Create one machine with the correct meter unit, save one reminder, and explain what anchors it.
• Record a demo service, find it in Logs, and confirm Synced.
• Explain the difference between calendar reminders and Next up by meter.
• State Free's two-machine, one-reminder, one-user limits and why a second user needs Home.
• Explain that offline log saving does not include offline photo upload.
• Locate the relevant export, invitation, billing, restore, and support controls; distinguish any paid or platform-specific requirements.
• Copy the correct personal EquipHours share link, include an affiliate disclosure, and distinguish a click from a paid sale.

Quick answers: three machines/one user → Solo; two machines/two users → Home; eleven machines → Crew; offline receipt preview → not proof of attachment; paid but not activated → verify/restore/support, not a second purchase; green status → tracked reminders clear, not a safety certification.