Proper Septic Truck Care!

While septic trucks are mostly used for dirty suctioning jobs, they still require the same level of care and maintenance as any other vehicle, if not more. Since the vehicle is continuously exposed to liquid waste, its components are more prone to corrosion and disintegration. By giving it the proper care and maintenance, the condition of the vacuum truck can remain relatively close to when it was first purchased and its serviceable life can be considerably extended.

Care of this equipment involves the regular maintenance of all of its components. Like most equipment with truck frames, their maintenance can be categorized into two major parts: the base frame and the vacuum unit components.

Base Frame Maintenance

The main body of the truck is a standard frame which can be used and configured for various applications. Since the frame is generic, it also shares the same elements as other equipment made by the same manufacturer. For example, a certain base frame model can be configured to be used as the base for a cherry picker or a septic truck.

Due to these similarities, the care and maintenance required for each particular part will be quite similar. The most important thing to consider in the maintenance of the base frame is that it should meet the frequency and interval guidelines set forth by the manufacturer. The following are some of the standard maintenance routines for the base frame.

Oil Change - One of the most important aspects of maintenance is changing the oil of the engine and transmission. Oil is the life-blood of any piece of mechanical equipment, as it keeps the metal parts from producing too much heat and friction. The lubricating properties of the oil will eventually diminish due to heat and contaminant build-up such as metal shavings, which is why it is important that it be regularly changed. The timing for the oil change depends upon the mileage intervals set by the manufacturer; for example, some manufacturers recommend an oil change every 10,000 miles.
Tune-Up - Tune-ups involve the checking of certain components of the vehicle, particularly the engine and its ECU, for efficiency and performance. Tuning the engine may also involve adjusting the valve clearance, timing belt, ECU settings, and the replacement of the air filter. Regular tune-ups are important because as the engine works, subtle changes can occur which could reduce its performance. When tuning the engine, mechanics are able to make the necessary adjustments to keep it at peak performance.
Brake and Tire Replacement - Two components that easily wear out on a truck are the brakes and the tires. These two components take the biggest beating every time the equipment is on the road and require critical monitoring, as failure of either one of these components could cause a serious accident.

Vacuum Unit Maintenance

While the base frame requires scheduled maintenance, the vacuum unit requires daily maintenance. This is because it is the part of the vehicle that is exposed to the waste liquid and is more prone to corrosion. Even though a vacuum truck has stainless steel components, it still requires daily cleaning to lengthen the life of the equipment.

Daily Emptying and Washout - Waste liquids are highly corrosive and easily damage metal components. To prevent rust from forming on the components of the vacuum unit, it is advisable to empty the tank's contents daily, followed by flushing the tank to get rid of any remaining debris. The entire unit should also be washed and dried at the end of the day to prevent rust.
Filter Replacement - Some vacuum units are equipped with a filter to separate the liquid and air from the solid debris. This filter will wear out over time and could develop large holes where debris can enter, wearing down the vanes of the vacuum much faster. To prevent this from happening, always replace the vacuum filter as recommended by the manufacturer.
Regular Oil Replacement - Oil replacement is also particularly important to the vacuum pump. Because the pump is designed to draw in liquids, it can also draw in moisture that will contaminate its oil. To prevent early deterioration of the machine, always replace the oil regularly to get rid of any contaminants that could damage the internal components.

When purchasing a vacuum truck, always keep in mind that proper septic truck care is important in order to prevent premature deterioration and to ensure a long service life. Regular maintenance should be performed on all major components of the equipment, including the base frame and the vacuum unit. Proper care and maintenance will ensure this important vehicle will always be ready for whatever dirty job it is given!

Christopher M. Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks. To find out more about Vac Trucks for Sale, go to the main website at: http://www.vacuumtrucksales.net/.

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Maximize Your Vacuum Truck Productivity With Proper Maintenance!

The most vital component of a productive vacuum truck business can be excellent customer service, quality products and an appealing price. When all these factors are combined together, it could be the perfect recipe for a successful business operation. Transposing this into a vacuum truck business means that the services being provided must be of such a quality while maintaining low overhead costs as to result in superior workmanship and service to all customers.

Unlike other businesses, a vacuum truck company's profitability is affected by the level of productivity it accomplishes which is in turn affected by the number of times the equipment is unusable due to breakdowns that prevent the trucks from working. So this scenario must be avoided as much as possible - which leads to the big question: How can productivity be maximized? The answer is so simple that it should be readily apparent - keep all equipment in its best possible shape.

Routine Maintenance

The first way to keep vacuum trucks properly functioning is to institute a sound routine maintenance program. This is essential to ensure that all equipment is regularly checked for minor damage or problems prior to system failure. Some of the things to be regularly examined would include: a visual check for any leaks; hydraulic fluid levels; all hoses for deterioration and air leaks; and careful examination of the control system. It is imperative to remember that this is not a once-in-a-lifetime activity to be sure that the equipment is functional; this is a thorough examination performed on a regularly scheduled basis. A vacuum truck company with a good maintenance program can reap significant savings as compared to the cost to repair something that has broken while being used.

Routine Inspection

A vacuum truck can consistently perform hundreds of jobs - when it is properly maintained. To protect the equipment from any costly problems, a pre-inspection should be conducted prior to every job being handled. Establishing a pre-inspection routine can help any business avoid costly equipment failure from happening. System failures can be prevented if all potential problems are discovered before the job begins. A good pre-inspection can eliminate expenses for costly repairs as well as the downtime created when the truck is out-of-service and unable to handle customer needs.

Keep Up With Technology

In this industry, technological advancements bring changes that improve efficiency but also raise the level of knowledge necessary to keep up with such progress. It must be remembered that with constant change comes an increased responsibility to learn the new technology and implement it into every-day working conditions. The negativity of reduced productivity and revenue loss can be completely prevented if equipment is maintained and technology is leveraged in the proper way. All of this can be averted by taking the above-listed necessary steps to increase efficiency, boost performance and augment productivity.

At the end of the day, the completion of a productive working period without interruptions due to breakdowns, system failure or unwanted repairs in the middle of the job should be of vital concern to every vacuum truck business. Keep that vacuum truck in top shape to increase productivity and the results will be overwhelming!

Christopher M. Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks. To find out more about Vacuum Trucks, go to the main website at: http://www.vacuumtrucksales.net/home.

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Prevent Bucket Truck A/C Problems With Proper Maintenance!

Comfort while operating any vehicle is very important. For bucket truck operators, it helps retain focus on the job being done rather than individual comfort needs. When the A/C unit fails, it causes physical discomfort for the driver. It causes time and money to be spent: time for the repairs of the cooling system to be done and money in the form of not only the repair cost but the value of the time lost while the bucket truck is being repaired.

Since the owners and operators of bucket trucks most likely do not know how to fix such problems, the best solution is to avoid the problem completely by regular preventive maintenance to the A/C unit of the truck. Following are some helpful ideas and tips on how to properly maintain the bucket truck cab's cooling system.

Problem Detection

It should not be difficult to detect the symptoms of a failing cooling system inside a bucket truck. A clogged A/C drain could cause wet carpeting inside the cab during hot, humid days. It is important to check if the drain is working correctly by looking underneath the vehicle. Also, it is actually very normal for there to be some fluid underneath the vehicle when it is initially parked and turned off. The time to be concerned is when there is NO dripped water underneath the truck when not operating; that could indicate that the cooling system is not working properly. Below are some other air conditioning problem indicators.

Sound- When the fan is turned on and unusual sounds are heard, it may indicate some debris in the fan blower.
Smell- When the A/C system is turned on, if it smells musty or unpleasant, this may indicated that mold or mildew is growing inside of the evaporator.
No A/C- When there is no cooled air coming out of the vents, it could indicate a frozen evaporator in the Air Conditioning system.

Problem Resolution

Once the difficulty has been identified, there are certain trouble-shooting items that can be done to correct the problems that are listed below.

Condenser - The air conditioning condenser resembles the radiator and is actually located just in front of it. The hot refrigerant circulates through the condenser; the air flows through the condenser's cooling fins to cool the heated air. Check the condenser regularly to make sure that it is free from debris and properly working. Due to its location at the front of the vehicle, debris can restrict the air flow and prevent the refrigerant from cooling the heated air.
Preventing Mold and Mildew - When the bucket truck is parked, switching the A/C recirculation off can prevent or reduce mold and mildew from building up. If a recirculation switch is not available, when the engine is shut off turning the cooling system away from the maximum air cooling (Max Air) position can be helpful. If this problem continues in spite of the prior attempts and there still remains an unpleasant odor during A/C operations, the only remedy to eliminate the smell is taking the truck to the service department for evaporator cleaning.
Drive Belt - The drive belt is located under the hood; this is one of the very important components of the truck's cooling system. This simple belt causes the compressor to turn every time the engine is turned on. The compressor maintains the circulation of the refrigerant through the system. It is recommended that the belt should be checked periodically to make sure that it is in good shape and free from any obvious wear or cracking. The drive belt should be replaced with a new one when any damage is detected. If the belt becomes too worn or damaged, it could cause the belt to slip or break which would stop the compressor from turning and shut down the air conditioning system.

Severe failures and costly repairs for the truck's air conditioning unit can be prevented by some simple maintenance mentioned above. Don't let problems happen that could be avoided by some basic upkeep on that important A/C unit and avoid being left out in the heat on a hot summer day!

Christopher M. Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks. Click here to find out more about Bucket Trucks.

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