Sludge left in the tank of a vac truck for sale reduces its storage capacity and becomes increasingly difficult to remove the longer it remains. If left sitting for a long period of time or during low temperatures during the winter season, sludge can become even more compacted within the confines of the storage portion of the vehicle. Though cleaning may seem to be daunting and difficult work, there are several methods for clearing out these undesirable contents from that underground storage receptacle.
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Through the Manhole – Generally, vacuum trucks come equipped with what is known as a top and a rear manhole, both of which are used to access the interior of the tank and to remove sludge build-up.
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Vibrator – If a vacuum truck comes equipped with a fitting, or if one is installed, a machine known as a vibrator can be attached to the fitting. Once it has been secured, the vibrator sends a series of strong vibrations throughout the tank, which aids in breaking up the sludge by loosening it from the interior surfaces. After loosening the contents, water can be inserted through the top manhole while the vehicle is parked on a slope to remove the loosened contents. The parking angle must be sufficient enough so the waste can drain through the rear manhole.
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Adding Water – In the event that the vacuum truck that does not support a fitting for the vibrator, there is another method that works in a similar fashion. Water can be added to the tank contents and the vehicle driven around with the water still inside. This allows for the water to loosen the waste by being tossed around by the natural truck vibrations caused while being driven on the road. The rougher the road, the better.
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Sharp Rod – Another more direct approach requires the use of a sharp rod and the two manholes. Using the top and rear manholes, one worker jabs at the waste until it is loose enough to be removed. Depending on the amount of waste and how compact it is, this may be a difficult task to complete and requires a great deal of physical labor. It would be better to loosen a little sludge, add water and drive around, then dump the result, repeating the process as often as necessary to remove all the sludge.
Waste Dumping Laws
Whatever method to clean the tanks is chosen, the dumping of waste material must comply with the laws of the state and local municipality where the material is being disposed. Illegally disposition of waste can lead to problems for both the vacuum truck company and the environment.
There are several methods that can be used for cleaning the portion of a vac truck for sale that holds the waste material. Regardless of the method chosen, workers must protect themselves and the environment by following any state or local laws before disposing of the contents of the vehicle’s holding receptacle. Cleaning any accumulated sludge from a vacuum tank allows for more holding capacity and helps keep the vehicle from developing more serious problems with further usage!
