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Avoiding clogs is an important part of running any kind of vacuum truck company, since a vehicle that cannot suction is useless. It is also important to consider that depending on the source of the clog, it is possible for such stoppage to actually damage the truck itself. Whether simply an inconvenience, or something more serious with the potential to cause permanent damage, knowing the ways that these trucks get clogs can happen - and how to avoid them - is important for ongoing, efficient use of this heavy-duty commercial vehicle. Right Hose for the Job Not every vacuum hose can handle all the different pumping jobs, which is a basic concept that is usually understood. Many times attempts are made to use hoses that are too thin for a particular pumping job, which invites a number of problems. Depending on the material being evacuated, the truck's motor must work harder in order to provide enough suction when using a thinner hose. In such situations, if material is not freely flowing through the hose, it is an open invitation for a clog to happen. Stoppages can also happen if lengths of different diameter hoses are connected together, since pressure varies in the different sections and can cause a clog somewhere along the line. If the wrong type of hose is used, additional interior friction can cause clogs as well. The best way to pump and prevent any stoppage when happening is to use uniform, larger diameter hoses that are constructed for the job being performed. Check Ball Shutoff Valves Pump blockage due to failure of one or more of the shutoff valves is common, although it is avoidable if a few extra minutes are taken to check the valves regularly. Vacuum truck valves - both the primary and the secondary - are ball versions that operate based on the level of material in the tank; when the tank is filled, the main valve closes. The secondary valve that is in place to catch whatever material might slip past the primary one while it is closing does the same thing. If the valves are not working properly and do not close as they should, material eventually passes the secondary valve and gets into the pumps, causing extensive damage. The ways to prevent such things from happening include checking the primary valve at least once a month to be sure it is in good condition and most importantly, be sure that the ball is moving freely within the wire cage. Primary valves over time will corrode, causing the ball to fall out of the cage; if the ball is not in the cage, the valve is not working at all. Checking the primary valve usually involves getting on top of the truck; however, it is an essential part of truck maintenance and pump preservation which is top priority on any vacuum truck. The secondary valve catches any overflow that has made it past the primary valve; it should be emptied and cleaned daily. These are easier to reach, so there is no valid reason why such a simple examination cannot be done. Excess material in the secondary can indicate that the primary is not functioning as it should. Any fluid that makes it past the secondary could allow pump damage to occur. Keeping up with the two main features of heavy-duty vacuum trucks that are involved with efficient, correct pumping translates into not having to deal with annoying clogs or even worse, damaged pumps that result from any blockages. Regular maintenance of these commercial vehicles and proper use of the equipment should always be required to keep the trucks performing at a high level and keep fleets on the road! Christopher M. Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks. To find out more about Vacuum Truck Sale, go to the main website at:http://www.vacuumtrucksales.net.
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