Vacuum trucks, the clean-up Ninjas of a variety of large-scale jobs, are essentially tank trucks with a pump that pneumatically sucks sludges, slurries, etc. They then transports these materials by road from one location to another. Vacuum trucks, such as hydrovacs, combination sewer jetters, coded/non-coded and DOT vac trucks, are an indispensable piece of heavy equipment for cities, municipalities, construction companies or any sort of jobsite for that matter that needs an efficient clean-up solution, but they need proper maintenance to make sure they perform optimally and for the full extent of their expected working life.
Maintenance for these vacuum trucks is a year-round job. Specific upkeep measures have to be taken at certain times, and the list we’re putting down below will help you keep tabs on this without ever dropping the ball:
Daily Maintenance
The equipment has to be shut down fully and properly once the day’s work is complete. The drain valves have to be opened up and you have to make sure the systems are water-free. This is especially important during winter, when any residual water that’s still in the system can freeze and cause significant damage to your vacuum truck. If your truck is not going to be working for longer than a day, the tailgate should be propped open with the rear door support, and the debris body has to be partially raised and blocked.
Monthly Maintenance
It’s extremely important that you don’t skip the task of checking fluid levels on a monthly basis, as when they’re low, you run the risk of springing a leak. Wear and tear on intake hoses is another item on your checklist because they are made of rubber and fabric. Rotate the hose often, to reduce wear on one particular spot. Other tasks include checking the air breather, checking the electrical wiring, cleaning out the debris body, and making sure that the water and air separator cyclone unit is functioning optimally.
Annual Maintenance
Change the hydraulic filters, so that all the remnant fluid from the hydraulic tank and fluid reservoir can drain out. Once that is complete, fill with fresh fluids. If you’re not going to use the vacuum truck during extreme winter weather, it is necessary to clean the body of the vacuum truck and apply a fresh coat of primer to avoid corrosion caused by water and snow damage.
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