Vacuum truck safety is important. Your vacuum truck is an advanced piece of machinery, which requires special attention to ensure that you’re running it correctly. While designed to be as easy to use as possible, there are several points that you must remember to safely operate this heavy duty equipment.
The primary area that you’ll need to focus on for vacuum truck safety is the tipping function of the tank. Improper use of the tank may not just damage the unit, it can also cause injury.
See what you need to do before each project and how to properly operate your tank tipping feature.Â
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Vacuum truck safety: Pre-start inspection checklist
Before each and every job, it’s important that you inspect key areas of your vacuum truck and maintain them as needed. Doing so will help keep your unit running smoothly and avoid vacuum truck safety issues that can come from poorly preserved equipment.
- Ensure that you’re wearing protective clothing and safety equipment
- Check oil level in vacuum pump – top up if required
- Confirm that thermo fans are spinning when the power take-off is activated
- Check oil level in main hydraulic tank
- Inspect vacuum pump for oil leaks
- Check and monitor vacuum gauge each operation
- Observe if there are increased levels of noise
- Monitor load times between jobs and compare
- Check and monitor pump operating temperature
- Inspect secondary shut-off for contamination – empty if contamination is present
Vacuum truck safety: Tank tipping
Your tank is a crucial element of your vacuum truck, and one that needs the most attention before and during a project or job. This is especially true if the unit includes the tipping feature, which can cause issues for vacuum truck safety.
Safety tips
Before tipping your vacuum truck tank…
- Check that all tyres, frame and suspension are not damaged.
- Ensure that the work area is free of power lines, cables and any other overhead objects.
- Make sure that the truck is on a hard surface, like pavement, so that it stays level when tipping.
- Open the rear door or drain valve and leave it open.
- Do not tip the tank in a high wind. Gusts may cause the truck to tip over.
While tipping your vacuum truck tank…
- Ensure that waste empties evenly from the tank. Excessive material on one side will cause the truck to become unbalanced.
- Stay out of the 10 m crush zone when tipping. Never allow personnel under a raised tank.
- Never drive the truck when tipping the tank.
How to use correctly
To safely raise your vacuum truck tank…
- Remove the door lock-out pins manually from the rear door locks. There is one on each side of the lower rear door.
- Remove the vacuum from the tank by opening the valve at the bottom of the cyclonic secondary.
- Turn the PTO switch to ‘On’ from inside the cab.
- Move to the hydraulic control box located on the passenger side of the vehicle.
- Locate the hoist safety valve. Press it to operate all hydraulic function levers.
- Hold the door lock switch to unlock the rear door locks, which will release in sequence.
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Keep holding the switch until all door locks are fully open, and then release.
Important: Visually inspect that all door locks are completely open before raising the door, otherwise damage may occur. - Flick the door switch to open and hold until the door is fully open, and then release.
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Operate the hoist raise switch to raise and hold the tank until the slurry inside begins to empty, and then release.
Warning: Do not lift the tank past a 45° angle while unloading.
To safely lower your vacuum truck tank…
Remember: Ensure that no one is standing in the area under the tank, near the tank door or nearby before operating.
- Activate the hoist safety valve and hold it, while also holding the hoist raise switch, to lower the tank. Ensure that the tank is sitting on the chassis subframe, before releasing the switch.
- Check that the breakaway vacuum line is sitting correctly and is airtight. Keep hands clear when the tank is tipped.
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Ensure that the seal and door are both free from any waste.
Warning: Damage can occur to the seal or door if debris is present. Use a hose or broom to remove any leftover material. - Activate the hoist safety valve and hold it, while also holding the door switch, to lower the door.
- Activate the hoist safety valve and hold the door lock switch to lock the door. While operating, listen for the sound of the locks engaging.
