This feature in Pumper reports noteworthy conversations that take place at the Pumper Discussion Forum, an online forum for industry professionals found at www.pumper.com. Pumper Discussion enables exchange of information and ideas on septic and drainfield installation and maintenance, trucks and equipment, portable sanitation, chemical and additives and much more. Information and advice in “Overheard Online” is offered in good faith by industry professionals. However, readers should consult in depth with appropriate industry sources before applying such advice to a specific business situation.

Question:

We occasionally have jobs where the tank is 150 feet away from the truck and even down 20-plus feet. The pumping gets real slow, even with the big blowers. I’ve heard of adding air down the line somewhere to aid the process. Do you have any other great ideas?

Answers:

Vacutrux Limited sells a lightweight submersible aluminum hydraulic-driven impeller pump that attaches to a 3-inch vacuum hose end, in line with your vacuum truck. The pump gives an extra 75 to 100 feet of lift added to the suction from the vacuum pump on the truck. It comes with a 100-foot hydraulic hose kit to operate with your truck’s hydraulics or a portable hydraulic power source.

◆  ◆  ◆

Actually, it sounds like what you’re asking about is vacuum loading using air conveyance, or breaking up the solid column to lighten the load. Working the end of the hose to take in air along with liquids will speed the waste material through the hose at a high velocity. This method will get you higher lift than using suction loading only, which is lifting a continuous column of liquid waste with no air.

◆  ◆  ◆

“Air conveyance,” I never knew the correct term for it, but it works great. My father taught me this lift trick 40 years ago. We did it with gulps of air versus a steady bleed of air.