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:

I’ve noticed that when my truck is close to getting full the ball in the primary jumps up prematurely and closes off my supply line when I still have room for about 75 to 100 more gallons. It seems to do this when I’m at the bottom of a customer’s tank and the hose is sucking air. The truck “jumps” a bit because of the free air entering my truck, and this must make the ball jump in the primary [closing it off].

Yesterday I pumped a tank holding 780 gallons of liquid, and the truck jumped a few times and plugged the primary off. My truck should be able to hold about 825 gallons. Are there any tips or tricks around this without modifying my primary? I have a low-profile 12-inch manway/primary combo.

Answers:

Change your primary to one of the two-ball configurations with a clear sight glass.

You can’t suck air when the truck tank is near full. Also, you can’t use a hollow rubber float ball. It will grow in a vacuum. Use a solid rubber or hollow stainless steel ball instead.

Question:

I am setting up a home office for my pumping/Title 5 business. Please share your ideas about computer software, filing systems, etc. Right now, I have a yearly calendar notebook and five boxes filled with invoices . . . There’s got to be a better way! How do you do it?

Answers:

I just use Quickbooks. I update my Quickbooks about once a week. I leave all my pumping slips in a little box. Then once a week take all the slips and enter them into Quickbooks. I know they make software for pumping. But Quickbooks seems to work fine for me.

Yes, Quickbooks. I use the online version. Anywhere I have access to the Internet, I have access to my books. With a printer in the truck, I’m able to do invoices from my smartphone.