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Trucks + Get AlertsThere’s something for every pumper to appreciate in the collection of 2014 Classy Truck entries. We see smaller, compact vacuum trucks perfect for maneuvering suburban territory to serve grease trap customers and rigs with larger tanks designed to travel the countryside and take on septic tank waste from several customers before disposal.
If you’re looking to add a little bling to your workday, you’ll see trucks with more complex paint schemes, graphics and wraps, and dripping with chrome accessories. If you prefer simple, stripped-down trucks built for hard work day after day, you’ll find that here too.
But they’re all work trucks first. So look for features like heated collars, oversized valves and powerful vacuum pumps to keep any sludge moving freely. And for all-day pumping convenience, look for ample storage for supplies and job site accessories, as well as creature comforts on the interior.
Take a good look at our 2014 entries and let us know which one you would most like to see parked in your garage. Your pick will help a panel of judges at COLE Publishing choose the winner. The Classy Truck of the Year and its owner will be featured on the cover of the February 2015 issue of Pumper, the issue distributed at the WWETT (Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport) Show.
After you check out all the photos and descriptions, click here to vote for your favorite truck. You have until Dec. 20 to make your vote count. One vote per IP address allowed.
JANUARY
Brian’s Septic Service, Tallahassee, Fla.
Brian Miller bought a white 2012 International WorkStar 7500, built out by Imperial Industries with a 4,000-gallon aluminum tank and vacuum provided by a National Vacuum Equipment Challenger 607 heavy-duty pump. There’s secure supply storage to spare in three customer toolboxes and a Garnet SeeLevel gauge with in-cab display measures loads. The truck is used for residential septic and grease trap service.
FEBRUARY
J.L. Rishel Co., South Williamsport, Pa.
Jim Rishel runs an all-burgundy 2007 Volvo VED12 built out by J&J Truck Bodies and Trailers with a 4,600-gallon steel tank and Fruitland 500 cfm pump. The truck has aluminum hose trays and front wheels, three 4-ianch intakes, a 4-inch discharge and work lights on the sides and rear. The cab is set up for comfort with spring ride, AC, cruise control, iPod- and Sirius satellite-ready stereo. The truck hauls mainly residential seepage.
MARCH
Ron’s Septic Tank and Drain Service, Paducah, Ky.
Ron Morris maintains a 1999 Kenworth T-800 built out by Advance Pump & Equipment with a 3,600-gallon aluminum tank and Moro PM100T vacuum pump. A 200-gallon freshwater compartment in the tank feeds an Advance Pump JT1030 3,000 psi toolbox jetter system with remote control and air hose reel. The refreshed engine has more than a million miles. The rig serves residential septic and commercial customers.
APRIL
Aqua Drain Sewer Services Inc., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Yanick Brule drives a wrapped up 2013 International 7500 built out by Transway Systems with a 3,000-gallon steel tank and Fruitland 500 vacuum pump. Convenience features include rear work lights, a stainless steel toolbox, stainless diamond-plate hose racks, 4-inch inlet and 6-inch dump valve and several interior creature comforts. The truck splits time between residential septic and flood cleanup work.
MAY
Fiedler’s Your Pumping Specialists, Royalton, Minn.
Jeff and Cindy Tiemann and Ted and Bonnie Popp bought a maroon 2007 International 7600 built by Friedrich’s Auto and Truck Sales, Sartell, Minn., using a 4,300-gallon stainless steel tank built by Advance Pump & Equipment. Vacuum is provided by a Challenger 866 pump from National Vacuum Equipment. The truck is used for a variety of work, including residential septic, car wash waste and grease trap service.
JUNE
Ingram & Greene Sanitation, Atascadero, Calif.
Roger Greene upgraded his fleet with a white 2012 International 4300 with a 2,800-gallon aluminum tank from Progress Tank, and a Fruitland RCF 500 vacuum pump. The truck features rear sight glasses, top and rear manways, aluminum hose trays, 3-inch inlet and 6-inch dump valve, beacon lighting and white painted wheels. It is used mainly for residential septage and grease trap waste and the regular driver is Leonell Torres.
JULY
Big Willy’s Septic Service Inc., Mariaville, N.Y.
Richard Foster runs a white and Big League blue 2010 Peterbilt 335 with a 2,500-gallon steel tank and Challenger 607 vacuum pump built out by Lely Manufacturing. The truck has sight glasses, aluminum wheels, dual black toolboxes, rear work lights, chrome accents including rooftop horn and windshield visor, and 4-inch inlet and dump valve. A one-man operator, Foster uses the truck to pump residential septic systems.
AUGUST
Harding Septic & Portables, Porterfield, Wis.
Bryce Harding runs a red 2013 International WorkStar 7400 with a 5,000-gallon aluminum tank and National Vacuum Equipment Challenger 500 cfm vacuum pump built out by Imperial Industries. The truck features dual toolboxes, aluminum wheels and a chrome package. The cab is set up with wood-grain accents, wrap-around dash, Bluetooth and CB. The rig is used mainly for residential septic and some municipal sludge hauling.
SEPTEMBER
Small Town Septic, Granby, Conn.
Owner Jason LaChance operates a red over white 2006 Mack Granite truck built out by Joe’s Welding Supply in 2012 with a 3,200-gallon steel tank and Masport HXL400 vacuum pump. The truck has a 4-inch inlet and 6-inch dump valves, heated collars to avoid winter freezing, aluminum wheels and chrome accents. The chassis was in storage for six years before build-out. The rig serves mainly residential septic customers.
OCTOBER
Favreau Septic Service, Sterling, Mass.
Larry Favreau added a white and blue 1996 Kenworth T800 with a 4,500-gallon aluminum tank and National Vacuum Equipment Challenger 506 pump from Bay State Truck and Trailer. The truck carries an O’Brien toolbox jetter, and features digital Accu-Level and rear sight glasses, 3- and 4-inch inlets and 6-inch dump valve, heated collars, rear work lights and carries a Crust Buster. The truck is used mainly for septic service and grease trap cleaning.
NOVEMBER
Continental Power Rodding, Sharon, Tenn.
Burney Miles bought a white over blue 2006 Freightliner M2 and had it built out by D & B Vacuum Sales with a 2,500-gallon steel tank and Masport HXL400WV pump. Convenience features include spray-on bedliner on the hose trays, dual stainless steel toolboxes, rear sight glasses and front sight tube, and a bracket to hold a Crust Buster. The truck is used almost exclusively for residential septic work.
DECEMBER
Ace Acme Septic Services, Arlington, Wash.
Todd Summers bolstered the fleet with a Viper red 2013 International LoneStar with a drop axle, 3,600-gallon steel tank and Masport 400 cfm pump built out by Erickson Tank & Pump. The truck features diamond-plate aluminum hose trays, aluminum wheels, chrome accents including visor, mirrors and door handles, rear sight glasses, and top and rear manways. Driver Shawn Graham uses the truck for residential septic service.