Eric Zuech is proud of the 2012 Kenworth T800 vacuum truck purchased by Zuech’s Environmental Services, the company he co-owns with his brother, Vinnie, in Franklinville, New York.
Built out by Transway Systems, the truck sits squarely at the intersection of pretty, practical and powerful. Its distinctive red paint job — which includes mirror finish graphics from Design Art — helps boost the company’s brand-recognition efforts.
A 4,300-gallon steel tank minimizes disposal runs and maximizes productivity, while a hoist, full-opening rear door and vibrator systems make cleaning the tank much easier. A 950 cfm 4310 blower made by National Vacuum Equipment brings the power.
Zuech opted for a blower instead of a vacuum pump because the truck is also used to clean catch basins and car wash pits, which require moving a lot of grit and other debris. “It also works good for jetting a manhole, where we need to evacuate liquid as we’re jetting,” he says. “It works fantastic for that.
“This truck is more versatile than our other septic trucks,” Zuech says. “It opens the doors to chase after work we normally wouldn’t go after.”
The vehicle, formerly used to haul water in the oil and gas industry, also features a 550 hp Cummins ISX engine tied to an 18-speed Fuller transmission (Eaton Vehicle Group); stainless steel hose trays; aluminum wheels, fuel tank and blower cabinet; chrome visor, bug shield and stacks; a 20-inch top manway; LED work light in the back; sight glasses; and a digital Garnet SeeLevel indicator. The interior is fitted with air-ride driver’s seat, stereo, AC and power accessories.
Zuech also praises the hoist and hydraulically operated, fully opening rear door. “Before, emptying the tank always posed convenience and safety issues,” he says. “It used to take hours to clean the tanks out. But with the hoist and fully opening rear door, it takes only minutes.”
The truck’s spotless appearance reflects a companywide emphasis on clean vehicles. “We live in a society that bases everything on first impressions,” he says.
To clean vehicles, the company bought a hot-water pressure washer made by Alkota Cleaning Systems, equipped with 200 feet of hose and mounted in the shop. “It’s the most-used piece of equipment we own,” he says. “Our guys take a lot of pride in their trucks, so they’re constantly washing them. If you put the pressure washer in a good location and make it easy to use, guys will use it more often.” Cleaning trucks regularly — especially in winter, when road-salt buildup is an issue — also helps truck bodies last longer by reducing corrosion rates, he adds.
