Vacuum tank equipment has evolved considerably over the past decade. With the evolution came design changes that made servicing portable restrooms and septic tank cleaning quicker and more efficient. Here you will find examples of pump trucks designed to meet the needs of the portable sanitation industry.
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To the right is an example of a
portable toilet/ restroom service
truck offered by Crescent Tank.
They offer other models and
options. You can learn more about
this portable restroom service truck
manufacturer by clicking on the tab
below.
To the left is an example of a vacuum
service tank offered by Presvac
Systems. They offer other models and
options for either portable toilet/
restroom service vehicles or septic
tank pumping. You can learn more
about this portable restroom service
truck manufacturer by clicking on the
tab below.
To the right is an example of a
portable toilet/ restroom service
truck offered by Satellite
Industries. They offer other
models and options including septic
service trucks. You can learn more
about this portable restroom truck
manufacturer by clicking on the
picture of the portable restroom
vacuum truck.
To the left is an example of a portable
toilet service truck manufactured by
Best Enterprises. They offer other
models to accommodate the septic
tank pumper. You can learn more
about this portable toilet truck
manufacturer by clicking on the
picture of the service vehicle.
Proper attention should be spent prior to purchasing a portable restroom or septic tank service vehicle. Depending on the segment of portable sanitation needs several options are available. We encourage use of a portable restroom septic vacuum tank professional to meet your service vehicle requirements.
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Welcome to the Sanitation Journal where portable restroom operators and septic pumpers around the world keep up with the latest portable sanitation news. Find information on suppliers of portable restrooms, vacuum trucks and deodorant cleaners along with real-life formulas for creating and maintaining business practices as outlined by portable sanitation professionals
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Substantial changes seem to be occurring in the vacuum tank truck industry. Septic tank cleaning and portable toilet
service companies that are looking to either enhance longevity, increasing tank capacity or simply eliminate rust,
are also looking at alternatives in materials to accomplish long term goals. When industry professionals were asked
about the material they would like to specify for their next truck tank, an industry cross-section of 267
professionals responded with 107 choosing aluminum, 102, stainless steel and 58 mild steel. It is important to note
that the answers do not reflect what would take place but instead what they felt was the best move for them to
make. Many sited that they had a difficult time justifying the up- charge in aluminum and stainless stating that with
heavier gauges of mild steel and routine maintenance (re-coating the interior of the tank) that they are victorious
over the rust problem and believe their tanks will provide them with a sufficient return.While aluminum and
stainless have made tremendous strides with industry acceptance during the past five years there is no appearance
that the steel tank is going to disappear anytime soon.
In the portable toilet sector nearly a third stated they were considering utilizing a three compartment tank, noting the
growing need for fresh water to accommodate hand washing in the field. While the response numbers are too small
to reflect an overall trend, they do reveal an openness in researching options that five years ago would have not
been on the table for discussion.
I have to admit, the first aluminum tank took me by surprise and in my often not-so-open-minded opinion were
never going to make the long haul. I viewed them in the same light as I did the one-ton portable toilet trucks that
took the industry by storm and just as quickly left the industry a failed mess. Just for fun, we estimate that more
than 1,500 aluminum tanks for septic and portable toilet cleaning companies hit the road last year and are pumping
in the dollars for their new owners.
Manufacturers of vacuum tank equipment differed in reasoning for the new trends but had some interesting
comments about materials and how they apply to the industry. John Olson, an engineer for Satellite Industries
explained, “Stainless is the most corrosion resistant of the three materials and vacuum truck tanks built from
stainless will last almost indefinitely. Stainless is also the most costly. Both aluminum and steel have corrosion
issues. Steel oxidizes (rusts) and after prolonged contact with water, waste and salt will eat completely through a
truck’s tank. Aluminum also oxidizes (corrodes) after prolonged contact with water, waste, salt and pits forming
holes through the material. The length of service life becomes the main question behind both of these materials. We
have good history on steel portable toilet truck tanks to know that they will easily make 10 years depending on how
much salt is used. We do not yet have this same history for aluminum tanks in the liquid waste industry.”
Technology:
“In regard to technical information on the materials,” Olson shares, “mild steel and stainless steel weigh virtually the
same. Technically, stainless weighs 98% that of steel. Aluminum weighs slightly more than 43% the weight of
steel. Typically most portable toilet truck tank manufacturers use aluminum with the ASTM designation 5454.
ASTM 5454 aluminum is the most corrosion resistant aluminum available for the manufacture of portable restroom
and septic truck tanks. This alloy also has excellent strength for aluminum at about 85% the strength of the
equivalent thickness of mild steel. Taking strength issues into consideration, a typical aluminum vacuum truck tank
will weigh about 50 - 60% the weight of a steel tank,” he closed.
Out of North Carolina, Hank Vanderveen of Lely Manufacturing agrees with Olson about the strength properties of
steel. “Mild steel has been used for a long time in our industry. It is very strong and durable,” he explained.
Vanderveen went on to explain the benefits of mild steel. “We have customers with vacuum tanks from the late 70s
and are still using them every day.”
Coatings have been used to prohibit rust within the portable toilet truck tank for many years in which Vanderveen
agrees, but notes, “You can coat the inside, and most manufacturers do, but eventually you will have a rust
problem. Vanderveen believes that the growing market for hand washing facilities in the portable sanitation industry
has been at least one of the driving forces behind the move to materials resistant to rust but is quick to note that
just because a tank is made of aluminum or stainless steel, that in itself, does not make the tank suitable for potable
water. The material deals with the rust problem only. Hank is referring to federal regulations mandating that water
delivered to a hand wash facility be potable.
The real issue with the portable sanitation industry is with hand wash stations. Portable restroom operators do not
want to put rusty or brown looking water in a hand wash station for their customers to wash their hands, he
said. The advantage with aluminum and stainless steel is that you do not have a rust problem. Aluminum is
lighter, therefore you can have a larger tank capacity and carry more waste. Vanderveen explained, there are
considerations that have to be kept in mind when constructing an aluminum tank. “You have to make sure you have
enough supports and mount it on the chassis correctly. Aluminum will handle all the chemicals used in our
industry,” he said.
Steel Portable Toilet/Restroom Truck Tanks
In reference to steel tanks with brass valves and aluminum couplings, Vanderveen noted that many people
observed disintegration of coupling but explained, that it was due more to the reaction of different metals(being
used together) rather then the assumption that chemicals were the cause. “Also, tanks are manufactured out of a
marine grade aluminum while the couplings are not. Stainless steel in the same thickness is a heavier material, will
handle all products and is, of all available materials, mild steel is the least expensive followed by aluminum and then
stainless steel.”
Vanderveen noted that due to the superior strength of stainless steel that some manufacturers will use a thinner
gauge in order to shave off some of the weight associated with the steel products.
In his book ‘Pumper 101’, Bob Carlson of Glendale Welding shares his thoughts on the use of tank materials, laying
out the advantages and disadvantages of each. The following is reprinted with permission from his book:
Advantages of Carbon Steel on vacuum tanks are durable and have reasonably long work life. Not so heavy as to be
a burden and a liability on a truck chassis. Cost is very economical. The least expensive of the three types of tanks.
When the interior of the tank is sandblasted and coated with the right epoxy, the tank life can be extended by many
years. Even with the coating, the carbon steel tank will be less expensive than the aluminum and the stainless steel.
If repairs become necessary, most welding shops in your area can work on the unit. Carbon Steel can be easily
worked on by most welding shops.
Disadvantages in Construction of Trucks
Compared to aluminum, a carbon steel tank cannot carry as much payload. Depending on your region and the
materials you pump, the possibility of rusting could occur, shortening the life span of the tank. To avoid rusting,
some interior coating may be necessary adding to initial cost.
Advantages of Aluminum
Cosmetically, the polished aluminum looks great with the mirror finish. The appearance is unmatched in terms of
brightness, cleanliness, and pure sparkle. The aluminum tank weighs approximately 40% of a steel tank allowing for
a greater payload. For example, when a 1500 gallon carbon steel is put on a truck, an aluminum tank of 2000
gallons can be used. The reduced weight creates less stress on the portable toilet truck chassis, theoretically adding
more life to the truck.
Disadvantages of Aluminum
“In Constructing a vacuum tank, the cost is considerably higher than carbon steel. General rule of thumb is that it
will run at least $10,000.00 more to buy an aluminum Portable restroom truck . And more on larger trucks.. The
polished aluminum requires attention due to the fact that rain, dirt and debris show up on the mirror finish dulling
the look, More cleaning and maintenance are required. Be aware of the fact that not all welding shops are set up to
work on aluminum. It does not weld like carbon steel. So make sure there are people in your area that are qualified
and able to work with aluminum. Otherwise, when work or repairs do need to be made on the tank, you are in
trouble.” A valid point, and resources should e sought out in advance but more than ever shops are popping up,
capable of repairing aluminum.
Advantages of Stainless Steel
Resistant to all chemicals, no rust problems. Tanks could last a long, long time, and then be transferred to new
trucks as trucks wear out. This is the primary benefit of stainless. Theoretically, the tank lasts forever.
Disadvantages of Stainless
Front door cost is like aluminum; Very pricey, but somewhat offset by the incredibly long life of the tank. Weight
of the tank is similar to carbon steel, so payloads are similar. For the extra cost there is no extra payload, only extra
life.
Keith Huber has a confidence level in all three materials but expresses the real issues as the understanding of what is
important to the individual operator. “To make a decision on which material to choose for your new service truck,
each individual has to look at their particular operation and determine what is their highest priority, he explained.
The priority list can be broken down into three categories: corrosion, weight and initial cost.
Keep in mind that all three material choices are excellent and will provide a long enduring truck tank and system
provided they are built by a reputable manufacturer. If corrosion resistance is your highest priority, then you would
choose stainless steel first, aluminum second and carbon steel third. If weight is your highest priority, you would
choose aluminum first, stainless steel second and carbon steel third.
If the initial cost was your highest priority, you would choose carbon steel first, aluminum second and stainless
steel third, continued Huber. Outlining the advantages and disadvantages of each, Huber explained, Carbon steel is
by far the widest used material for portable toilet truck tank construction. Carbon steel is less expensive, can be
painted to resist corrosion and easily repaired in the event of an accident or breakage of any kind. “You can always
find someone in your area that is familiar with cutting, bending, welding and painting carbon steel. The only
disadvantage of carbon steel is it is the heaviest of all materials and rust will occur any place that paint has chipped
off from day-to-day operation he said.
Stainless steel is an excellent choice for a portable restroom service vehicle unit because of its excellent corrosion
resistance, its beauty, ease of maintenance and strength of material.
Because corrosion is not a factor, the tank can be made out of thinner material, thus providing a unit of lighter
weight than carbon steel. The disadvantage of stainless steel is that it is sometimes difficult to find a repair shop
that is familiar with working on stainless steel, and stainless steel is very expensive.
In regard to aluminum, Huber explained “aluminum, which is becoming more popular each year, is an excellent
choice because it is corrosion resistant, though not as corrosion resistant as stainless steel. It can be polished to a
bright finish and is beautiful. It is lighter weight, allowing you to haul more product on a light GVW truck.
Aluminum is more expensive than carbon steel, but less expensive than stainless steel.
But amidst Hubers’ glowing report he explains, the disadvantage to aluminum is that its bright finish will fade over
the years and will require periodic buffing to maintain its beauty. It sometimes is difficult to find someone that can
properly weld aluminum in the event of an accident or breakage, and aluminum is vulnerable to some chemicals.
While aluminum probably offers more advantages, lighter weight, appearance and corrosion resistance all for a cost
slightly higher than carbon steel, it is paramount, however, that aluminum-constructed service truck units are
designed from the ground up to be made of aluminum.
Aluminum can be as dependable and as long-lasting as stainless steel or carbon steel as long as it is properly
designed. Extra engineering is required in all areas of support and special attention has to be paid to ensure that
bolted pieces are joined together using compatible materials with aluminum. For example, you wouldn’t use steel
bolts or brackets on an aluminum part without proper isolation. Aluminum is also vulnerable to flexing. Therefore,
each point of mounting must be carefully engineered and supported properly, or premature failure will appear.
Properly designed aluminum vacuum trucks offer many advantages and can be as dependable as carbon and
stainless.
Concluding his statement, Huber noted, So, if you want to take the three categories; corrosion, weight and initial
cost, and decide which is your highest priority and which is the lesser priority, rate each one of those categories
and your choice will become evident. Bear in mind that no one material offers the best advantage in all categories.
Remember that you can’t go wrong using any one of the materials, but you can choose the material that best fits
your operation and your priorities, he closed.
Vacuum Tank Materials For Liquid Waste Hauling
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Aluminum Tanks*Steel Tanks*Stainless Steel Tanks
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Portable Restroom and Septic Pumper Trucks
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To the right is an example of a portable toilet
service truck offered by KeeVac They offer
other models and options to accommodate the
septic tank as well as grease trap pumper. You
can learn more about this portable toilet truck
manufacturer by clicking on the picture
To the left is an example of a portable toilet service
truck offered by Baystate Truck & Trailer They
offer other models and options to accommodate the
septic tank as well as grease trap pumper. You can
learn more about this portable toilet truck
manufacturer by clicking on the picture
To the left is an example of a portable toilet service
truck offered by L.C. Tank They offer other
models and options to accommodate the septic tank
as well as grease trap pumper. You can learn more
about this portable toilet truck manufacturer by
clicking on the picture
To the right is an example of a portable
toilet service truck offered by Pik Rite
They offer other models and options to
accommodate the septic tank as well as
grease trap pumper. You can learn more
about this portable toilet truck
manufacturer by clicking on the picture
Serving the American Liquid Waste Industry Since 2002