4 Essential Tips for Extending the Working Life of Your Vacuum Truck
After purchasing one of the best vacuum trucks for sale on the market, you might think you’re in pretty good shape. Which you are, but that’s only half the battle. If you aren’t properly maintaining your machine, you are sure to face trouble. Issues such as breakdowns or repairs are not only costly, but they decrease customer satisfaction and create major delays.
Don’t worry, though! You can extend the life of your vacuum truck by ensuring that you keep up on proper maintenance. FlowMark trucks are American made and built to last, but as an owner, you have a responsibility to keep things running smoothly! Keep reading to learn more about the advice we have to offer.
1.) Create a daily maintenance checklist.
Proper maintenance begins with a daily checklist. Tasks such as oil changes and tire rotations are important, but what you do day in and day out matters first and foremost. Here are a few suggestions we have:
Proper Shut Down:
Getting your vacuum truck powered down at the end of the day isn’t just about turning off the engine. Make sure it powers all the way down, no lights are left on, and do a quick inspection to look for any leaks.
Open Drain Valves:
If there is one thing you don’t want, it’s water left behind in the lines. Be sure to flush it all out by opening the valves. This will allow excess water and debris to drain out, plus it also improves air circulation throughout the systems.
Safe Storage Space:
Pay attention to where you are leaving your vehicle overnight. If you are parking in a garage or indoors, this would be ideal. But if you park outside, try to park somewhere safe, such as in the shade. This will shield your truck from the summer heat.
2.) Implement a weekly maintenance schedule.
Now that you have a daily routine established, what about the weekly duties? We have some advice for that, too!
Maintain Fluid Levels:
To begin, put all cylinders in the retracted position. Once this is done, you will want to keep an eye out. If any of them read low, they will need to be refilled right away. This includes any fluid in the hydraulic tank or oil in the blower. Keeping up on the fluid levels will be the quickest way to tell if there is a leak somewhere.
Flush Vacuum Pump:
Once a week, you will need to flash the vacuum pump. This will help to get out any of the leftover debris and will improve the longevity of various systems.
Check and Clean Filters:
Filters play an important role, as they help keep things clean and running smoothly. The filters you need to check out once a week are the water and final filters.
3.) Set up a monthly maintenance routine.
When it comes to setting up a monthly schedule, try to pick a consistent day and stick with it! If you plan on doing everything on the 1st, do it on the 1st. Or if you’re doing it on the 15th, do it on the 15th. Deviating from this schedule can create issues!
Check the Electrical System:
If your electrical system goes down, it only spells trouble. Inspect your truck for any loose, damaged, or frayed wiring. If you spot an issue, take the measures to get it repaired right away! Should your electrical system malfunction, other systems are bound to fail as a result.
Maintain the Body Hoist:
To do this step, inspect the upper and lower trunnion ends on the cylinders, lifting levels, frame, valve, cross shafts as well as the pump. Follow your hose lines and look for any damages, ensuring that the hose ends are tight. Also, inspect the mounting for any possible loose connections.
Check the Intake Hose:
Due to the fact that these hoses are made of rubber and fabric, they are prone to wear and tear. Some level of breakdown is unavoidable, but there are measures that you can take to slow the process, including rotating the hose and repairing any holes as you spot them.
4.) Don’t forget about your annual maintenance!
Just because these next tasks only come around once a year doesn’t mean that they can be skipped!
Change the Hydraulic Filters:
While you only have to change the hydraulic filters once a year as a standard maintenance, going for twice a year is an even better idea. It all depends on how much you utilize your vacuum truck. The harder it’s pushed, the more important it is to keep up on these tasks.
Flush the Hydraulic System:
While you’re already in the hydraulic system switching out the filters, also be sure to give it a good flush! Pull the plug and drain out all of the water from the tank and fluid reserve. Once this step is complete, fill the tank back up. Fire up the engine and check all of the systems.
Purchase from FlowMark
If you want a piece of machinery that is built to last, make your next purchase from FlowMark. You can view our vacuum trucks for sale on our website and review the various options we have to choose from. Plus, all of our machines are customizable, so we can create the perfectly tailored truck for your business.
To find out more about what we do or to get a quote, contact us today! Because we understand how valuable your time is, we can guarantee that you will have a quote in your email before you are even off the phone.
However, service doesn’t stop just because you’ve driven off the lot. Our team is prepared to help you keep up on the service and maintenance of your vacuum truck. All of our machines are manufactured right here on location in Kansas City, ensuring that we know the equipment inside and out. If there is anything that should occur or you need a replacement hose or part, we are just a phone call away to get you helped out!