Today more than ever, fuel costs are a big concern for any company running large trucks and other industrial equipment.
This is especially true with units such as or septic trucks as well as any other vehicles that spend a great deal of time idling while using up precious fuel.
There is no denying the fact that such vehicles consume much more fuel than most other vehicles currently on the roads.
All of this adds up to increased costs for a business that must be analyzed frequently to determine fuel efficiency and costs that keep a business running.
There are a number of ways in which fuel costs for septic trucks can be reduced as long as operators and drivers are taught a few fuel-saving techniques.
Keep RPM's Down Since septic trucks spend a lot of time either idling or running while not moving, it is important to understand the relationship all of this has on fuel usage.
The basic idea to keep in mind is that an increased load on the engine causes higher RPMs, which in turn creates increased fuel usage.
By keeping an engine load smaller in weight, a septic truck can work much more efficiently and certainly consume less fuel.
Some of the things that put excess load on a truck's engine include using hoses that are too small for the job, running hoses for longer distances than necessary, and using hoses that are left coiled instead of pulled out straight.
In all three cases, friction and pressure within the hose is higher, which translates into the engine having to work harder to pump, the result being higher RPMs.
By using the largest hose possible for a job, waste material moves through faster, reducing the possibility of clogging or pressure building up so that a pump has to suction more vigorously.
Likewise, parking a truck as close to the job site as possible enables the use of a shorter length of hose, which also makes a job easier for the septic truck's engine.
Improperly Working Equipment Besides the obvious potential for safety issues, damaged equipment or any that is not working properly is another reason why so much fuel is wasted.
A hose with even the smallest leak could cause a pump and its engine to work harder, increasing RPMs as a result.
Gasket leaks do the same thing, causing hoses to lose suction capability.
Filter bags should be inspected to ensure that there are not any holes, since material passing through will cause damage to the blower and weaken it.
As a result, the engine has to work harder to make the pump do the same amount of work.
It is likewise important to keep all airways clean and clear, since blockages will affect pumped material passing through hoses and into the tank, once again creating an increase in RPMs.
Work Smarter, Not Harder Whatever is necessary should be done to make the job of an operator and also the truck easier by: always using a nozzle on the end of hoses; being sure to use the right size and length of hose; and by not attempting to suction too quickly.
Automatically setting the pumps wide open can possibly cause build up and clogs to happen.
A good operator should be able to judge how to run a septic truck, preferably as low as possible, and still get a sufficient amount of work - if not more - done by not having to deal with high pressure issues, increased friction, or clogs forcing work to stop completely.
Every septic truck, just like every automobile and every other piece of machinery, has its ideal running speed where performance is peak for the amount of fuel being consumed.
Finding that happy medium through correct procedures is what will keep fuel consumption - and costs - to a minimum!