QUESTION:
The 2-inch suction hose that came with my used truck is collapsing at the worst moments, not that there would ever be a good time to collapse. What do I need to know about suction hoses that'll keep me pumping?
Roger Schultz
Memphis, Tenn.
ANSWER:
Like anything else in the market today, there is good stuff and there is not-so-good stuff. Then you throw in the old adage, "You get what you pay for." But what you need is a 2–inch reinforced vacuum hose. A good quality vacuum hose will have a strong, wire reinforcement wound throughout from beginning to end. And as time goes on, the reinforced hose can weaken, and like anything else, it's time to replace it.
A variety of hose dealers and manufacturers provide good products. Talk to them and get educated as much as possible about your choices. I'm sure your hose distributor will be more than happy to come out and sell you a hose that won't collapse at the worst moment.
Not only should your suction hose from the wand to the truck be reinforced, but make sure your connection from the primary to the secondary, and the secondary to the pump is reinforced hose. When your hose collapses in any of these points, your system will not function. If you use the right hoses on your truck, you'll keep pumping efficiently and making money.
Look to the transmission
QUESTION:
The vacuum system on my truck is powered by an auxiliary engine-driven pump. I don't have any complaints about the unit, but I'd like to convert my vacuum system to a PTO drive. How do I complete the conversion?
Ned Harper
Savannah, Ga.
ANSWER:
It's possible you have an engine-driven system because there is no auxiliary port on the transmission. To install a PTO system on your truck, the transmission must have a port to hook up the PTO. To find out if you have a port, you'll have to crawl under the truck and take a look. If it does not have that port, then one cannot be added. In that case, stick to your engine-driven system and look to get a PTO system on your next truck.
Don't forget the oil catch muffler
QUESTION:
I notice the oil catch muffler on my truck is the last thing in the pumping system. It comes after the pump, so does that mean it's
not needed?
Tom Durant
Little Rock, Ark.
ANSWER:
The oil catch muffler is the last piece of the puzzle because it catches (as its name indicates) excess oil thrown off by the pump. The pump has an oiler that lubricates the rotor as it spins at a high rate and the vanes slide against the inside of the pump. Obviously, without the oil the vanes cause the pump to overheat and threaten the pump's performance and longevity.
Just a side note: Make sure you are using the oil that is prescribed by the manufacturer. Not all pumps use the same oil.
The oil doesn't stay in the pump forever and it passes to the oil catch muffler. In this day and age of carefully scrutinized environmental regulations, even the smallest amount of oil spilled on the ground is prohibited. This makes the oil catch muffler a vital part to the overall vacuum system.
And while you're paying attention to the oil catch muffler, don't forget to empty the oil in the appropriate container and dispose of it in a legal way as required in your local area. Make sure you know the regulations for your area.
If you don't empty the oil every day, you'll be headed for trouble. Just like emptying the secondary everyday, to forget this step means trouble. The oil catch muffler only holds so much oil, and like the secondary, it is nothing but trouble when full.
The best time to empty the oil catch muffler is at the end of the workday. It's too easy to forget the procedure in the morning, when employees get to work and are ready to hit the road.
