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5 Tips to Maintain Water Trucks on the Construction Site
Debris will clog the water tank’s pipelines and eventually cause them to burst. Clean the inside of the water tank at least once a month. Remove the water from the tank, and remove any debris inside the tank. Use a flashlight to help see inside the tank. It shouldn’t take longer than 10 to 20 minutes to clean the tank, and it will save a lot of money that would have otherwise gone to repairing a burst pipeline.
3. Manage the Battery
No vehicle can efficiently run without a functional battery, and battery maintenance is even more prevalent for water trucks. They are heavy vehicles that use a lot of energy, which means the battery can wear out quickly if not properly maintained. The best ways to maintain the battery in the water truck are keeping lights off when possible, installing a battery shut-off switch and not keeping the vehicle off for an extended period. No one wants the battery to die out while on a job site.
4. Do a DOT Inspection
An inspection from the right authorities can go a long way in ensuring the water truck is safe to use and will protect the construction company from liability caused by operating a vehicle that is not road-worthy. The Department of Transportation (DOT) will inspect any water truck to see if they are good for the road and the job site. Get a DOT inspection once per year. This small step will help catch smaller issues before they become big problems.
5. Buy the Right Water Truck
A big reason why water trucks break down is because construction crews buy the wrong truck. Before purchasing a water truck, know how it will be used. Water trucks used in urban areas have different needs than ones that normally work in rural areas. For example, air bag suspension on the rear of construction site water trucks is not recommended because they can pop on bumpy terrain and shift weight in transport. They are completely fine though if the water truck is never going to encounter bumpy terrain.
A construction site water truck needs rear spring suspension systems because they allow the water tank to better move with the frame. Other water trucks don’t need this. Know what the priorities are before buying a water truck will help to avoid a lot of expensive repairs and save time from maintaining a water truck that does not work for the construction crew.
Water trucks are an essential tool for construction crews and doing proper routine maintenance will ensure a water truck continues to run efficiently for years.
About the Author
Sara VanFleet is the Owner of DB Trucks in Glendale Arizona. They are custom truck specialist with expertise in the construction and repair of commercial trucks such as water trucks, box trucks and fire tenders.