About Septic Tank Trucks
Septic tank trucks are vacuum trucks used to clean out septic tanks, sewer pump stations, portable toilets, and more. Tree care and landscaping companies also incorporate these trucks into their operations for a variety of purposes. Popular manufacturers of septic tank trucks include Freightliner, International, and Mack.
Mack MD6 Septic Tank Truck
How Septic Tank Trucks Operate
Septic tank trucks use suction hoses and vacuum systems to pump feces, sludge, and wastewater out of underground reservoirs into a tank on the truck for transport. Once collected, the tank’s contents are typically taken to a wastewater treatment facility where the water may be processed and used for other applications, such as crop irrigation and fertilization.
Unlike some other styles of tank trucks, septic tank trucks require the operator to leave the cab to access separate controls on the exterior of the truck body. For septic truck operators, this could be as simple as connecting a hose to a septic tank and turning on the vacuum pump.
Septic Tank Trucks For Tree & Landscaping
These trucks can save tree care and landscaping companies time, manual labor, and the need to use additional machinery when creating holes, extracting soil, cleaning up debris, and performing other tasks. A landscaping company, for example, can quickly and precisely remove large amounts of earth to plant a large tree without disturbing underground utilities, nearby established plant beds, or other obstacles.
Depending on the truck, installing a second tank compartment may be possible to transport hundreds of gallons of fresh water to jobsites for watering plants, cleaning tools, and more.
Septic Tank Truck Sizes
Most of these trucks were originally cab and chassis trucks that have been outfitted with septic pump systems and tanks; tank sizes and features will vary. The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of tank trucks also varies, from around 26,000 up to 33,000 pounds (11,800 to 15,000 kilograms), which puts them in the heavy-duty category, although some severe-duty models can have GVWRs as high as 66,000 lbs (30,000 kg) or more.
Septic Tank Truck Characteristics
The main tank of a septic tank truck will typically have a capacity of 1,000 to 5,500 gallons (3,785 to 20,800 liters) or more and is often constructed of stainless steel, aluminum, or carbon steel. Stainless steel tanks may be more expensive but are more corrosion-resistant than other materials. Carbon steel tanks are less expensive and highly durable but are more susceptible to rust, which can be a problem when working with waste and water.
Many popular septic tank truck models, like the International Durastar 4300, have a diesel engine and an automatic transmission. Many septic tank trucks have onboard aluminum toolboxes for stowing equipment and supplies, aluminum hose trays for neat hose management, and a ladder for accessing the top of the tank.
Find Septic Tank Trucks For Sale Near Me
Browse for-sale listings for new and used septic tank trucks at TreeTrader.com to find the truck that’s right for your landscaping or tree care business. Compare models from manufacturers such as Freightliner, International, Mack, and others.
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