Christopher
Moderator
Lots of great answers Blaine, Thanks for taking the time to do the video and answer all these questions.
Made my first video...
- Thread starter Biodude
- Start date
Biodude
Moderator
We blend our own. It's a good way to do it for us. Since we are the end user, we know what works or not usually fairly quickly. We work with a chemist who has been doing this for over 40 years. We tell him what our desired outcome is and he gives us suggestions on products and formulations to try. It's funny because some things work great in a lab but don't in real life. We always try them though, because you never know! It's a good setup for all of our people as well because they don't have to waste time and money doing testing. We usually test products between 6 months to a year before we release them to our people.
Tomdurbin
New member
2 Step
Nice video. I have always known two stepping was the way to quickly wash trucks. In the old days Landa, Hotsy, and Chem-Ex all used this method. I have actually built some two step rigs myself. The problem was chemical costs and water recovery. How much chemical do you use to wash say 100 trucks that are dirty like the video? I see that you must use your chemical in your system. Do you sell your chemical separately? I have many customers who want to buy chemical, that is not an area I wish to service. I currently direct them to local chemical suppliers. Do you only make chemical for fleet washing? I see your point about less engines running but what do you do if the truck breaks down? Is this equipment easy to service?
Nice video. I have always known two stepping was the way to quickly wash trucks. In the old days Landa, Hotsy, and Chem-Ex all used this method. I have actually built some two step rigs myself. The problem was chemical costs and water recovery. How much chemical do you use to wash say 100 trucks that are dirty like the video? I see that you must use your chemical in your system. Do you sell your chemical separately? I have many customers who want to buy chemical, that is not an area I wish to service. I currently direct them to local chemical suppliers. Do you only make chemical for fleet washing? I see your point about less engines running but what do you do if the truck breaks down? Is this equipment easy to service?
Biodude
Moderator
Tomdurbin
Nice video. I have always known two stepping was the way to quickly wash trucks. In the old days Landa, Hotsy, and Chem-Ex all used this method. I have actually built some two step rigs myself. The problem was chemical costs and water recovery. How much chemical do you use to wash say 100 trucks that are dirty like the video?
Hi Tom. I think I saw you at the PWNA show. Just guessing I would have to say roughly about 3/4 of a drum(55 gal.) of prewash and1-1/14 drum of soap. Approximately $175.00 worth of chems. Once you've cleaned them up you would take only about 1/3 of that next time.
I see that you must use your chemical in your system. Do you sell your chemical separately?
Yes, we only offer our detergents to our licensed operators and do not sell to the public.
I have many customers who want to buy chemical, that is not an area I wish to service. I currently direct them to local chemical suppliers. Do you only make chemical for fleet washing?
Yes, fleets are what we do, so all of our detergents are geared towards that.
I see your point about less engines running but what do you do if the truck breaks down? Is this equipment easy to service?
Diesel trucks don't break down as often as skid units are known to do, and if they are having problems, most current model diesel trucks have computers that let you know what the problem is or will be. As far as the wash equipment, it's very heavy duty and simple: 1 pump, 1 water heater, no generators & etc.
Nice video. I have always known two stepping was the way to quickly wash trucks. In the old days Landa, Hotsy, and Chem-Ex all used this method. I have actually built some two step rigs myself. The problem was chemical costs and water recovery. How much chemical do you use to wash say 100 trucks that are dirty like the video?
Hi Tom. I think I saw you at the PWNA show. Just guessing I would have to say roughly about 3/4 of a drum(55 gal.) of prewash and1-1/14 drum of soap. Approximately $175.00 worth of chems. Once you've cleaned them up you would take only about 1/3 of that next time.
I see that you must use your chemical in your system. Do you sell your chemical separately?
Yes, we only offer our detergents to our licensed operators and do not sell to the public.
I have many customers who want to buy chemical, that is not an area I wish to service. I currently direct them to local chemical suppliers. Do you only make chemical for fleet washing?
Yes, fleets are what we do, so all of our detergents are geared towards that.
I see your point about less engines running but what do you do if the truck breaks down? Is this equipment easy to service?
Diesel trucks don't break down as often as skid units are known to do, and if they are having problems, most current model diesel trucks have computers that let you know what the problem is or will be. As far as the wash equipment, it's very heavy duty and simple: 1 pump, 1 water heater, no generators & etc.
JMooney
New member
It looks like you are definately upstreaming your soap because its high pressure. I'm just curious how you can have two guys washing simultaneously upstreaming your chemical at the same time with 1 pump. How can one possible rinse while the other is soaping or pulling acid? Sorry, I'm just a little confused. The only way that could possibly work in my fragile mind is to downstream.
Welcome Aboard Tom
Biodude
Moderator
It is more of a downstream style system without the pressure drop, so you're on the right track.
Hey blaine when washing for long periods of time does that hose and gun setup ever become a pain? I know the old chemex machines use the big bulky hose with the electrical wire in it and a lot of guys used to complain about that . Also the fact that u can just reel the hose up. That's why I use the remote control to operate my clutch and solenoids . So if I had a problem I can either fix or replace my hose and I'm not limited to the amount of hose I use when watching ur video it looks like there is some difference in pressure when u are applying chems to when u are rinsing them. I think it was at like 4:50 mark of your video .
Biodude
Moderator
A.TRKWASH
what's ur injectors diluation rate?
Around 12:1
Do u have the option of setting that through different orfice sizes . Or is yours set.
Permanently set so the operator can't screw up the dilution rates and damage the equipment paint, aluminum, etc.
What's the size of Ýour chem tanks and how often do you fill them up.
We use 55 gallon drums and top them off at the end of each day.
u are using a venturi to pull the chems in the line instead of pressure feeding them .
Yes, chemicals are not under pressure, thereby minimizing the danger.
Hey blaine when washing for long periods of time does that hose and gun setup ever become a pain? I know the old chemex machines use the big bulky hose with the electrical wire in it and a lot of guys used to complain about that .
Most of it is laying on the ground so it's not like I'm carrying it all the time. We also do not have the added weight and problems of steel braided lines so that helps a great deal. No electrical lines so your hose lasts much longer. Some in the field are over 5 years old and still going strong! Don't know of any steel braided lines that even come close to that.
when watching ur video it looks like there is some difference in pressure when u are applying chems to when u are rinsing them. I think it was at like 4:50 mark of your video .
Not so much a change in pressure as a change in flow. I have the option of increasing my flow rate during my rinse cycle, which helps with the speed.
what's ur injectors diluation rate?
Around 12:1
Do u have the option of setting that through different orfice sizes . Or is yours set.
Permanently set so the operator can't screw up the dilution rates and damage the equipment paint, aluminum, etc.
What's the size of Ýour chem tanks and how often do you fill them up.
We use 55 gallon drums and top them off at the end of each day.
u are using a venturi to pull the chems in the line instead of pressure feeding them .
Yes, chemicals are not under pressure, thereby minimizing the danger.
Hey blaine when washing for long periods of time does that hose and gun setup ever become a pain? I know the old chemex machines use the big bulky hose with the electrical wire in it and a lot of guys used to complain about that .
Most of it is laying on the ground so it's not like I'm carrying it all the time. We also do not have the added weight and problems of steel braided lines so that helps a great deal. No electrical lines so your hose lasts much longer. Some in the field are over 5 years old and still going strong! Don't know of any steel braided lines that even come close to that.
when watching ur video it looks like there is some difference in pressure when u are applying chems to when u are rinsing them. I think it was at like 4:50 mark of your video .
Not so much a change in pressure as a change in flow. I have the option of increasing my flow rate during my rinse cycle, which helps with the speed.
Christopher
Moderator
Blaine, I don't remember if I asked you but what is the pressure you have at the gun? 3000psi? 2500psi? 2000psi?
I got your pm, those are some great prices! I wish I had the money right now!
Thank You.
I got your pm, those are some great prices! I wish I had the money right now!
Thank You.
Tomdurbin
New member
I have not had problems with skids breaking down or bad generators. I have had experience with PTO systems and found them to be reliable as well. I was curious about working on them and the longevity of the hydralic system and the air compressor. Do you use the trucks charging system to fire the burner? Do you use the trucks exhaust to heat the water? What is your outlet temperature? As far as not recovering your waste water because they have retention ponds is tha legal? I know that they have some that are for rain water and some places put them in for waste water but they must be rubber lined. Also what do you do in a drought stricken area? How much water do you use per truck?
SevnDusty
Member
lol... u guys r askin alotta questions..