Size the carrying space and the pickup system independently
The tank determines how much material can be carried within the vehicle’s limits. The vacuum system and hose determine whether that material can reach the tank under the site geometry. A larger tank cannot compensate for an unsuitable suction arrangement.
Use the recovered material’s density or a controlled conservative basis in the payload calculation. Full liquid, settled solids and partial-fill cases can produce different axle reactions. For pickup, describe the vertical lift, hose length, diameter, bends and material together.
Select the hose and protection with the pump or blower
Maximum vacuum does not establish conveying flow through a long hose. Increasing hose diameter or length also affects handling, storage and blockage access. Overflow protection, filtration, relief and shutdown must suit the selected equipment rather than a similar installation.
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| Decision | What to establish | Condition or limit |
|---|---|---|
| Tank volume | Use route pickup and disposal cycle within completed-mass limits. | Nominal volume does not establish legal payload or usable fill. |
| Vacuum system | Match airflow and vacuum characteristics to material and hose path. | Maximum vacuum is not the same as material-conveying capacity. |
| Hose system | Balance diameter, run, bends, handling and blockage access. | Longer or larger hose is not automatically better. |
| Protection | Specify overflow, filtration, relief and shutdown for the chosen equipment. | Protection from a similar system may not suit the selected blower or pump. |
Estimate collection cycles before selecting tank and hose scope
A simple volume ratio can expose the number of trips, while pump, lift, hose losses and legal payload stay separate engineering checks.
The hypothetical volume requires at least three loads. It does not prove that the pump can achieve the intended suction duty or that the loaded truck is legal.
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| Step | Calculation or condition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum volume cycles | 18 m³ ÷ 6 m³/load | 3 loads |
| Route check | 3 loads × travel, queue and discharge time | Shift feasibility review |
| System check | Hose length, lift, material and pump curve at the duty point | Supplier evidence required |
- Estimated collected volume: 18 m³ per shift
- Illustrative usable tank volume: 6 m³ per load
- Disposal distance and suction lift: Must be surveyed
Illustrative cycle calculation only. Do not use it as a pump-performance, vacuum-depth, payload or confined-space approval.
Give the supplier a site-by-site selection schedule
Prepare one row for each representative collection site, including the difficult access case. Keep the material, hose route and disposal trip together in that row. An average hose length can hide the site that determines whether the proposed system is workable.
Vactor distinguishes vacuum-system options for different duties. Use that distinction to request a selection explanation for the offered pump or blower and installed hose path, rather than specifying a pump from tank volume alone. Vactor 2100i combination sewer cleaner
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| Site input | What to record | Supplier response to request |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Liquid or slurry description, solids and debris, expected density basis and uncertainty | Accepted material range, exclusions and evidence still needed |
| Suction path | Lowest expected liquid level relative to truck position; total hose run, diameter, bends and couplings | Installed-system selection and a test condition representing that path |
| Collection quantity | Expected recoverable volume per stop and its variation | Usable fill limit and mass allowance for the proposed load |
| Disposal cycle | Drive, queue, unloading and washdown time; opening hours and access restrictions | Expected stops before disposal and the proposed shift schedule |
Keep the difficult site in the selection schedule
Provide a row for each representative site, including material, hose geometry, expected quantity and disposal time. Ask the supplier to explain the installed-system selection and the load allowance for those cases. A route average can hide the location that determines whether the proposal will work.
Information to prepare for this review
- Measured volume and material per service stop
- Material density and solids description
- Maximum vertical and horizontal hose path
- Hose diameter, bends and connection count
- Vacuum-system curves and protection limits
- Tank tare, chassis ratings and disposal cycle
Records to request and keep
- Route volume and material record
- Hose-geometry and system-duty worksheet
- Tank payload and axle-load calculation
- Manufacturer protection and performance documentation
Common mistakes and what to check instead
- Selecting only by maximum suction depth: Use airflow, vacuum, hose geometry, material and leakage together.
- Assuming sewage equals water mass: Use a controlled density and solids basis for payload.
- Adding hose without storage and handling review: Approve hose weight, lifting, routing, coupling and blockage access.
Scope of this guide
This guide does not calculate vacuum-system performance or approve a pressure vessel.
The selected manufacturer data and qualified tank and vehicle design control sizing.
Reject the sizing basis when material, density, hose geometry, protection, payload or axle cases are unresolved.
Sources and applicability
Manufacturer example of separate vacuum-system and water-jetting choices; its specifications do not establish KEEYAK equipment capability.
Sources checked:
Controls the project-input, quotation, approval and inspection workflow described in this guide.
Provides public checklists and worksheets; the signed project documents remain controlling.
Defines the relevant product family and published configuration boundaries. Project-specific ratings require the selected OEM documents.
Official U.S. safety reference for sewage-related hydrogen-sulfide and confined-space hazards. Applicable local safety rules and qualified procedures remain controlling.