VTSNEWS OCT-DEC2014

WELCOME TO CLUB VTSThanks to all our customers old and new who have signed up for their membership of Club VTS. Club membership is free when you buy a vacuum truck from VTS.

Don’t forget to make the most of your benefits including:• Special deals/offers for VTS club members

only;• Priority delivery of VTS NEWS.• First offers on all specials prior to advertis-

ing to our general database.

Didn’t receive the last newsletter? Please feel free to call or email us with any changes to your contact information and we will activate your membership straight away.

SPRING IS IN THE AIRSpring has sprung here in the High Country and while Victoria is getting ready for the racing season to begin in earnest, the elves at Club VTS have been busy building more 24,000lt tankers that will be ready to roll from October. How is that for efficient?

From only $147K each + GST, they don’t stay parked at Club VTS for long. Want to know more? Call VTS on (03) 5775 7300 for fur-ther details and the hottest price for quantity orders. Just in case you missed out last time, here are the specs this time around: • Full 8mm mild steel construction• Hose trays and tool boxes• Full VTS 100mm shut off system• Fully bunded top area with air operated handrail and access ladder• ABS/EBS package now fitted standard (new ADR regs)• Disc brakes, air bags and front lift axle• 50mm kingpin• Alloy wheels• Two pack paint• VTS SSTAdd a heavy duty vacuum pump and Deutz air cooled diesel motor package for only an extra $29K + GST fitted.

Mansfield Cup Holiday - VTS will be closed Monday & Tuesday 3-4th November.

“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” - John Wayne

VTSReady to Rock and RollGreat new 8000lt septic/grease-trap DAF LF. The short wheelbase makes it very manoeuvrable. It also comes complete with 8mm mild steel vacuum tank, 320cfm Fruitland vacuum pump and 250HP auto with heaps of grunt and driving ease. Add to this air-operated handrail, stainless steel valves and hydraulic drive.

What are you waiting for? Call Mike on (03) 5775 7300 or email info@vacuumtrucks.com.au for further details. Expect to pay around $250K + GST and on-roads.

Pre-order for the New Year - 24,000lt Tipping Triaxle TrailerYou won’t buy better than this - top quality VTS designed HD rear door tipper. We have presold two aleady. Avoid disappointment and pre-order yours now.

• Hydraulically operated rear door and hoist; • Hydraulically operated 640cfm vacuum pump and 4000psi water pump; • 100HP Cummins diesel engine;• 500lt water capacity; • Manual control for vacuum/water/tip and door; • locally sourced drive & hydraulics • Fuwa airbag suspension; • lift axle;• ABS/EBS brakes and stability control now standard;

• ADR LED lighting;• Rear ring feeder capable for road train; • Bullet proof components and controls.

From only $250K + GST, how can you say no to this great investment?

Call Mike or Rod on (03) 5775 7300 for further details and the hottest price for quantity orders.

If you work just for money, you’ll never make it, but if you love what you’re doing and you always put the customer first, success will be yours.” - Ray Kroc

OCT-DEC2014NEWS

Come and Play - Training at VTSEvery tanker we build at VTS comes with a comprehensive manual which fully explains operations, maintenance requirements and correct scheduling. In addition, we offer full operational and maintenance training for operators of all equipment we build. This can be done at our facility or on site at yours.

Of course, it is much more fun if you come and play in the sand pit at our place as we have plenty of great toys. We also have a purpose-built dam and mud puddle where we can simulate working conditions, demonstrat-ing hydro-excavation as well as the loading and unloading characteristics of the equip-ment.

Recently the fellas from Underground Engineering Services visited Club VTS to familiarise themselves with their brand new hydroexcavator.

28.000lt Aluminium Trailers

You don’t have to visit Club VTS to check out this lightweight beauty currently sitting at Twin City Truck Centre on the Hume in Wodonga. Drive in and take her home! Light-weight, full aluminium construction with hose trays and wheels, 28000lt payload - un-heard of in a vacuum trailer! Heavy duty Fruitland/Deutz vacuum system, highly pol-ished with full LED lighting. We have two of these ready for immediate delivery. Call for sharp pricing now.

“You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” - Steve Jobs

SOLD

VTSProfessional Risk AssessmentWith truck safety and compliance so much in the news recently, we thought we would share some of our recent positive experience with a consultant, Marcus who specializes in producing risk-based procedures and training materials in a number of different formats, from paper based to professionally voiced over anima-tions for one of our Heavy-vac mining spec customers.

Risk assessment is simply a systematic process of evaluating the potential risks that may be involved in a proposed activity. e.g. Using a vacuum tanker to pump waste out of a septic. This in turn informs good and safe practice around and with equipment.

Marcus’ company has its head office and design team in Melbourne as well as personnel in Perth and Bris-bane. Most of their work is based in Western Austra-lia, in particular in the Iron Ore operations located in the Pilbara and the gold mines further south in the Goldfields. Marcus has visited VTS regularly over the

past few months. He set up his company 12 years ago. Prior to that, he was a high school teacher, research scientist and a Head Brewer for Carlton and United Breweries.

Marcus gathers all of the required information and organises it into a streamlined process that fits in with his clients’ requirements and then develops the final products for their use. His design team supplement their documen-tation and training by creating both 2D and 3D drawings and animations which visually enhance whatever they are producing.

According to Marcus, “One of the most important parts of our process is that we always complete an initial task based Risk Assessment (RA) prior to developing any of our documentation or training. We use a very rigid but user friendly RA process with the people who will be undertaking the tasks associated with a new machine or process to ensure we get a great result and impor-tantly, local area ownership of the outcomes. Fundamentally, the purpose of this RA is to identify any hazards associated with a task and what controls must be in place in order to manage the hazards to an acceptable level. These controls are then integrated into

Marcus Balon from Balon Pty Ltd

Rod & Johnno putting the boom in place

”Life isn’t worth living unless you’re willing to take some big chances and go for broke.” - Eliot Wiggington

OCT-DEC2014NEWS

any subsequent procedures and training tools to help keep all personnel involved with that task safe.

Our client hired us to do this for the new truck being built for them by VTS. Our brief was to complete a RA for the intended tasks the new machine will undertake in their Pilbara operations. In addition we were to make sure that any identified controls will be covered in the procedures and training that will be created prior to the truck arriving on site. As a result we have been working closely with our client and VTS personnel to complete an initial RA and procedures for the new vacuum truck. We have also been developing up a 3D model of the truck which will be a perfect tool for us-ing in the site training programs. Once the truck is on site, the initial RA, proce-dures and training tools will be reviewed and updated as required before being verified and approved by our client for use.

The advantage of undertaking a pro-cess like this is that our client will have most of the internal documentation it will require to run and train new person-nel on the VTS truck as soon as it arrives on site. This will reduce the time it will

take to have the truck full utilised with trained and com-petent operators ready on site. There has also been other benefits from the cooperation between VTS and our client in undertaking this process, in that potential issues that may have caused inconvenience in the operation of the truck were identified and eliminated prior to the truck delivery.

The importance of doing a RA early in any new plant project cannot be overestimated. The truck that our client will re-ceive from VTS, will deliver on their specifications and will be able to be operated in a safe and efficient manner for many years to come.”

Food for thought...

Training on simulated rail lines

One mighty, hard working Heavy Vac Mining Spec Machine Darryl from Skipper Trucks in WA

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” - Helen Keller

VTS

If you work just for money, you’ll never make it, but if you love what you’re doing and you always put the customer first, success will be yours.” - Ray Kroc

Two-blade Crust Buster MEET THE CREW

You might be a natural at sh*t stirring but the crust buster makes it so much easier on your truck, your back and your employees’ back.

The crafty little machine serves two purpos-es - firstly stirring the waste to liquify it more throughly. This means less strain on your pump. Secondly, the crust buster does all the hard work for the operator. This means less strain on your back!

With full US construction, specifically de-veloped for liquid waste contractors. This is not a converted whipper snipper on steroids. Two blade folding stirring prop allows the blades to be lowered through an IO in order to stir through the IO if you are too lazy to hunt for the lids and dig them up.

Ideal for heavy septics, grease traps and any other sludges that need agitating prior to pumping. We have sold many of these to our customers and they absolutely rave about them.

Only $2100 + GST.

Lloyd has been at VTS for over six years and is one of our most experi-enced welders. He is highly skilled in mild steel, stainless steel and alu-minium welding and has built many of the vacuum tankers VTS has churned out over the last few years.

Lloyd is a keen hunter and fisherman and most weekends he is out chasing deer or floating around the lake in a kayak chasing the elusive Murray cod. Having recently given up smoking for the 60th time, he is now often seen getting fitter out on his pushbike.

VTS DRAIN CAMHere is something everyone could do at one time or another - install an inexpensive highly portable small drain inspection camera.Packaged in an extremely robust lockable plastic case this great little cam-era • Can be charged from 240 volt or from a car charger power supply;• Has full colour screen and recording facilities to either SD card, USB or straight to your computer; 30m of push rod/cable with a HD camera on the end means you get a clean view for quite a long distance without the need for continual digging.

Introductory offer of $1350 + GST and postage each. To see it in action check out our video on our website.

OCT-DEC2014NEWS

Getting the Most Out of Your Vacuum TankThe dollar value of your vacuum tanker (apart from the truck) is in the tank - so it makes sense to look after it well. Generally speaking, with regular clean-ing, inspection, testing and servicing, your tank should give you at least 8-10 good years of service.

Following these very easy steps will ensure you get the best service from your tank for the longest time.

1. Always make sure a tank is thoroughly cleansed when changing loads;2. Avoid mixing loads (cocktailing) this is dangerous and causes undue wear to the tank (this is especially true of acidic loads);3. Clean every nook and cranny including be hind the baffle and around the manways;

4. If a tank is to be taken out of service for a period of time longer than a couple of months, fill it with water to the absolute brim and then close it up. An air-free environment will prevent corrosion. Exercise caution when filling the tank. Make sure the piping is disconnected from the vacuum system to prevent water entering the vacuum pump. Ensure there is an opening from which air can escape to prevent a potentially dangerous build-up of pressure.5. Conduct the following inspections and tests: • 3-month external visual inspection of all welded seams, hinges, manways, mountings etc for all tankers carrying toxics and corrosives and hazardous goods; • 6-month external visual inspection of all welded seams, hinges, manways, mountings etc for all other tankers; • 12-month internal inspection of baffles and any internal fittings for all tankers carrying toxics and corrosives and hazardous goods; • 24-month internal inspection of baffles and any internal fittings for all other tankers; • 24-month hydrostatic test for all tankers carrying toxics and corrosives and hazardous goods; • 24-month ultrasonic test for all tankers carrying toxics and corrosives and hazardous goods; • 48-month ultrasonic test for all other tankers;

AS2809.1 2008 Section 3.1 calls for a 3 monthly inspection although it doesn’t call up an inspec-tion standard. This standard is for any tanker constructed to comply with AS2809

AS1210 doesn’t specifically refer at all to any ongoing inspection regime.

If you work just for money, you’ll never make it, but if you love what you’re doing and you always put the customer first, success will be yours.” - Ray Kroc

VTS NEWS OCT-DEC2014

18 crosbys Lane

18 Crosbys Lane, Mansfield VIC 3722PO Box 556 Mansfield Vic 3724

FREECALL: 1800 822 787Fax: 03 5775 1488Email: info@vacuumtrucks.com.auwww.vacuumtrucks.com.au

Ask Dr Tanker

Christmas Holidaysat Club VTSWe also stock:-

Scented Oil, Sight Glass Bowls & Seals, Hoses & Seals, Pumps, Vanes & Rebuild Kits, Primary & Secondary Shut Offs, Oil Catch Mufflers, Final Filters & Elements, Manways, Various Valves & Fit-tings, Vacuum & Pressure Gauges, Rubber Balls & Safety Glasses. Contact us for more details or to place an order.

Do your trucks need First Aid?

Every so often we get a call from our customers out there in Vacuum Truck Land regarding the locks on their rear door tanker. The VTS manual provided with your truck states quite clearly that to keep locks working freely, one must operate the rear door every week (even when the truck is not in operation). There is also a requirement that these locks are lubricated - often. They are moving parts and do need some “loving”. As we all know, however, “loving” is something that many vacuum trucks (not their operators) only get when they stop working! So...some-times these simple important maintenance steps are overlooked. And... as most of you guys will know, a manual is purely for decoration and is to be consulted only when something goes wrong - One bloke once complained that the manual had too much information in it!

The good news is, that if you are lucky enough to have a VTS built tanker with a rear door, you can use the follow-ing procedure to get your locks working properly - even if they haven’t been operated for some time. After a day or two of lubricating locks and nipples, you may need mate to act as an observer to tell you if and when the locks start moving.

1. Grease every lock’s grease nipples until clean grease is present.2. Use plenty of lubricant (WD40 or equivalent) to get the locks moving - If they are seized use at least one can or more in order to free the locks up prior to attempting to open them with the lever4. Spray the spool and top aluminium valve also - the more lubrication the better.

After a day or so of regular lubricating, see if all of the locks move while your helper gently operates the locking control lever. Dont push too hard as if the locks are not freely moving, the sequencing valve will think the door is open and move on to the next step.

WE DON’T WANT THIS - AS SERIOUS DAMAGE MAY OCCUR!Gentle application of the lever in the correct direction will either show the locks being capable of fully opening or not.

5. If one of more of the locks is stuck - stop pushing on the lever and continue trying to free the seized lock.6. If this is still not working - make sure the tank is empt and try using a heavy drift punch to punch out the seize lock pins. Heat maybe needed to coerce it/ them.

This is a last case scenario and should only be attempted by an experienced fitter.

7. If all else fails the lock can be cut off and a replacement fitted.

We are waiting for your call…

VTS will be closed for holidays from Friday 19th December, 2014 and will be running at full speed again on Monday

5th January, 2015