Septic Pumper Truck Specifications: Essential Features Guide

What Are the Key Specifications of a Septic Pumper Truck?

If you run a septic business, getting a proper pumper truck is key to growing your business. It defines the number of projects you can take on and how effective you’ll be in executing them. But how do you identify a proper septic pump truck?

Below, we outline specs to consider. 

1. Tank capacity

Capacity describes the volume of septic waste a truck’s vacuum tank can hold per time. It’s typically measured in liters or gallons. 

Here are the different sizes available on the market:

• Small-capacity tanks (300-500 gallons) used for: 

• Emptying portable restrooms at events, construction sites, and parks.

• Residential septic system maintenance.

• Areas where larger trucks can’t easily maneuver around, e.g., narrow driveways.

• Medium capacity tanks (1,500-3,500 gallons) used for:

  • Residential and small commercial septic waste removal.

  • Grease trap cleaning in restaurants or food service businesses.

  • Industrial and municipal waste removal. 

• Large capacity tanks (3,500+ gallons) used for:

  • Large industrial and commercial waste disposal.

  • City wastewater or sludge removal.

  • Servicing multiple commercial or residential properties at a go.

How do you know which one to choose? That depends on several factors, including:

• Project type: Jobs like servicing residential toilets require small-capacity tanks, while industrial waste removal requires large tanks.

• Work volume and frequency: One-time, small jobs mean low-volume tanks. On the other hand, more frequent and high-volume jobs mean larger tanks.

• Distance, accessibility, and maneuverability: Small-tank trucks are better choices to access narrow spaces. Need to cover a long distance? Large trucks reduce the number of trips you’ll have to go.

• Operating costs: Large tanks allow you to handle multiple jobs simultaneously, increasing efficiency and profitability. Small tanks consume less fuel and have low maintenance costs.

2. Vacuum pump power

While large tanks reduce the number of trips, it may not matter if the truck doesn’t pump waste fast. That’s where the vacuum pump comes in—think pumping machine, but for septic trucks. 

Septic truck pumps generate a vacuum in the vessel and then draw the waste into the vessel’s tank. It also ensures the waste is safely transported to a treatment facility for disposal. 

Now, these vacuum pumps come in various forms, including:

• Rotary vane. This pump type uses spinning vanes attached to a rotor. It’s a favorite among septic businesses, known for its heavy-duty, reliability, and efficiency while operating in extreme conditions. 

• Liquid ring. This type uses liquid under centrifugal force, which is ideal for wet working environments as it handles moisture better than its counterparts. It can run for up to 12 hours.

• Diaphragm pump: This pump leverages a diaphragm to create suction and discharge, and it's best for low-flow, high-pressure applications.

Beyond the pump type, you also want to consider the septic vacuum truck pump power. This refers to the strength and efficiency of the pump used to suck waste from the sewers into the service truck’s tank. 

It’s measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM) and has different ratings—low-power pump (100-300 CFM), medium-power pump (300-800 CFM), and high-power pump (800+ CFM).

3. Hose length & diameter

Septic pumper trucks require a specialized hose to pump and transport liquid waste, sewage, or sludge from grease traps or septic tankers to the truck’s tank. 

Considering how often it’ll need to be moved, the hose reel should be made of flexible materials and equally resistant to chemicals like PVC, polyethylene, polyurethane, and synthetic rubber. 

The ideal diameter for a hose should be between 50mm (2 inches) and 200mm (8 inches) to allow easy flow of liquids. Anything below that range and the system’s pressure increases with clogs preventing the flow of wastes. On the other hand, hoses with a larger diameter can make it difficult to handle and reduce liquid flow. 

A septic tank hose should ideally be long enough to reach sewage areas without moving the truck. We’re talking about anything between 16.4 and 65.6 feet. 

4. Engine strength

Jay Minear, a veteran of the pumping industry recommends using a diesel engine for septic pumper trucks. He suggests a horsepower (HP) between 350 and 500 for the truck’s engine as it can handle heavy loads, rough terrains, and stop-and-go operations. 

Minear explains that such large engines don’t require a lot of power to work, thus putting less strain on the truck chassis and the overall system. 

5. Discharge options

There are different ways to offload waste from septic pumper trucks. They include:

• Pump-assisted discharge, where the truck’s pumping system is used to force waste out. It’s an ideal option if you have to travel a distance or go uphill to discharge. 

• Gravity discharge is the simplest option available. Here, the truck uses gravity to aid waste discharge, depending on the disposal site location. If it’s a land site, you can position the tank above the site, allowing the waste to flow out naturally.

• Pressurized discharge for trucks with high-pressure systems to break up sludges and ensure free flow of wastes. 

The option you choose depends on factors such as discharge location, waste type, and project volume. Gravity discharge works well if the disposal site is lower than the truck. If it’s higher, pump-assisted discharge is a better option.

6. Regulatory compliance & safety measures

Lastly, you want to ensure the septic truck complies with government and safety regulations.

For starters, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires trucks to have sealed compartments to prevent spillage. 

It also mandates that trucks are grounded and bonded before use to limit the risk of electrostatic discharge. Ensure the hose is properly hooked to the truck. 

Some other safety measures to keep in mind are to: 

• Equip trucks with remote emergency stop features.

• Install alarms to notify truck drivers when the tank is tilted or develops a fault.

How Can You Choose the Right Septic Pumper Truck for Your Business?

Now that you’re familiar with the specifications for septic pumper trucks let’s discuss how to select the best choice for your business. 

1. Assess your business needs

Start by analyzing your current business needs and identifying the ideal job truck. 

Here are some pointers to help with this assessment:

• Examine service demand and project volume. What types of jobs do you typically handle? Residential, restaurants, municipal, or industrial? How regularly would you go out?

• Do you run a small or large business? How many trucks would you need, or is one sufficient?

• What distance or type of terrain would the truck navigate—tight spaces or rough terrains? 

2. Look for the right specifications

Based on the analysis you’ve just done, look for trucks that can execute your projects. 

Ensure the:

• Tank capacity matches your project workload

• Pump power can suck waste into the tank quickly.

• Hose length and diameter are flexible and can reach different points on site. 

• Discharge mechanisms simplify how waste from the septic tank truck is disposed of.

3. Consider financial factors

Evaluate your current budget for the septic pumper truck. How much have you allocated for it, and can you afford to pay? 

Compare the cost against the potential return on investment (ROI) to ensure long-term profitability. 

If you can’t afford your ideal truck, consider buying a used one. However, weigh the pros and cons before making an informed decision. 

While a used one might be affordable, it may come with recurring maintenance costs. 

Another option is leasing a septic truck, especially if you have projects periodically. Leasing would eliminate maintenance costs but may limit your ability to plan your schedule or take on multiple projects. 

Overall, relying on rented or used trucks might mean dealing with availability issues or trucks not functioning at full capacity.

4. Ensure compliance and safety

The septic pumper truck you choose should comply with industry and government regulations. As we shared a little further up, it should have sealed compartments, be properly grounded, and ensure its hoses are well hooked. The truck should also have effective systems that aid waste disposal and prevent spills. 

How Can ServiceTitan Help With Septic Truck Fleet Management?

Running a septic truck business, solo or a fleet, is no easy task. It requires effective management to ensure smooth operations, timely maintenance, and smooth client communication. 

It's a lot to juggle; however, ServiceTitan streamlines these processes so you can stay organized and focus on growing the business. 

To be more specific, here’s what it does for the business:

• Optimized septic truck operations: Never worry about tracking your truck’s location anymore. With ServiceTitan, you can monitor trucks in real time and check whether or not drivers are where they should be. It allows you to create custom geo-references around the office, job site, or prohibited areas and get notified of truck activities there. 

• Preventive maintenance & compliance: ServiceTitan enables you to be proactive about maintenance. It can analyze historical data and suggest maintenance schedules, ensuring all your trucks are in good shape. Plus, you can schedule appointments with the maintenance crew ahead of time.

• Video event capture: This protects you from liabilities in insurance claims and notifies you of risky driving behaviors via text, app notifications, or email. 

• Cost control & performance insights: See how your trucks perform and how much fuel they consume, helping you reduce operational costs. ServiceTitan is integrated with fuel cards like Wex and alerts you on irregular usage.

• Prevent unsafe driving: With Fleet Pro, one of ServiceTitan’s features, you can identify reckless drivers and take swift action. It has AI-enabled cameras that detect problematic behaviors like phone use, smoking, or distracted driving and instantly notify you.

• Enhanced business productivity: With ServiceTitan, you have digital records of projects, access to location data after the job is confirmed, and can assign tasks to specific techs on your team. Plus, it allows you to send invoices and communicate with clients.

ServiceTitan also has a data-driven coaching feature for tracking driver behavior to help them be better. It can create automated reports to use as evidence in a dispute or insurance claim.

ServiceTitan is a cloud-based digital platform that improves the efficiency of septic pump businesses. ServiceTitan simplifies monitoring the fleets of trucks and other tasks such as project scheduling, quick dispatching, and invoicing. The platform provides customer service and safety alerts that notify you if the truck driver misbehaves.