I'm seeing a lot of companies put equipment on sale recently so I'm looking to pick up some things for next season.
Right now I'm using the 5850 pump in the box, which has done it's job and served me well this season. I also keep a backup just in case. Next year, I'm going to add a 2nd tank (I currently have a 225 that I use just for water for my PW) for my roof mix, and will house my 12v a little differently and add a backup pump, a 2nd hose reel (Titan) and new hose (I currently have the clear poly from Bob and I can tell it's on its last leg).
This question has been asked but I'm looking for a little more from what I found when using the search button ... are 2 125s the way to go? I have a single axle trailer and won't be upgrading until year 3 if all goes according to plan.
I plan to fill one of the 125s with whatever SH I need for the day in the morning, transfer into the 2nd tank at the job site, add water, then ammonyx.
Right now I put whatever I need for the day (which is never more than 2 roofs) in 15 gallon drums in the bed of my truck, and mix everything on site. The two problems I have with this are:
1) I hate having my mixing tank, which is just a 55 drum, standing alone outside the trailer, it just doesn't look professional and people in the neighborhood worry if it's safe.
2) The minor spills I get from taking the transfer hose out of the drum is annoying. I'd like to be in as little contact with the SH as humanly possible.
-- Edited by Roof Cleaning West Chester PA on Tuesday 16th of August 2011 01:51:36 AM
Roof Cleaning Northern Virginia (571) 250 9650 wrote:
Be cautious of the 119 gallon DOT restrictions unless you have a CDL, Hazmat endorsements etc Mike.
yeah i'm definitely conscientious of that, i just can't stand having the drum outside of my rig ... also i never carry water to any of my jobs so it would just be the love that i'd be transporting ... do you think having the 2 125s is a wise decision?
I'd play by the DOT rules Mike. The fines can be costly, not to mention the damage to your business reputation should you get in trouble. You'll do what's right for you I'm sure.
Really, has anyone ever been pulled over by DOT? In my 20 years I have never seen a pickup truck pulling a trailer pulled over. I really think they are paying attention to run down dump trucks and tractor trailers than to really notice a little truck with a trailer. Not knowing what is in those little tanks. Not like you are carrying a couple 500 or 1000 gallon tanks. Even when I drove a truck with a 500 gallon tank for spraying trees did I get pulled over or looked at. Damage to your business reputation...Really? Ted you know I love ya but that is crazy. What damage? Do you really think if you got fined that any home owner would know about it? I don't think so. Come on guys. Reality check here. The odds are probably 100,000/1 If not more. I have a CDL and a hazmat/tanker endorsement but even if I didn't I wouldn't think twice about it. OK you can say oooo that isn't professional. Give me a break! Not like you are doing something dangerous to the public like carrying nitro.It's SH for gods sake!
Of course this is JMOH.
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Elephant Roof and Exterior Cleaning Raleigh North Carolina David Hoover 919-207-0666 Benson NC. Roof Cleaning Raleigh NC
Roof Cleaning Northern Virginia (571) 250 9650 wrote:
I'd play by the DOT rules Mike. The fines can be costly, not to mention the damage to your business reputation should you get in trouble. You'll do what's right for you I'm sure.
Yeah i have no intentions to violate any DOT rules, planning to stay within the legal capacity. I'll only be transporting enough SH for 1-2 roofs and won't be transporting any water, so I think I should be ok ... obviously i won't replace my 225 with a 2 125s if I'm not in compliance.
I haven't done the math yet, but just off the top of your head do you think 2 125s, one transporting SH for 1-2 roofs, the other empty, a hot water skid, roof pump/battery and 2 hose reels on a single axle would be to much weight?
If so I'll just have to stick with my 15 gallon drums and mix on site, which really isn't a big deal but just not my preference.
Really, has anyone ever been pulled over by DOT? In my 20 years I have never seen a pickup truck pulling a trailer pulled over. I really think they are paying attention to run down dump trucks and tractor trailers than to really notice a little truck with a trailer. Not knowing what is in those little tanks. Not like you are carrying a couple 500 or 1000 gallon tanks. Even when I drove a truck with a 500 gallon tank for spraying trees did I get pulled over or looked at. Damage to your business reputation...Really? Ted you know I love ya but that is crazy. What damage? Do you really think if you got fined that any home owner would know about it? I don't think so. Come on guys. Reality check here. The odds are probably 100,000/1 If not more. I have a CDL and a hazmat/tanker endorsement but even if I didn't I wouldn't think twice about it. OK you can say oooo that isn't professional. Give me a break! Not like you are doing something dangerous to the public like carrying nitro.It's SH for gods sake!
Of course this is JMOH.
If you want to blatantly recommend someone violate DOT regs/laws, then that's up to you. Get pulled over by a VA state boy having a bad day with +119 gallons and see what happens. Better yet, let one of the low rent, low ball hacks find out and watch how fast they spread the word to every client they speak with. Get in a collision with +119 gallons, get in a collision with a spill with +119 gallons.... I could go on...
Roof Cleaning Northern Virginia (571) 250 9650 wrote:
I'd play by the DOT rules Mike. The fines can be costly, not to mention the damage to your business reputation should you get in trouble. You'll do what's right for you I'm sure.
Yeah i have no intentions to violate any DOT rules, planning to stay within the legal capacity. I'll only be transporting enough SH for 1-2 roofs and won't be transporting any water, so I think I should be ok ... obviously i won't replace my 225 with a 2 125s if I'm not in compliance.
I haven't done the math yet, but just off the top of your head do you think 2 125s, one transporting SH for 1-2 roofs, the other empty, a hot water skid, roof pump/battery and 2 hose reels on a single axle would be to much weight?
If so I'll just have to stick with my 15 gallon drums and mix on site, which really isn't a big deal but just not my preference.
If ya want, feel free to give me a call. I'll share with you a way to easily carry 115 gallons of SH and still maintain lots of flexibility at the same time.
In my town the police randomly pull over commercial trucks as part of a state DOT program in early spring. The DOT will have a mobil site setup for inspections and if there are any violations the first time your just given a list of what and how to fix it. You then have 30 days to send in a form stating all is in comp., if you get pulled over again and are not in compliance you get BIG fines.
Check if your state does the same. I think it was part of a new federal program actually.
I've currently got a 225 mix tank and haul my SH in 55's. I pump my SH into the mix tank the night before to save time at the job, but I always carry extra in case a neighbor wants his roof cleaned as well. I too have a CDL with an X endorsement, but currently I'm not using more than 110 gal. of SH per week, so I carry it all with me. Hopefully soon I'll be adding a 275 gal. tote for the SH and doing away with the 55's and getting some small tanks for water & housewash mix. I don't plan on filling the tote unless I placard my truck though, because I could just about throw a baseball from my house to the local State Highway Patrol office and that may irritate them if I do it.