Keeping the vacuum truck and hoses from freezing on winter routes

Ray's right about the antifreeze flush, but he didn't mention the order: you need to pull the hose out straight first, then run the antifreeze mix through. A kinked hose holds pockets of water that will freeze and split the lining. I use a 50/50 mix of the same non-toxic antifreeze we put in the holding tank and water, pumped through until it comes out clear at the nozzle. For the vacuum truck pump, I let it suck a gallon of straight antifreeze at the end to coat the impeller. Don't forget to drain the hose reel sprayer too; that little pump freezes solid faster than the big one.

You keep the vacuum truck and hoses from freezing by pumping an antifreeze solution through the entire waste system at the end of each winter route. The truck's diesel engine block heater and heated cab are for the driver's comfort, not the pump. The pump and hoses are the problem. I use a non-toxic, biodegradable antifreeze, the same type we put in standard portable toilet holding tanks for winterization. After the last service stop, I backflush the pump and hoses with a mix of that antifreeze and water. This pushes out the water and waste that would freeze solid overnight. I do not use insulated hoses; they are too expensive and bulky for the job. The key is to never leave water sitting in the pump or the hose. A frozen waste line can rupture, and a seized pump is a major repair. For the restroom trailer on your route, remember its waste will have more liquid, so it's even more critical to clear the lines completely after servicing it.