Where would we be without you? Without convenient fuel supply, Australia would come to a stop. The fuel tanker operators, some of them corporates, many owner drivers are the backbone of making sure we can fuel our cars, utes, vehicles of all types at convenient locations almost anywhere in Australia. Without you, we’d all be on foot!
Here, Australian Pump Industries (Aussie Pumps) points out that the responsibilities placed on the owner operators particularly are significant to the economy, even if none of our politicians take the trouble to acknowledge it.
Keeping the big rigs clean
Aussie Pumps got involved in supplying high pressure cleaning machines to operators of fuel tankers in a big way four or five years ago. The job that opened up their eyes was Liberty Oil placing orders for diesel drive Scud 3000 psi pressure cleaners for their various depots around the country.
“The reason they chose our Scud machine is because of it’s high pressure, ergonomic design, operator safety aspects and it’s design and reliability,” said Aussie Pumps Mike Dade.
Mike worked with the Liberty operation for a number of weeks to make sure the machines they were buying were going to be suitable for the application. “They wanted their machines to look clean but they also wanted to be able to clean up spills promptly,” said Mike.
Aussie’s new Scud range, a unique design with ‘no sharps’, takes truck and trailer cleaning to a new level. The machines feature ‘Big Berty’ Bertolini heavy duty triplex pumps. The pumps are claimed to be the best of their type in the world with features built in for longevity and trouble-free operation.
Even the high pressure and low pressure valves are ‘rapid action mirror finish’ 316 stainless steel. That prevents corrosion and enhances the high fluid dynamic efficiency of the machine. Pistons are solid ceramic, with excellent wear resistance.
“Even the crankcase is different to all the other manufacturers,” said Mike.
“The TTL ‘Big Berty’ pumps that we use have crankcases that are heavily finned for extra cooling and big capacity. They all have a sight glass so the operator can easily check the oil levels,” he said.
Aussie’s most revolutionary advantage over all other pressure cleaners of their type is the unique ‘Scud’ design. In a stainless steel trolley with four big 13” steel wheels with flat free tyres, it’s a work of art. Beautifully balanced and easy to push around, even on construction sites, the machine houses the Honda recoil or electric start engine drive close coupled through a heavy duty gearbox to the pump.
“The gearbox drive is a great advantage for operators over old fashioned belts and pulley systems. It’s completely dust free with its own oil chamber to keep gears lubricated and cooled,” said Mike.
That’s not all
You can increase the effective working pressure with a turbo lance. It only takes five minutes to change from the double stainless steel lance that comes as standard on the machine. For example, the 4000 psi machine with turbo becomes 6400 psi. That extra whack gets the job done faster.
Stainless steel hose reels, a gift
The machines are now being built in a Deluxe version.
That includes all of the above, Aussie Safety Protection kit and top quality hose and double lance (high/low pressure with detergent injection capability) and now includes a stainless steel reel that gives the operator an effective working range from the machine of 60 metres.
“The 4000 psi rated stainless steel hose reel with 30 metres of top quality Aussie Blu Pro hose gives the operator 30 metres in either direction of where the machine is located.
“That means on a big job, no more having to move the pressure cleaner every 15 minutes and relocating the hoses that supply the units with water,” said Mike.
Aussie free safety program
Aussie Pumps is the only company that offers a FREE Pressure Cleaner Safety Protection Training Course. You can do the course online in around half an hour and get your certificate in the mail a few days later.
“The course explains Triplex pump technology and the new safety regulations.
“It is a major advantage for truck operators who want to keep themselves and their workers safe. The Safe Operator Training is a real gift and can also lead to much faster clean. We are told by operators of 30,000 litre fuel tankers that they can move from 6-hour clean ups to less than 2.5 hours to do a great job using our specially equipped truck wash machines.
“That’s right, we can give you your weekends back,” said Mike.
Further information is available from Aussie Pumps. Call 02 8865 3500 or visit aussiepumps.com.au.