Pit cleaning..
- Thread starter ShineShed
- Start date
wyatt
Active member
View attachment IMG_4483.mov
Not sure if this video posted correctly, but this is my current setup. Hoping to get a dump trailer in the future.
Not sure if this video posted correctly, but this is my current setup. Hoping to get a dump trailer in the future.
I have been suckin the water out of mine first. The dump trailer works great i just rent one twice a year for a couple hundred bucks and dump mine at a friends farm for fill. Just wondered if theres an easier way. I used to run a vac truck and those were a pain in the ass suckin out sludge
soonermajic
Well-known member
Only showed 5 secs. What r u doing with the mud?
MEP001
Well-known member
You're liable for a massive fine if you get caught. You can't even haul the stuff on a public road without the proper testing, permits, and a CDL.
I dig it out with a HandiClam, let it dry for a few days on the bay floor, then shovel it into the dumpster. It's a lot of work but it's legal.
wyatt
Active member
I save most of my chem barrels to put it in. Then the barrels dry in my trash enclosure.
wyatt
Active member
I always used a handiclam until about a month ago. The shovel was a ton of work because I empty my pits 4 times a year.
So far the backhoe has been worth the investment.
Car_Wash_Guy
Well-known member
I have a Ring-O-Matic clam machine as well as a Hand Clam for quick relief. I might but a new ROM I love it so much! I couldn't imagine anything else. I do my 6 pits in about 3 hours. Dump the mud into my drying pen. Dirt gets taken to the dumps.
washnshine
Well-known member
I remember the first wash I worked at when I was 16 - I shoveled them out by hand and put the mud in a wheel barrow - then dumped it out behind the dumpster, which was on a grassy/dirt patch in the corner of the lot. Just a kid following directions!
soapy
Senior Member
I disagree with the advise that you will face a massive fine if you haul the dirt on a public road. I have been on the WCA environmental commitee and have first hand knowledge with my state environmental agency and the state of California agency. Pit dirt is classified as street sweepings by the EPA, and most state environmental agencies. First have your pit dirt tested. Then after that as long as you are keeping the same type of business you do not have to retest t each time. The pit dirt should be dried using the EPA guidelines with a paint filter to reveal how much moisture is in it. I always let it dry on my own land. I have a pit pump and a tractor with custom
front loader bucket to clean the pits.
3 times I have had "concerned citizens" call the state environmental agency and tell them I was dumping all kinds of hazardous waste. The agency has come over 3 times and seen how I handle the mud and they have given me their blessing that I am doing everything right. Once the pit dirt is dry you can do what ever you want with it. Even California has tested and determined this. I use a dump trailer with a gvw under 10,000 lbs. so I am not subject to CDLs etc.
front loader bucket to clean the pits.3 times I have had "concerned citizens" call the state environmental agency and tell them I was dumping all kinds of hazardous waste. The agency has come over 3 times and seen how I handle the mud and they have given me their blessing that I am doing everything right. Once the pit dirt is dry you can do what ever you want with it. Even California has tested and determined this. I use a dump trailer with a gvw under 10,000 lbs. so I am not subject to CDLs etc.
soapy
Senior Member
Not sure where you are at but you can call your state Environmental department and they can give you a list. Basically they will do a test looking for heavy metal etc.
Yep, a waste pumping service takes care of mine at $1200 for 7 bays. Seems like a no-brainer versus the expense buying equipment, trailers, hiring a crew, and/or getting in trouble for illegal dumping. They typically start at 6am and are finished in two hours.
wyatt
Active member
I would do that if that was the case here. In my area, the dump site requires testing every time I have it pumped. Last time I had a 4 bay site pumped it was almost 3k between the tests and pump costs. I have that particular wash pumped 4 times a year so for me it was well worth the investment to buy equipment.
I have construction equipment just trying to stay within EPA regs. From my past employment experience- with contractors and epa- you may be deeper in trouble using them without a testing and paper trail and proof of how they disposed if it. So if I can prove its non hazardous and legally landfilled then I done my cradle to grave responsibilities. I don’t like it but still need a way to test it.
We used to have a waste pumping company do ours, but the price for them and anywhere else was way out of the ballpark.
We then went to shoveling into wheelbarrows and shoveling into dumpsters. Then we use our skid loader and do it that way. We do it in-house and pay the employees who do it extra.
We then went to shoveling into wheelbarrows and shoveling into dumpsters. Then we use our skid loader and do it that way. We do it in-house and pay the employees who do it extra.