Colorado

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is planning “sweeping” changes to its laws for septic tanks and drainfields to make them more flexible. State officials also say the regulations are outdated. The Durango Herald newspaper reports the department has been working on new regulations for three years and expects to have them finished in 2014. Public hearings began in March.
http://durangoherald.com/article/20130124/NEWS01/130129777/-1/s

Delaware

Proposed septic regulations in Delaware would require inspection and pump-out of systems before properties are sold. The state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control proposed a plan requiring Sussex County residents living within a quarter mile of bodies of water to upgrade their onsite systems. Homeowners must purchase nitrogen removal technology, have a service contract for the life of the system, have the system inspected every six months, and submit an annual written report by a qualified maintenance provider.
At least one provision of the state’s proposed septic rule changes is prompting opposition. Among the law’s requirements is semiannual inspections of new enhanced nutrient removal systems within 1,000 feet of Chesapeake Bay tidal waters. The cost for each inspection, between $350 and $450, would be the responsibility of the property owner, and the state could require more frequent inspections.
http://capegazette.villagesoup.com/p/dnrec-hears-sussex-woes/946007

Florida

All 19 counties with first-magnitude springs voted to opt out of septic tank inspections as required by the Florida Department of Health. Three cities with first magnitude springs also voted to opt out. The deadline to do so was Jan. 1.

New Mexico

The New Mexico Environment Department requests submission of additional training courses to expand opportunities for liquid waste training and continuing education. The department seeks submissions that would increase the knowledge and expertise of onsite system installers and government regulators. It also seeks volunteers to serve on the panel that would review the material. To submit material or volunteer, contact Dennis McQuillan, NMED Liquid Waste Program manager, at 505/476-3236 or dennis.mcquillan@state.nm.us.

Challenging sites

The mountainous setting of Lincoln County provides the first challenge of Davis’ days. “Our 100-mile service radius doesn’t sound like much until you consider that most of it is ups, downs, and S-curves,” he says. “Lots are usually small. Homes are shoehorned between a hill and country road with a stream alongside. It’s common for soils to fail percolation tests and to have water tables 3 feet below grade.”

Word of mouth has always brought the vast majority of work. That includes occasional projects from health departments, such as demonstrating installation techniques for state and local officials and installers. “West Virginia doesn’t require continuing education, so regulators ask us to provide training when they find an improperly installed system,” says Davis. He and two employees recently raised and reset some peat modules, then added a dosing pump and control panel under the watchful eyes of 20 people.

Davis moved from installing conventional stone-and-pipe systems to aerobic treatment units (ATUs) with low-pressure pipe (LPP) dispersal when the Lincoln County Health Department designed such a system for a dam keeper’s house. After installing it, Davis knew LPP was the answer to many of the area’s site conditions.

Installers design most systems, then present the plans to the local or state regulatory agencies for approval. “LPP systems required math that pushed my high school education,” says Davis. “It was a hands-on learning experience because there weren’t many people around to help me.”

Tax accountant and neighbor Hal Ray Smith watched Davis struggle to design the systems, then wrote a computer program that did the math. Davis has used it ever since. “We’ve installed 25 to 30 LPP systems over the years,” he says. “That may not be a huge number to anyone else, but it’s major for around here. We also have installed more of them than any other contractor.”

Tough times

That accomplishment took every ounce of grit the couple had. Davis worked in a machine shop after high school graduation, married in 1980, then joined his cousin as a partner in an excavation business launched in 1983. Davis bought a used John Deere 310B backhoe as his part of the deal.

Home construction was doing well, and the partners quickly noticed that installing onsite systems was a bigger piece of the pie than excavating holes for the tanks. Davis earned his Class I installer license, and the company branched into installing conventional systems. When they won the contract for the system at the dam keeper’s house, Davis got his Class II license to install alternative systems up to 600 gpd.

As the business prospered, the men went their separate ways, dissolving the partnership in 1990. Davis took his backhoe and opened Davis Construction and Excavating. That August, Iraq invaded Kuwait. “It was a terrible time to start a business because everyone had their minds on the war,” he says. “Nothing was moving, and that slowed the economy. I was under heavy debt, and it became very difficult to make the payments.”

His childhood had prepared him to live on the edge: “My father died when I was 10 and my mother raised the four of us. We were very poor and those were harsh times.” He also credits his faith for getting the business through the first three years. “I wanted to quit more than once because it was so difficult financially,” he says.

The expanding housing bubble brought work opportunities. By the mid-1990s, Davis was installing 100 systems a year and had hired two employees. When onsite jobs temporarily dried up, he returned to his excavation customers, and that work occasionally spun off into electrical and plumbing projects. “Maintaining my multiple licenses enabled us to hang on until the cycle reversed itself,” he says.

Shot in the arm

A major turning point came in 1995 when Davis realized that if he was to stay in the wastewater business, he needed to associate it with a product. “We didn’t have much going for us other than the LPPs, so I went at it hard,” he says. “I researched how different ATUs were designed and made numerous calls.” Seeking something simple, reliable and easy to service, he chose the Whitewater aeration unit and became a distributor for Delta Environmental Products (a Pentair company).

With secondary treatment in hand, Davis expanded his search to include multiple nonmechanical components and became a distributor for products from Infiltrator Systems. “The two lines improved the status of our company and boosted revenue considerably,” he says. He is considering adding Eljen geotextile sand filters because the low-profile, narrow-trench drainfields have no moving parts, require minimal maintenance, and can be installed above the high water table.

In 1997, Davis incorporated the business and renamed it TR Davis. “The R is a tribute to Reba for all she has contributed,” he says. “The funny part is some people call me TR now instead of Tim.”

Tough conditions

Low-pressure pipe systems saved many home sites but also presented Davis with his toughest challenges. One of the worst was a new system that immediately began clogging. The soil was good, but the site had high groundwater. Davis traced the problem to tacky particles plugging the 5/16-inch holes in the discharge pipes.

“The health department didn’t know what the material was but assumed it might be a byproduct from mining in the area,” he says. “The system never did work properly, but it taught me that not all problems are due to bad components.”

On another service call, Davis found soapsuds in an ATU: “I talked to the owners, who swore they used only the recommended amount of laundry detergent and dishwashing liquid. In later conversations, they finally mentioned having natural soft water.” Using less soap cured the problem and underscored the importance of thoroughly investigating what happens in the home when designing a system.

The most complex systems the company installs today use Whitewater units or Puraflo peat biofilters (Anua) and low-pressure drip tubing (Geoflow). A recent project involved five peat modules and 1,400 feet of tubing snaked across a steep hill.

When working on slopes with more than 20 percent grade, Davis rents a Toro Dingo compact utility tracked trencher from the local Caterpillar dealer. “It’s a very stable machine with good traction,” he says. His standard equipment includes a John Deere 450 G bulldozer and 310 E backhoe, a Kubota U45 tracked mini-excavator, and an International dump truck.

Commercial side

During the past four years, Davis has watched residential installations decrease by 40 percent, yet in 2010 he increased the company’s average annual revenue of $350,000 to $792,000. The next year it dropped to $261,000, but it rebounded to $550,000 in 2012.
“2010 was a milestone because of a Lincoln County Commission Green Wastewater Project funded through the U.S. EPA,” says Davis. “We installed Puraflo modules with surface discharge at 20 homes and added a part-time employee.” It was the company’s largest contract to date.
Commercial clients include small businesses such as service stations, pharmacies and restaurants. He also handles the occasional industrial site.
To compensate for stagnant retail sales during the last three years, Davis focused on repairing or upgrading systems he installed in the 1990s. If sites have no room for a replacement drainfield, he installs an ATU with direct discharge. “We get lots of calls from original customers when their systems begin failing from age,” he says.

Davis attributes the calls to his business principle of always servicing what he put in the ground: “I’m convinced one reason 50 percent of my competitors didn’t survive is because they neglected what they installed,” he says.

Personal touch

Committed to being the best in the game, Davis noticed that state agencies used IBM Lotus Approach to track permits in the early 1990s. He bought a computer and the software to track his customers. Today, he uses Microsoft Access.

Staying in touch with customers paid dividends, opening the door to work with real estate agents. Although the state doesn’t require point-of-sale inspections, many real estate agencies and banks do. Without a list of certified inspectors, officials didn’t know where to turn. Homeowners recommended calling Davis.

“Once we did an inspection, agencies continued to use us because we worked with sellers and buyers and we were willing to wait for our money,” he says. “If properties had failed systems, we provided repair estimates and were usually hired.” The state requires installers to provide two-year service contracts on ATUs. Subsurface discharge requires four inspections, and surface discharge systems have quarterly inspections. The company maintains 700 systems and tries never to miss an inspection.

“Our technicians leave tags on people’s doors so they know we’ve been there,” says Davis. “Recently, we’ve begun sending a condition report to owners of surface discharge systems to comply with new Department of Environmental Protection requirements.”

When contracts expire, the company mails renewal notices. “People with surface discharge renew at 90 to 95 percent,” says Davis. “We’re lucky if we pick up 50 percent of subsurface customers, and we lose 50 percent of them over the next six to eight years.” Nevertheless, the company still services some units installed as early as 1995.

Looking ahead

Coming out of a period of economic doldrums, Davis remains resilient. In 2012, he installed a 2,000 gpd system with Salcor 3G UV disinfection for a medical facility, possibly a route to expansion in the commercial sector. He also wants to sell more quality products.

“Distributorships are essential to being in the onsite business long term,” he says. “I’d love to see us average $1 million or more in revenue per year and be able to build a 40- by 100-foot shop with one bay. I believe it’s achievable with the right economic conditions.”

Site conditions

Soils are clay loam with a percolation rate of 32 minutes per inch and a loading rate of 0.3 gpd per square foot.

System components

West designed four independent systems to treat a total of 10,000 gpd. Components are standardized for ease of replacement and stocking spares. Each 2,500-gpd treatment train has:

• Three 2,500-gallon dual-compartment concrete septic tanks made by Three Forks Concrete, Three Forks, Mont.
• A100-8 effluent filters (Polylok)
• Eliminite 620C bioreactor with integral pump chamber in concrete tank. Tanks made by Flathead Concrete Products, Kalispell, Mont.
• Duplex 1 hp SHEF 100 discharge pumps, Hydromatic, Pentair Pump Group
• 1 hp Hydromatic SKHS 100 recirculation pump
• 500 feet of 1.5-inch pressurized pipe inside standard 36-inch BioDiffuser chambers from Advanced Drainage Systems
• Control panel from SJE-Rhombus

System operation

The camp is divided into quadrants, each with its own onsite system. Wastewater gravity-flows through 4-inch PVC laterals to the septic tanks set in line, then into the treatment unit. The recirculation pump doses the attached growth media on a programmed schedule. When activated, the pump sends effluent into a spray bar that evenly distributes it through three heads over 500 cubic feet of MetaRocks.

MetaRocks are spheres of closed-cell polyurethane resins with three deep contoured channels that provide large, open pores for passive air transfer. A coating of coarse sand and finely crushed recycled glass enables a thin liquid film to cover the entire surface and promote even, consistent bacterial growth.

The 7-foot-deep packed media bed needs no cleaning or replacement. Nitrified liquid collects at the bottom of the tank. Each time the recirculating pump engages to dose the media, it returns a portion of the fluid through the denitrification line to the first septic tank.

The Lung, a proprietary air entrainment device driven by the recirculation pump, supplies oxygen to the microorganisms. Whenever the recirculation pump runs, it discharges air drawn into the Lung from the previous cycle into the bioreactor. When the pump shuts off, liquid drains by gravity back to the pump chamber, simultaneously drawing air into the Lung.

As wastewater enters the unit, the rising liquid engages the alternating float-activated discharge pumps in the pump chamber. “On-demand dosing doesn’t require a separate dose tank and it reduces the system’s complexity, and makes it far more predictable and reliable,” says Kallenbach. “It’s important that these systems run themselves.”

Each discharge pump sends 300 gallons through a separate 2-inch 160 psi DR 11 HDPE Schedule 40 force main to its dedicated half of the drainfield. “The only thing between the pump and drainfield is pipe,” says Kallenbach. “That gives the system true redundancy, and nothing mechanical to break down.”

Each section of drainfield has 1.5-inch pressurized pipe suspended with plastic snap-tie fasteners inside five 100-foot-long laterals on 7-foot centers. The 1/8-inch orifices on 5-foot centers spray up at 8 to 10 feet. “Based on similar systems serving the Montana highway rest areas, we’re seeing CBOD, TSS and total Kjeldahl nitrogen removal in the 99 percent range,” says Kallenbach. “Without using chemical additives, we’re also seeing total nitrogen removal in the 90 percent range, and these numbers are from winter samples.”

Installation

The week before Buchanan arrived at the camp, the project manager reported subzero temperatures with -60 degrees F wind chills. Buchanan packed a 13- by 20-foot wall tent to pitch over the excavations, a propane heater and survival clothing. He also shipped two semi-truck loads of MetaRocks 500 miles to the site.

Masco Construction Co. of Moses Lake, Wash., dug excavations for the tanks, set them, and installed the drainfield and camp infrastructure. Mild weather arrived the first week of February, making the wall tent unnecessary. It also thawed the soil late in the day, producing a challenging, sticky mud that clung to boots.

Daytime temperatures ranged from the teens to the thirties with little wind. “The days were sunny and pleasant, but we still had to bundle up,” says Buchanan. Bulky clothing made moving more difficult and added time to every operation.

To keep the microorganisms warm, Buchanan lined the tanks and lids with 2-inch-thick polystyrene (subgrade) insulation. The lids and risers were designed to reduce surface exposure. “Open a large hatch riser on a subzero day and the heat loss will cool the whole system,” says Kallenbach. “Using 24-inch risers on these tanks restricts heat loss.”

Buchanan and Masco coordinated their efforts to install the media. Using the excavator arm, the Masco operator suspended two bags of MetaRocks at a time over a treatment unit, then Buchanan pulled the chute on the bottom of the bags to release the flowable media. It took nine bags to fill a treatment chamber, then the operator set the lid. Buchanan plumbed and wired the unit while Masco workers installed the drainfields.

After setting floats and mounting control panels, Buchanan used a generator to connect and test the panels. The installations took six days. Meanwhile, Masco pumped trucked-in water from one septic tank to the next to leak-test them. They also transported 1,500 gallons to each bioreactor for testing, then Masco covered them with 2 feet of soil. They buried the septic tanks to the same depth and mounded soil around them.

Maintenance

E-On Northwest has the maintenance contract. Buchanan provided a site-specific maintenance manual with photographs and site plans showing where components were installed. The state Department of Environmental Quality requires effluent testing twice per year for the first two years, then annually.

The Puraflo Peat Fiber Biofilter from Anua can be designed and installed as a combined treatment and effluent dispersal system. Treated effluent exits the modules via weep holes around the perimeter at the module base and flows into the dispersal system situated directly beneath. Available options include an in-ground or mounded pad. It features a small footprint and the ability to overcome site limitations such as seasonal high water tables, shallow soils or restrictive layers. Assistance is provided to designers and regulators on sizing and configuring the pad dispersal system. 336/547-9338; www.anua-us.com.

  Spider Valve

Clarus Environmental’s Spider Valve manifold assembly allows the appropriate distribution of effluent when regulations require pressurized splitting or when small lots require lateral lines of unequal length. When combined with a pump, orifice diameters within the manifold may be modified to ensure no lateral receives more than its share of flow. The incoming line should maintain at least 3 feet of distal pressure to ensure equal effluent splitting. The assembly must be installed at the high point of the system, permitting the effluent to drain from the valve to the trenches. It is available in models that serve up to 10 laterals. The assembly should be installed level inside a 24- or 30-inch access riser with lid. 800/928-7867; www.clarusenvironmental.com.

  Geotextile Sand Filter

The GSF Geotextile Sand Filter from Eljen Corporation provides advanced treatment and dispersal in the same footprint. The internal design provides sufficient void space to allow for aerobic conditions, while the Bio-Matt fabric promotes biological growth on its multiple surfaces. The fabric enhances system performance and keeps the biological growth away from the native soil, preserving the soil’s long-term acceptance rate. The unit’s lightweight and easy-to-handle modules allow for quick and convenient delivery and installation. 800/444-1359; www.eljen.com.

  Low-Profile Chambers

Quick4 Plus low-profile chambers from Infiltrator are optimal for shallow installations, providing maximum strength through center structural columns. At only 8 inches tall, they can be installed with as little as 6 inches of cover. They feature the Contour Swivel Connection, which allows 10-degree turns, right or left. They come in easy-to-handle 4-foot lengths, and provide even distribution of effluent to the soil. They don’t require heavy equipment for installation, and can be configured in a variety of inletting options and heights. 800/221-4436; www.infiltratorsystems.com.

  Ornamental Septic Vent

The Pagoda Vent from Pagoda Vent Company is an ornamental, but functional, septic vent that is easy to install, cost-effective, and blends into the landscape. It is offered in heights from 1 to 14 feet. The vent slides onto the vent stub, fitting with a seal on the stub pipe concealed inside the vent. Optional odor control filter cartridges are packed with septic odor-eating media. 888/864-1468; www.pagodavent.com.

  Distribution Boxes

Distribution boxes from Polylok/Zabel Environmental are available in 12- and 20-inch sizes, and accept 2-, 3-, 4- and 6-inch pipe. The 12-inch boxes come with stabilizing feet to anchor and prevent them from floating. They will accept risers to bring them to grade where necessary for convenient inspections. 877/765-9565; www.polylok.com.

  Carbon Filter

The Super Wolverine mid-size carbon filter from Simple Solutions holds between 8 and 10 pounds of activated carbon and is available with inlet sizes between 3 and 6 inches. It has a pressure drop of only 0.2 inches W.C. at 10 cfm, making it ideal for larger aerobic systems found at restaurants or on small commercial buildings. It also has an optional saturation indicator for monitoring the life of the carbon bed, and uses a 2-inch drain plug for easy media replacement. It is also available with a solar-powered fan for active ventilation. Common applications include grease trap vents, commercial building plumbing vents, holding tank vents, septic tank vents and gravity mainline sewer vents. 866/667-8465; www.industrialodorcontrol.com.

  Pipe Stand

The STF-BTPS “bow tie” pipe stand from Sim/Tech Filter is designed for use in chamber systems where distribution piping is suspended above the soil. The stand is independent of the chamber, allowing the pipe to be installed prior to chamber installation and also before the squirt test is performed. It installs by a squeeze-and-release action that makes installation quick and easy. It can be installed on the pipe before placing in the trench, and is easily adjusted to any desired spacing. It stores flat for economical shipping and easy storage, and is available to fit 1-, 1 1/4-, 1 1/2- and 3-inch pipe. 888/999-3290; www.simtechfilter.com.

  Roof Vent Filter

The Sweet Air Filter from Tuf-Tite is designed to eliminate offensive odors from roof vents. It is a self-cleaning D-Vent filter using activated carbon to remove odors. It uses heat from the sun to automatically clean and refresh itself. The filter comes with a removable cap for easy carbon replacement, and fits standard 2-, 3- and 4-inch pipe, with custom sizes available. 800/382-7009; www.tuf-tite.com.

The Sump Minder battery backup system from Blue Angel Pumps provides up to 230 hours of basement protection. The microprocessor-controlled 12-volt system self-tests the battery status, float switch and pump operation and sends a voice alert in advance of a problem. The auto dialer calls up to five preprogrammed phone numbers. 888/636-6628; www.blueangelpumps.com.

Biowater residential wastewater treatment system 

The prefabricated residential wastewater treatment system from Biowater Technology installs above- or belowground and is skid-mounted or trailered. The package plant can be configured with biofilm processes for flows up to 100,000 gpd. 401/305-3622; www.biowatertechnology.com.

PlumbStar radon sump dome 

The PlumbStar USA Original Radon/Sump Dome from Jackel provides an odor-free and gas-tight fit over an existing sump or sewage basin. The cover, which can reduce the concentration of radon gas below 4.0 pci/L, fastens to the floor and allows for easy servicing of a sump or sewage pump. It also can support 1,000 pounds, eliminating the threat of falling into the basin. 574/256-5635; www.jackelinc.com.

Clarus Environmental effluent pumps 

The model 51 effluent pump from Clarus Environmental has a maximum flow of 18 gpm at 5 feet of TDH and can reach 21 feet at shutoff. The model 142 produces a maximum flow of 18 gpm at 5 feet of TDH and can reach 62 feet at shutoff. Both pumps can handle 1/2-inch spherical solids. 877/244-9340; www.clarusenvironmental.com.

Advanced Drainage Systems opened a product distribution site in Morrisburg, Ontario, Canada. ADS has 56 manufacturing plants and 28 stocking service yards worldwide.

SJE-Rhombus adds sales manager, representative

SJE-Rhombus hired Tim Callander as regional sales manager for its wholesale controls product line. He will support customers in Mid-America from Texas to Canada. The company also named Dalcart & Associates as its product representative in Colorado and Wyoming.

Ende wins Expo sewer blanket drawing 

Scott Ende of Ende’s Septic Service, Rogers, Minn., won the Matt’s Sewer Blanket drawing at the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International in Indianapolis. The drawing was sponsored by MJM Industries, makers of the freeze-protection cover.

SIZING TABLES ARE THE NEW MEASURE

More states are adopting into their codes soil sizing tables that designate loading rates for septic tank effluent to soils on the basis of soil texture, structure and consistence. These tables have supplanted percolation tests to determine how large the system should be. This has caused a shift in how the site soil evaluation is conducted. In the past, the most common way to collect and evaluate soil samples was using a boring or probe device. Whether it is a push probe or a bucket auger, the sample is disturbed during the process, making it difficult to accurately determine soil structure and the depth of characteristics changes in the sample. The preferred method is to excavate a soil pit and get a close-up view of the entire soil profile.

When the pit is excavated – or in the case of an installer, when the trench or hole for the septic tank is excavated – the visual impression should be of a series of layers. The soil science term for these layers is “horizons” and the sum of all of the layers is termed the soil profile. During the soil evaluation piece, each of these horizons is described for color, texture and structure. In undisturbed soils, there will be at least three distinct sets of horizons. In soil science terminology, these are labeled A, B, and C horizons. The general interpretation of these is A is topsoil, B is subsoil and C is the original parent material.

The proper way to begin the evaluation is to work from the bottom up to provide the description. Similarly, during the excavation, the installer should look at the bottom to identify if there are any obvious limiting conditions that affect the depth of the system. The two primary examples would be the occurrence of bedrock or freestanding water. During excavation, an installer can often identify potential problems with soil permeability, such as dense layers that hard to dig through.

STOP AND RE-EVALUATE

Most codes set separation distances from these subsurface limiting conditions to ensure unsaturated soil for treatment of septic tank effluent. Installers should know their state and local requirements. If any of these conditions are encountered while excavating the system closer to where effluent will enter the soil, work should stop and the designer and/or site evaluator and local regulatory authority should be contacted before installation proceeds.

During the description of the soil profile, color is the most easily recognized change in characteristics that define the soil horizons. Important characteristics can be inferred from soil color. Well-drained soils have uniform bright colors. Soils with a fluctuating water table have a mottled pattern of gray, yellow and/or orange colors. These fluctuating water tables are often seasonal, and from a design and site evaluation standpoint are treated the same as permanent or regional water tables. Distance from the point the effluent enters the soil to the first evidence of the gray and red mottled appearance is the same.

An example of how this might impact the installation or change the kind of system installed is as follows: The site evaluator/designer has indicated that to use gravity distribution to the soil treatment trenches, the trench needs to be excavated to a depth of 3 feet below the land surface. This depth allows the sewage to flow by gravity from the house through the septic tank and into the drop or distribution box to the trenches. In Minnesota, we have a required separation distance of 3 feet. This means the installer should see no evidence of limiting layers to a depth of 6 feet to allow this installation.

MAINTAIN PROPER SEPARATION

As the installer excavates for the septic tank, soil color indicates the presence of seasonally saturated conditions at a depth of 5 feet. To maintain the separation distance the maximum excavation is 2 feet. The designer should be consulted and an evaluation made as to whether the required drop in elevation can be maintained. If not, the entire system design will need to be changed. The installer should be able to make this evaluation in the field, working off a benchmark elevation that either the designer or the installer has established.

Unfortunately, way too many installations have taken place without the proper separation distance being maintained. This leads to poor system performance and premature failure. The entire industry suffers when this happens and it could be prevented by the proper analysis of soil color.

In coming articles, we will take a closer look at texture and structure as ways to determine the soil sizing factors.

Inspect for dirt and debris

“One of the ways these machines overheat most often is when cooling radiators get clogged with dirt and debris,” explains Steve Perkins, service tech for Bingham Equipment, which operates 11 dealerships in Arizona. “In some areas of the country, like ours, powder-like dirt kicks up a lot of fine dust that gets into these radiators. That’s the fastest way to create an overheating problem.”

“I’ve seen radiators that actually exploded – where the tank just blows off the machine,” Perkins notes. “Some systems have dual fans, and if one stops, uneven heating takes place that can blow the tank.” Often, you can hear if one fan has dropped off, he says. Thus, a good walk-around inspection includes listening to a machine as well as visual examination.

But if the machine is kicking up a lot of dirt, dust or sawdust from grinding wood, the fans will pull that debris through the radiator and clog it relatively quickly. Trained techs recommend blowing the coolers clean with air every day. Under the same conditions when operating in 100-plus degree temperatures, this may need to be done on hourly basis.

Hydraulic oil can damage hoses

Perkins also suggests coolant hoses and belts be routinely inspected for cracking and other signs of deterioration. His biggest concern, however, lies with hydraulic oil spills. “Hydraulic oil can soften and weaken hoses,” he warns. “Any hydraulic fluid that gets on hoses and belts should be wiped clean right way. A leaking or burst hose doesn’t happen right away, but it can certainly lead to that problem over time.”

Make sure coolant is fresh

Steve Overdeck, vice president of sales and operation for Kost USA, says 40 to 60 percent of engine failures are coolant-related. “What that means is maintenance technicians are using an improper coolant or topping off with the wrong coolant,” he says. “It can also happen if they’re not using proper maintenance.”

Bobcat recommends coolant changes every 1,000 hours or every two years. According to Perkins, all Bingham Equipment locations follow this service interval. Flushing is also done only when the fluid looks questionable.

Mixing two or more types of coolants in equipment is a no-no. Bobcats, like many other compact machines, use propylene glycol vs. ethylene glycol coolants. Mixing the two will result in coolant “gelling” – which spells certain death for the radiator and risk to the entire engine. 

Ethylene glycol is always green in color. Propylene coolant can be different colors. Bobcat’s propylene coolant is a unique purple color while their hydraulic fluid is orange. This helps keep technicians from mixing the wrong fluids.

You should also decide whether to use an extended-life coolant or the type that is mixed with distilled water. Once you choose which coolant to use, stick with it and never combine the two.

You can purchase test strips from a local dealer to check your cooling system’s protection levels. A hydrometer is another tool to measure your cooling system’s specific gravity level and delivered degrees of protection. The degree of freeze protection – how much the temperature can drop below the freezing point before causing an adverse effect on the liquid in the system – is related to the density of the antifreeze.

Keep coolant levels up

If coolant is low, many technicians will “top off” the system with either water or more coolant mix. Adding hard water (not distilled) can result in radiator hot spots while lowering the temperature rating of the system. More often than not, topping off is when incorrect coolants get mixed. The best practice is to change coolant per manufacturer recommendations, keep a record of coolant changes and types, and when low, inspect the system to find out why. There’s probably a leak somewhere.

Overheating can also cause coolant to gel. Once coolant gels, it will likely result in a blown engine. The radiator will be shot, too. Repair costs to your hardworking equipment may now range from $5,000 to $10,000 for a new engine and radiator.

Radiator cap gaskets can age and deteriorate. According to Perkins, when the psi drops too much, the machine will heat up a lot faster. The cap should be tested to be within the manufacturer’s psi rating. Making sure pump belts are in good shape and have proper tension is another good step in inspecting the cooling system.

Be especially careful with diesel engines

Proper cooling system maintenance is especially important in diesel applications. Overcooling, pitting, overheating, cracked heads, cavitations, piston seizures and plugged radiators are some common cooling system failures. It is important to maintain the recommended SCA (supplemental coolant additive)/DCA (dry coolant additive) levels in your engine’s cooling system and maintain the manufacturer’s specs.

MILLION HOME MARCH

According to the Dodge Outlook Report from McGraw-Hill Construction, single-family home construction will advance by 615,000 units in the U.S. this year, multi-family housing units will be up 14 percent, and commercial building will grow by 12 percent. The numbers will be well below their peak before the economic bubble burst, but positive nonetheless.

An article in Forbes magazine said that under-building in recent years will provide the greatest impetus for the housing recovery. Contributing writer Bill Conerly predicted more than 1 million housing starts this year, but even that figure is modest compared to the 1.5 million new units he argued are needed annually just to keep up with factors including population growth, demolition of old housing and demand for vacation homes.

For installers, this might be the good news you were waiting for after several years of sluggish recovery. After housing starts fell off a cliff almost five years ago, I heard reports from contractors who had to cut staff, enact creative belt-tightening measures, and sell off some equipment to blunt the impact of lost revenues.

But I’m hearing a little more optimism from contractors these days. And so, apparently, has the Equipment Leasing and Financing Association, which recently released a forecast for 2013 that says equipment sales will be on the rise. Among other things, the report recognizes a pent-up demand for new equipment in construction-related industries. And the ELFA says that demand is being met with continuing favorable credit conditions to finance new equipment.

UPGRADE TIME?

The association’s equipment acquisition trends list got me to wondering if more Installer readers are preparing to pull the trigger on a new mini excavator, dump truck or other equipment as they head into the busy season.

Many of you have maintained a conservative approach to big capital investments in recent years, and with good reason. Avoiding debt may have been the biggest self-preservation move for small businesses since the housing bubble burst. With little revenue coming in, you put off new equipment purchases and turned to careful maintenance of older equipment to get by.

But as the work starts coming back, will that old equipment keep your crews moving at a brisk pace? When you start having to work sun-up to sundown this summer – and there’s no wiggle room in the schedule to handle a breakdown – can you afford to keep running equipment with questionable reliability? Do you run the risk of alienating customers and losing future work if an older machine puts you behind schedule?

Then there’s the ideal convergence of pent-up demand meeting favorable borrowing terms. If you can secure credit for a needed new machine, is now the time to take the plunge? According to the ELFA, “businesses will generally find an improving credit supply as they consider equipment acquisitions.” They predict equipment investment will pick up in the second half of this year and that an improving housing sector will help.

YOUR STORY

I want to hear your outlook for the remainder of 2013. My hope is that you’re able to schedule out at least a few months in advance with new system or replacement installations this summer. Maybe you’ve already been able to book out most of the year and are looking to add new members to your team. Perhaps the workload justifies replacing that tired old excavator or the work truck with too many miles on the odometer.

You can share your story with me by emailing me at editor@onsiteinstaller.com. I’ll compile your responses and share them with readers as our own industry-specific business forecast.