Vactor Winterization Guide

by | Sep 12, 2023 | JDC News

Follow this step-by-step guide to help prevent ice from forming in your water system:

  1. Move the vehicle to a suitable drain location and shut unit down.
  2. Remove the clamp, cap, gasket, and screen from the Y-strainer. Some units may have multiple Y-strainers.
  3. Open the water tank drains located on the bottom of the water tanks and heat exchanger drain. Note: When draining is completed open all ball valves, put Y-strainers, cap, clamp, and drain plugs in a tool box if the unit willsit overnight or longer. The will allow any residual water to drain.
  4. Remove the HXX gun, lateral clean out and hand gun quick couplers/ quick disconnects from hand gun hose reel (if equipped) and hand gun outlet at rear of truck.
  5. Start truck engine and leave engine at idle.
  6. Using the instructions posted in the truck cab, engage the hydraulic pump.
  7. REMOVE nozzle from rodder hose. Remove the rodder pump drain plugs or open the drain ball valves (if equipped) and drain from the water pump.
  8. Stand clear of all outlets and activate the rodder pump valve switch.
  9. Set the RODDER PUMP switch to ON.
  10. Run until all water is expelled from the rodder pump.
  11. Set the RODDER PUMP switch to OFF.
  12. Using plastic ties, secure end of rodder hose to adjacent wrap of hose on hose reel. Rodder hose must be wound tightly and orderly on the hose reel.
  13. Once the end of the hose is secured rotate the hose reel backwards to expel residual water that will collect in the lower coils of the hose, rotate until no more water comes out.
  14. Set the RODDER PUMP switch to OFF.
  15. Close the RODDER switch located on the passenger side pane; and open the HAND GUN, HXX, and LATERAL ball valves one at a time with the clamp, cap, and Y-strainer.
  16. Set the RODDER PUMP switch to ON. The Rodder Pump will act like an air compressor. Run until all water is expelled from the HAND GUN, HXX and LATERAL systems. Drain the hoses before storage by walking the water out of the hose while holding the valve open.
  17. Set the RODDER PUMP switch to OFF.
  18. Set the HAND GUN valve in the ON position.
  19. Set the RODDER PUMP switch to ON.
  20. Operate rodder pump until all water and debris is clear from drain plugs or remote drains.
  21. Set the RODDER PUMP switch to OFF.
  22. Using instructions posted in cab, disengage hydraulic pump.
  23. Remove debris body washout drain plug and open ball valves, if equipped.

YOUR VACTOR IS NOW READY FOR STORAGE.

On START-UP, close rodder pump remote drain ball valves, place either HAND GUN or RODDER ball valve in the ON position, replace hand gun quick couples/quick disconnects and install screen, cap, and clamp on Y-strainer, close water tank drains before filling water tanks.

IMPORTANT:

If allowed to freeze, the water barrel can be damaged. If you suspect there is frozen or even partially frozen water, the pump must be placed indoors or the pump must be heated until ALL the ice 1s melted before the pump can be stroked. Leave all drain valves open to ensure the melting ice thaws and drains.

The heat exchanger is normally located on the passenger side inboard of the rodder pump paralleling the drive line. Note the water drain line going out to the rodder pump base. Dual heat exchangers are normally only on PD units. The heat exchangers are drained through one drain on the fans or the two drains on the PD units, 1 / 4 turn valves under the water pump. The heat exchanger is normally located on the passenger side along the drive line. Note the water drain line going out to the driver side of the unit.