[Kenny83]

Hi, 1 st of all I'd just like to introduce myself as I'm relatively new here, I'm Lee, I started doing pressure washing part time mainly in the Wigan area last year, after being pleasantly suprised at how well I did last year after running a 5.5 hp honda kew out the back of a renault kangoo in my spare time I have decided to step it up a gear...
I have invested in a 13hp honda gerni, and a honda gd411 deisel with interpump/gearbox/ all the bells and whistles... lol.
Anyway, last year using my 5.5hp honda I discovered that some taps didn't have the pressure/flow to power my machine, so basically I've no chance with these two new washers as 1 of them runs at 20 ltrs per minute! Hence the need for an IBC / tank, I have got rid of my kangoo and bought myself a transit, although it is a transit 80 and there fore only carries 800kg? so iI would be correct in getting a 600 ltr IBC as opposed to a 650 baffled tank for the extra 50kg?
I have bought the tanks but was wondering if anyone has ever used 1 and if so did it need to be baffled? If so how was this done? Also any pointers on installing it into a van would be much appreciated... I am on a tight budget so lookibng for more the DIY alternative guys if possible, Thanks

Also anyone selling any cheap van racking??? ThanksPS, I have posted this in the window cleaning section too as I guess these guys deal with this kind of thing all the time

[Matt Gibson]

Hi mate,
welcome, youll find a heap of info on here from all the guys, they have already helped m out alot!

I very rarely drive around with any water in my tank, i have a 400L upright baffled and i just have it ratchet strapped to the bulkhead, Pull up to the job, hook the hose up to it(ballcock fitting in the top/side of the tank) and get it filled. towards the end of the job i just turn the tap off and use the remaining water in the tank for the end of the job, so im not wasting the custys water!

The baffles are handy if your driving with full tanks, as it doesnt slop round but like i said, my tanks are always empty.

hope this helps.

Matt.

[Kenny83]

Yes I see what you mean, I was thinking of getting a 200 ltr tank/butt aswell for if I'm rooung the back of a customers house to save having pipes everywhere, how do you get orund the problem if you need your jetwasher away form your van? As all the suck and return pipes I have seen only seem to be a few meters long? Thanks.

[Matt Gibson]

You can use a small bin, or one of those flexible buckets (the ones they use to knock plaster up in, not sure what they are called) and just leave the hose in it constantly filling up when your out the back.

I have a smaller machine that i use for jobs like that, so i dont need as much pressure from the tap. Most ppl have a backyard tap.

[Kenny83]

ok, thanks, what would be your approach to a narrow drive where you can't fit your van on and have to leave it on the road, how do you get round the pipe across the pavement? Is there anyway round that? I have visions of some by passer tripping on my hose...

[BDCS]

       First you don't need to baffle if the tanks full it can't move around in the tank but obviously you do if there is any space. I did the window cleaner's down the road with drainage tube stood upright inside the tank. Straps won't hold it if you smack the van - my drain jetter is 1.6 tonnes full and has 8 bolts with 100mm washers underneath. Take a look at the window cleaning system crash tests !
       I use a 120 ltr wheely bin when I'm pressure washing which works fine but I'm using a 15 l/min m/c, the hoses are plumbed through the bottom which gives the pump a positive feed which helps pump life - my pump has done 7 seasons but won't make it through another without a reseal. I can run the washer from the tank in the van but only do for grafitti jobs and washing the bike
      The payload will include the vans fuel, plylining, kit, you and your sandwiches - before you put water in it.

[Kenny83]

Thanks BCDS, I understand about the weight issue etc, which is why i have gone for the 600ltr, how did you install the IBC in your neighbours van? and where abouts? I'm guessing a steel bulkhead would rip like paper with 600 kg hitting it at 50 mph ? Would you recommend boting it straight to the chassis? i'll be using it for graffiti jobs too, and also site work, untill I save up for towing bowser.
Although I'll be leaing it empty most of the time, filling up the night before a job. What size tank do you have?

[Matt Gibson]

       Straps won't hold it if you smack the van

I only use straps to hold it in because i never drive with it full.

BDCS,

Does having the water feed from the bttom really make that much of a difference? ive always had mine hung in the top of the tank when im running the machine. what about the length of the inlet pipe?

Kenny,

I had a sheet of checker plater aluminium bent and made up into a ramp, so you run your hoses and just drop the ramp over them, no more lawsuits!  

[Kenny83]

Good idea matt, did it cost you much? Also do you leave the pressure washer in the van or put it on the drive and have the suck and return pipes running under your ramp?
P.S, nice website mate, does it bring you much work? How long have you been pressure washing?

[BDCS]

He has strapped the tank the tank against the steel bulkhead - scares me !

Yes it does prolong life but I don't know how much - its so easy to do so why not ? It prevents cavitation. The suction hose can be any length so long as the supply is positve else you will get cavitation which would kill a pump. I'm not saying using the pump to suck is wrong because it will syphon once it gets going but there is no lubrication at the pistons while it is sucking, by using a head of water in the tank the water can be run through the pump before starting the engine. Would you start your car before putting oil in the engine - extreme but the same principle  :

[Matt Gibson]

BDCS,

Yeah thats true, ill have to change the feed point around, as you say, its not hard to do. And whats wrong with having the tank strapped into the bulkhead if its ALWAYS empty when i drive? what does an empty tank weigh?

Kenny,

I got the ramp made up cheap, just got a sheet of plate, nothing too thick, and took it to a engineers. All up cost me about £30. i looked around to buy one and couldnt find one for less than £150

Cheers about the website, it was my first attempt at doing it myself. Im pretty happy with it. ive got a few emails through the website but ive only just gone out on my own, i used to work for a brick cleaning company in london. Been doing this far too long

[BDCS]

I never meant an empty tank  :

[Kenny83]

thanks guys... so... anyone any tips on installing an actual 600ltr ibc? Ie, bolts into the the chassis? or ratchets? weld to the floor?

[Blast Away]

thanks guys... so... anyone any tips on installing an actual 600ltr ibc? Ie, bolts into the the chassis? or ratchets? weld to the floor?

No but here's a tip for ya. Arrange your own text on your 'Areas we cover' page instead of extracting off my site. You make it so obvious by leaving 'Blast Away' left in the middle of the text.

[Matt Gibson]

i wondered why you had all that text on the bottom of your pages lee, just clicked that its for the SEO for the google rankings...

[Kenny83]

thanks guys... so... anyone any tips on installing an actual 600ltr ibc? Ie, bolts into the the chassis? or ratchets? weld to the floor?

No but here's a tip for ya. Arrange your own text on your 'Areas we cover' page instead of extracting off my site. You make it so obvious by leaving 'Blast Away' left in the middle of the text.

To be honest I though the web designer I used took it off the pavign shield website? I did give him your website as an example of a pressure washing firm... I suppose it's a complement to your wensite in a way, it's a good site.

[Kenny83]

I see you seem to run a good business, and take it you have an IBc? Or do you not? any pointers as to how to install it please?

[Blast Away]

I see you seem to run a good business, and take it you have an IBc? Or do you not? any pointers as to how to install it please?

The floor is wood lined in mine with a 1000 liter IBC. It's not bolted down to that and it doesn't move and can't move with the fixed machines and reels that are around it.

[Kenny83]

I see you seem to run a good business, and take it you have an IBc? Or do you not? any pointers as to how to install it please?

The floor is wood lined in mine with a 1000 liter IDB. It's not bolted down to that and it doesn't move and can't move with the fixed machines and reels that are around it.

Yea the floor is wood lined in mine too, just been talking to a welder who will install it for me by welding a frame to the floor in which it slides in and out and then hoops to ratchet strap over the top of it, should be safe, and can pull it out when it's empty if I need to use the s[pace for something else, sorted. Thanks

[Blast Away]

Screw some batons to the floor with self tappers