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Pneumatic Bulk trailer (sugar)

Posted by TDOTBRO@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 31 comments

Pneumatic Bulk trailer (sugar)
Good afternoon drivers. I’ve started a new gig hauling sugar and was wondering if you guys have any tips for me. Anything and everything will be appreciated. Picture for attention.

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31 Comments

AndromedanPrince@reddit

dont eat it lol
View on Reddit #79227953

Castro0815@reddit

Watch your pressure dont walk away
View on Reddit #79222670

absurdistpassenger@reddit

Contrary to what a lot of others have said about watching the pressure guages, don't become too attached to pressure reading. Some guages aren't correct, or flat out don't work. Charge your tank pressure to just past 15 psi, open line air and product valve, then physically feel the product flow on the discharge hose. If it's a sluggish flow, make adjustments to your pressure valves. Once you achieve a constant flow, you wouldn't have to worry much about your pressure guages. I unload resin, PVC powder, and calcium. Sugar may have its own nuances that I'm not experienced with like overheating, so be mindful of that.
View on Reddit #79176892

TDOTBRO@reddit (OP)

Yeah thanks for all the pointers. Im still not used to all the different sounds it makes while working so im fixated on the gauges . Better safe and all that. And also I’ve got those clear pass through sights on my hose so I can see the flow which is a huge bonus.
View on Reddit #79184751

olenamerikkalainen@reddit

Always remember to kill the product valve if pressure starts to spike. And always close them before loading😄
View on Reddit #79179293

TDOTBRO@reddit (OP)

That’s an important advice just to drill it in! Thanks a lot.
View on Reddit #79184572

Skye_hai_bai@reddit

Make sure the gaskets on your bottom drops are nice and sealed. I've had them go bad before, and it's ruined the bottom part of loads. Don't push air too hard until you get used to your trailer. Each trailer has its own quirks in how it unloads.
View on Reddit #79177368

TDOTBRO@reddit (OP)

Thanks for the input. I’ve got a brand new trailer and shouldn’t be running into bad seals anytime soon. But thanks for the heads up.
View on Reddit #79184497

itsaheem@reddit

\- always use the safety latches on hoses, if one lets loose it could easy take your head off \- watch your gauges, you pretty quickly get a feel for where the sweet spot to unload is \- when you're driving loaded (heavy) give plenty of room to stop, stopping is the hardest part \- don't roll it cos the tanker won't stop on it's side like a normal trailer, it will keep rolling and wreck the cab bad
View on Reddit #79158177

TDOTBRO@reddit (OP)

Thanks for your advice. I will definitely be keeping the rubber side down!
View on Reddit #79184414

LunchPrestigious2255@reddit

I'm unloading sugar at this very moment. Go slow, bring ear protection, and triple check the pressure is zero before you touch a hose. Also, every trailer has quirks so ask a ton of questions.
View on Reddit #79135762

TDOTBRO@reddit (OP)

Thanks a lot for your response. Quick question for you.. I understand slow and steady is the game but I unload 20,000-30,000 kgs how long should that generally take? Just as a frame of reference.
View on Reddit #79147872

Agreeable_Employee20@reddit

Dont run it so hard you plug off, cleaning up anything because you had to disconnect from the silo sucks. Wear hearing protection, the damn things get loud but learn to listen to it run. If you listen, it will tell you when a can is about to run empty. Repetition, hook up hoses and break down hoses the same way every time, i.e. hot hose to blower, hoses to silo, catch pan if required. Learn to start at one end and go to other or around the truck in one direction. You dont have to dent the hell out of the trailer with the rubber mallet (dont you dare use a metal hammer) to check the can level and its been sitting there vibrating while running, you beating the hell out of it wont knock anything else loose from the sides. Best thing, you usually dont wait long if at all
View on Reddit #79126230

TDOTBRO@reddit (OP)

All great tips! Thank you very much. I’ve got me a rubber mallet and I just tap it hard enough to hear the sounds. Still training my ear for the different sounds it makes at different times. Yeah I’ve got a procedure in place so far that I’m going to refine as time goes with out sacrificing safety. Thanks again for your advice!
View on Reddit #79130843

edsavage404@reddit

Keep an eye on your gauges
View on Reddit #79126570

TDOTBRO@reddit (OP)

Definitely can’t be said enough!! Thanks for the input driver !
View on Reddit #79130608

ecstadtic@reddit

Unsure what sugar temps are, but a few years back I was hauling plastics resin pellets. We couldn’t push air and volume as this would heat the pipes too much, and it would create a film that would eventually clog up filters and pipes. In your case, that could be yummy caramel !
View on Reddit #79126085

TDOTBRO@reddit (OP)

From what I’ve heard it need to get quite hot before the melting begins but knock on wood haven’t had to deal with that yet. I monitor all my gauges . Thanks for your input.
View on Reddit #79130565

Shut_It_Donny@reddit

I know at least one of our resin tanks has a heat exchanger to try to avoid that.
View on Reddit #79126490

Chubacca26@reddit

I did cement with those. To balance the load I had to back up and stop hard right after loading to avoid being to heavy on the drives. That stuff moves a lot when initially loaded, like water. It'll settle over time, but stay wary of sudden movements.
View on Reddit #79125937

TDOTBRO@reddit (OP)

That’s a great tip. Doesn’t hurt to balance it out before heading out. And I definitely got my ear covers. Can’t let The tinnitus get any worse . Thanks a lot for your help.
View on Reddit #79130431

reducethedebt@reddit

My advice is to take your time and always double check your line connections when you turn on the pump to get the stuff in and out.
View on Reddit #79125832

TDOTBRO@reddit (OP)

Ohhh yes! Got my hi vis orange Velcro straps! I’m always going to use them! Thank you for your help!
View on Reddit #79130240

CobraWasTaken@reddit

Yeah and always Velcro the dog ears (or secure them in another way if applicable)
View on Reddit #79126023

Baconated-Coffee@reddit

[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TJSZ5JJ?th=1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TJSZ5JJ?th=1) I used these, especially for my hot hose. I don't know why, but my hot hose liked to pop off the blower and these things could take the heat. Velcro and bungee cords would always melt.
View on Reddit #79128269

CobraWasTaken@reddit

I have also used those. Definitely easier to clean. I used to haul food grade liquids and being able to just rinse them off with water real quick was convenient
View on Reddit #79128395

reducethedebt@reddit

I bungee corded then myself .... But I was doing sand and the trailer was a POS
View on Reddit #79126170

msmith7871@reddit

That stuff walks and line dances the whole time you have it. Treat the trailer like you are hauling water. that way the surge won't get you at stop lights or heavy traffic......
View on Reddit #79125499

TDOTBRO@reddit (OP)

I used to haul fuel before so taking her easy is ingrained in me. But the weird shape of the hoppers makes me more careful for sure. Thank you for your input.
View on Reddit #79130157

BeautifulBarracuda90@reddit

That's a sweet ride
View on Reddit #79125295

TDOTBRO@reddit (OP)

It really is. It’s not my truck but this truck is the main pneumatic trailer video on YouTube so thought of using her truck out of respect.
View on Reddit #79130013