Vacuum Tankers with splash plate

[DanielF]

So i was thinking of buying an old vacuum tanker with a splash plate for using to spread the effluent from our silage pit.
But having never used one before im not sure of the ins and outs.
Does the tanker force the liquid out onto the splash plate so does the pto and pump need to be attached and running?
And im guessing i cant fill the tanker just with a normal pump and then just let the effluent run out the back onto the plate?
Any advice is appreciated and sorry for the stupid question!

 

[manfromhill]

The vacuum pump had 2 positions one to suck in and the other to force back out so yes you need pto on to empty

 

[jondear]

How wet is your silage ?Maybe invest in a tedder.

 

[Sid]

How wet is your silage ?Maybe invest in a tedder.

Was reading a piece in dairy magazine yesterday about tedding.

Gras cut and left took 20hrs to get to 30% DM
Grass cut and ted took 5 hrs to get to 30%DM

Therefore conserving more of the nutrients

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I was told, when putting the tanker away, suck half a bucket of diesel into the pump, so there is diesel on the vanes to protect them until it is used next time

 

[d williams]

So i was thinking of buying an old vacuum tanker with a splash plate for using to spread the effluent from our silage pit.
But having never used one before im not sure of the ins and outs.
Does the tanker force the liquid out onto the splash plate so does the pto and pump need to be attached and running?
And im guessing i cant fill the tanker just with a normal pump and then just let the effluent run out the back onto the plate?
Any advice is appreciated and sorry for the stupid question!

If you fill with another pump then as log as it’s vented at the top then it will gravity empty no problem but effluent can be quite potent watch you don’t burn the grass
Some used to put in tank cattle will drink

 

[Netherfield]

You don't need the pump to empty it, but you do need the pump to spread it properly.

 

[tepapa]

Was reading a piece in dairy magazine yesterday about tedding.

Gras cut and left took 20hrs to get to 30% DM
Grass cut and ted took 5 hrs to get to 30%DM

Therefore conserving more of the nutrients

My neighbor made haylage last year. Cut, spread wilted 24hrs and baled. Came out at 59% dry matter. Then spent all winter adding water to the TMR .

 

[Ffermer Bach]

why not just spread the effluent with the slurry? Surely an easier way isn't it? Especially as it is lethal stuff in water courses because of it's high biological oxygen demand or empty it on the muck heap (if you haven't got slurry) and spread it with the muck. Strawey muck could always soak in a bit more liquid.

 

[d williams]

My neighbor made haylage last year. Cut, spread wilted 24hrs and baled. Came out at 59% dry matter. Then spent all winter adding water to the TMR .

I’d say that it must have been dead on its feet
Haylage more like20/25

 

[deleted user 837354]

Silage effluent is horrid stuff, can burn the grass if you aren't careful. Best pumped into the slurry store when it is being emptied to dilute it down but do not add it to slurry under slats as it can cause the formation dangerous gases. Add to open air stores only.

 

[Highland Mule]

Used to spread effluent straight from the tank with a side discharge dung spreader. Loaded it with a 2" water pump and then a quick sprint to the nearest grass field. You could fair see where it was spread too, and got great grass growth (just as long as it didn't burn). Started on low revs and high gear and just let it splash out slowly. Not ideal, but did job.

 

[DanielF]

Used to spread effluent straight from the tank with a side discharge dung spreader. Loaded it with a 2" water pump and then a quick sprint to the nearest grass field. You could fair see where it was spread too, and got great grass growth (just as long as it didn't burn). Started on low revs and high gear and just let it splash out slowly. Not ideal, but did job.

Thats what we do at the moment but its a noisy job! Plus our old side discharge spreader is virtually ready for the scrap!

 

[Brisel]

I was told, when putting the tanker away, suck half a bucket of diesel into the pump, so there is diesel on the vanes to protect them until it is used next time

Won't this wreck the pump? They won't compress a liquid. Certainly mist some oil in but not complete liquid.

 

[DanielF]

If you fill with another pump then as log as it’s vented at the top then it will gravity empty no problem but effluent can be quite potent watch you don’t burn the grass
Some used to put in tank cattle will drink

I take it that if it was just emptying by gravity that it wouldnt get spread very wide off the plate?
Theres a few pretty cheap looking vacuum tankers coming up for auction near me. They are advertised as “in good working order” but dont want to rely solely on then actually working. Plus iv already got hoses and pumps etc for pumping the effluent.

 

[d williams]

I take it that if it was just emptying by gravity that it wouldnt get spread very wide off the plate?
Theres a few pretty cheap looking vacuum tankers coming up for auction near me. They are advertised as “in good working order” but dont want to rely solely on then actually working. Plus iv already got hoses and pumps etc for pumping the effluent.

Yes that’s all you’ll get without pressure in the tank could dilute it with water 1/3 effluent 2:3 water

 

[Ffermer Bach]

Won't this wreck the pump? They won't compress a liquid. Certainly mist some oil in but not complete liquid.

hold the bucket near the intake and it sort of suck the diesel in, I was told this by the person I bought the tanker from and I have kept doing it.

 

[Limcrazy]

Spread when it's raining and drive fast plenty of revs and no overlapping.

 

[ridger]

hold the bucket near the intake and it sort of suck the diesel in, I was told this by the person I bought the tanker from and I have kept doing it.

I just run it down over the air intake or exhaust pipe and it sucks it in