Author Archives: Pitrie Neo

Syntech Engineers   →  Articles by: Pitrie Neo

What is a Tanker Truck? (A Concise Guide)

Posted on Author By Pitrie Neo

If you’re searching for a vehicle to transport liquids and gas such as petrol, diesel, chemicals or even beverages, you should be looking at a tanker truck, also known as a tank truck. This vehicle can transport large liquid hauls, especially dangerous gases, on the road. Depending on your individual requirements, these carriers can take small or medium loads.

Keep reading if you want to find out more about tanker trucks, their history and the different types available. We’ll also talk about the different sizes tanker trucks come in plus answer some frequently asked questions about this type of carrier.

What is a Tanker Truck?

A tanker truck is used to carry liquids or gases on the road. Various tank designs are dependent on the type of liquid being transported. They can be pressurised or non-pressurised, insulated or not and can carry single or multiple loads. Tanker trucks should only be operated by experienced truckers.

History of Tanker Trucks

In the 1880s, oil was transported in cans on horse-drawn carts! Fast forward to 30 years later when Standard Oil, an American oil production, transportation and refining company introduced the first motor tanker. In 1920, Anglo American Oil brought in underground tanks and delivery tankers to the UK.

Soon afterwards, in 1921, Pickford Oil joined the foray into tanker trucks. The company invested in 1,000 (4,500 litres) tanker trucks, increasing its fleet to include 3,600 (16,000 litres) carriers in the 1930s. Other countries were slower on the uptake with New Zealand welcoming their first petrol tanker in 1927 to the sounds of a brass band parade!

Different Types of Tanker Trucks

There are different types of tank trucks available and knowing their features will help you decide which one you need for your specific business. Keep in mind that more developed countries have specific safety standards that should be noted when picking a tanker truck for your carrier needs.

Oil Tanker Truck

Oil tanker trucks are designed to store and transport petroleum products to filling stations. They’re normally larger in size than some other trucks and constructed with steel or aluminium materials. The shape of oil tanker trucks varies, being either semi-elliptical or cylindrical.

Aircraft refuellers are a type of oil tanker truck used to transport aviation fuel to a stationary aircraft. These refuellers have fuel hoses that are attached to the aircraft’s tanks for refuelling. They’re designed for both overwing and underwing refuelling functions and some come with scissor lift platforms.

When choosing an aircraft refueller or oil tanker truck, consider their volume capacities which can differ depending on their size and purpose.

Vacuum Tanker

A vacuum tanker is specifically designed to pneumatically suck up liquids. Its features include a tank and a pump and can be used to suck up slurries or sludges from underground locations. Once the liquid is pumped into the tank, the vacuum tanker truck is driven to another location, such as a treatment plant, to offload the contents.

Examples of common liquids pumped and transported by this type of tanker truck include:

  • Fecal sludge from septic tanks or pit latrines
  • Industrial waste
  • Animal waste from livestock facilities

Depending on what you need, vacuum tankers can be equipped with high-pressure pumps and water-jetting machines for advanced functionality and improved performance.

Common Large Tanker Trucks

Oil tanker trucks are the most common type of large carrier. However, larger tank trucks can be used for transporting liquified loads such as molasses, milk, vegetable oils, liquid sugar, wine, water and industrial chemicals. They’re typically constructed with stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminium and fiberglass reinforced plastic materials depending on the type of fluid being stored and transported.

The inner tank can be compartmentalised for carrying multiple, mixed loads and is a common feature of oil tanker trucks, transporting different gas grades to a filling station. Tanks with multiple compartments make it easier to transport different petroleum products at the same time.

Common Small Tanker Trucks

Smaller tanker trucks are normally designed to carry up to 11,000 litres of liquids. You can commonly use them to transport lightweight liquids or gases to homes, retailers and other businesses trading in or using liquids such as liquified petroleum gas or liquid propane.

Vacuum tankers and aircraft refuellers can fall into this category, depending on their size.

Sizes of Different Tanker Trucks

When selecting a tanker truck, it’s important to take note of its size and volume capacity. These will vary depending on the truck’s specifications and regulations stipulated by your local government. Restrictions are placed on commercial vehicles, including tanker trucks, for the safety of all road users and this does impact the size of liquids carriers.

The size range of tanker trucks is quite vast. Smaller lorries can carry 1,000 litre baby tankers while others can transport 11,600 litre tanks. Larger trucks (up to 12 m) can haul up to 27,000 litre tanks. Semi-trailers measuring up to 18 m, including the trailer, can also haul up to 27,000 litres of liquids.

The maximum capacity of a tanker truck depends on the density of the liquids being hauled. A typical oil tanker truck can haul 250 barrels of oil, equivalent to just over 39,747 litres. The capacity of water tank trucks can vary from 1,890 litres to 43,910 litres.

Tanker Trucks For Your Industrial Needs

Tanker trucks play a vital role in the economy when storing and transporting various liquids and gases. Purchasing a tanker truck for your business depends on a number of factors such as the type of liquids or petroleum products being hauled, volume capacity and safety regulations. Whether you’re looking for premium oil tanker trucks or vacuum trucks, complying with road transportation safety standards is essential.

Give Syntech Engineers PTE Ltd a call on +65 6266 1088 if you’re looking to design or fit a tanker truck. Our headquarters are based in Singapore and we operate in other South East Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Tanker trucks are the way to go if you’re in the business of hauling liquids or gases safely. Please share this article if you’ve found it informative and interesting!

FAQs

1. What is carried in a tanker truck?

A range of liquids and gases can be carried in a tanker truck. These include gasoline, diesel and other liquid fuel products. They can be used to carry alcohol and most flammable or combustible fluids. Tanker trucks are sometimes used to transport non-flammable liquids such as milk or molasses.

These carriers are useful for storing and transporting most liquids and the tanks are designed to handle mildly corrosive products. Various materials are used to construct the tank depending on the type of liquid or gas being carried. Tanker trucks can’t store or transport pressurised gases or dry bulk cargo.

2. How much volume does a tanker truck carry?

The volume capacity of a tanker truck depends on its size and other specifications as well as government regulations. In the U.S, the volume capacity is controlled by the 80,000 lb. gross weight limit for trucks. For smaller tanker trucks, the maximum capacity is 13,638 litres while larger carriers are restricted to 52,735 litres.

Oil tanker trucks in countries such as Singapore can range between 1,500 litres and 27,000 litres.

3. Do tankers carry petrol and diesel?

Tankers do carry fuels and gases such as diesel, petrol, paraffin, kerosene and gas oil. Different grades and types such as 4-star, super unleaded and unleaded, must be treated differently and listed accordingly on documents when being stored and transported.

The tanker truck is constructed with materials such as mild steel or aluminium that can handle this specific type of fluid for both storage and transportation purposes. A petroleum and flammable transportation license is compulsory in countries such as Singapore for businesses storing and transporting fuels in tanker trucks.


What Is a Cement Truck & How Do They Work? (A Concise Guide)

Posted on Author By Pitrie Neo

Have you ever seen a cement truck on a construction site and wondered how those trucks work? Why does the barrel rotate? Will the cement inside dry and if so, how does that affect your cement load? If these facts capture your interest, then this article is for you.

Below we’ll take a look at the history of cement trucks and how they work. We’ll also answer a few of the more commonly asked questions about these mixer trucks. Read on as we dive right into the ins and outs of cement mixers.

What Is a Cement Truck?

A cement truck, often referred to as a cement mixer, is a heavy-duty vehicle used in the construction industry. They carry ready-mixed concrete to building or construction sites. The mixer truck features a mixing drum and specialised mixing mechanisms. Concrete is mixed inside the rotating drum.

History of Cement Trucks

The first concrete mixer was developed in 1900 by T.L. Smith in Milwaukee. The basic construction of the drum started out as a double cone with blades. The original patent for this type of truck labelled the vehicle as an “Apparatus for Concrete Work.” Over the years, this design has remained very similar but now features a tiltable conical drum.

It wasn’t until after World War II that cement trucks gained popularity. This was largely because of an increased demand for concrete to rebuild buildings that were damaged during the war.

Basic Setup of a Cement Truck

Essentially, cement mixers are equipped with two or more axles. The most common types are four, five and six-axle trucks. The number of axles used is determined by the load required as well as local legislation for heavy machinery on specific roads.

Axles distribute the load evenly and reduce the normal wear and tear on regular roads. Specialised concrete mixers such as those found at Syntech boast mixer drums with a capacity ranging from 8m3 – 12m3. Additionally, some cement trucks also feature Hardox technology that is perfect for low-weight, wear resistance and higher load capacities.

How Does a Cement Truck Work?

Concrete trucks, or in-transit mixers, are designed to mix and transport concrete to building sites.

Essentially these types of mixers are loaded with dry materials and water and set to mix during transport. Alternatively, the cement mixer can also be loaded with a “central mix” where the required cement has been pre-mixed prior to loading. The cement mixer then keeps the cement in a liquid state through agitation (turning of the drum) until delivery.

Step-By-Step Guide for How a Cement Truck Works

For a clearer understanding of how a cement truck works, we’ve broken it down into an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide.

  • Concrete mixer trucks have an interior turbine that pushes the mixed concrete against the gravity of the drum.
  • Dry concrete mix, made up of cement, sand and aggregates are added to the drum and water can be added before transport. Some cement mixers feature a water tank, which allows the driver to mix the cement closer to the job site. This is especially handy in instances where the cement company is far from the job site.
  • A spiral blade works in a rotational direction and pushes the concrete deeper into the drum to mix and prevent it from drying during transport.
  • The direction the drum rotates in while transporting is referred to as “charging” the mixer. This refers to the continuous “stirring” of the cement to keep it in its liquid state.
  • When it’s time to release the cement, an Archimedes’ screw-type application “discharges” the cement out of the drum.
  • Depending on the design of the truck, the cement may flow onto chutes to guide the sticky concrete onto the area it needs to be (sidewalks for instance).
  • If a cement mixer can’t reach the area where the cement must be dropped, construction workers opt to use a concrete pump. The concrete pump is ideal for getting concrete to multi-floor buildings or other high structures where the building is taking place.
  • Building sites need to be prepared in advance to avoid any delays once the truck arrives as leaving the cement for too long will cause it to harden, rendering it useless.
  • In some cases, drivers will wash out the cement truck drum at the job site to prevent any residual cement from hardening.

We’ve added a short clip below to show you how these steps work!

Image from Wikipedia – Operating diagram illustrates how the cement is mixed

How Long Can You Keep Cement in a Cement Truck?

Most cement manufacturers advise that concrete should be discharged from the mixer within two hours of starting the mixing process. Otherwise, the cement will start hardening.

For this reason, construction managers only request cement mixer trucks to be dispatched once the construction site has been prepared. That way the truck starts discharging as soon as it arrives on site.

How Much Cement is Usually in a Cement Truck?

Generally, most concrete trucks can hold between 11 and 15 cubic yards of concrete. Weight limits on roads in some countries might limit the allowed amount to between 8 and 11 cubic yards.

What are Cement Trucks Used For?

Essentially, cement mixer trucks are used on building sites where it isn’t always possible or practical to mix concrete on site. Since the concrete is delivered finished, on-demand and in the specific quantity needed, it’s ideal for the following uses:

  • Creating sidewalks and road structures
  • Laying asphalt for roads
  • Various applications on new structures such as multi-floor buildings

FAQs

1.     How does cement not dry in the truck?

Simply put, many mobile cement mixers contain a separate water tank inside the back of the truck. This enables the driver to mix water with the dry ingredients-aggregate and cement-whenever necessary. For maximum results, the driver will release the water to mix the cement when just a few kilometres from the job site. Doing this ensures that the cement is mixed properly and ready for use.

2.     How do they clean the inside of cement trucks?

As the cement dries, the leftover concrete builds up in the cement mixer. Additionally, a thin film of cement will remain in the drum even when it’s been emptied. Washing this cement out is best achieved by using an abrasive type of aggregate to scrub the inside of the drum. Using a mixture of cleaning stabilisers is also an effective washing method.

3.     Are cement trucks automatic or manual?

For the most part, concrete trucks come with either automatic or manual transmissions. Most older trucks featured manual transmissions, but newer models tend to be automatic. An automatic version allows the driver to utilize the truck more effectively.

4.     Why do cement trucks rotate?

Generally, the type of concrete mixer used will depend on the type and amount of concrete needed at the job site. Ready-mix concrete trucks can work as a cement agitator or mixer. Having a rotating barrel keeps the concrete at the right texture by continuously mixing the wet and dry elements in the drum/barrel.

5.     What happens if cement dries in a truck?

When cement inside the drum/barrel starts drying, the build-up slows down the mixer’s capacity. This happens because the dried cement fills the inner section of the drum. As a result, you won’t be able to fill the drum as full as usual.

Consequently, this dry cement also makes the truck heavier which in turn requires more fuel and isn’t very cost-effective. It’s always an economical idea to prevent cement drying in the truck and perform regular washouts.

Conclusion

It’s clear that cement mixers aren’t as complex as you might have thought. Once you understand the basic principles, it’s easy to see why these versatile trucks are necessary around almost every construction site.

If you’re looking for a company to fit or design your cement truck, be sure to contact Syntech. Despite being based in Singapore, they’re also available in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam. Mixing the cement on the way to the job site saves time and money. It’s the perfect way to keep your building project on schedule.

1 2

Contact Syntech

We will contact you soon!