+ Reply to Thread
Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast
Results 11 to 20 of 28

Thread: Cleaning 275 gal totes

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Washington County, VT
    Posts
    195

    Default

    I brought my totes to a self serve car wash last year. Worked quite nicely. Just make sure you rinse thoroughly.
    173 on 3/16 natural vac for 2023
    36 buckets
    2 x 5 Smoky Lake Hybrid pan on a custom arch
    RB25 from RO Bucket
    12x24 salvaged sugarhouse built by wife's grandpa
    1965 Massey Ferguson 165 tractor to haul sap.

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Barnet, VT
    Posts
    2,580

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by billyinvt View Post
    I brought my totes to a self serve car wash last year. Worked quite nicely. Just make sure you rinse thoroughly.
    Most car washes recycle water. So whatever came off cars will be in your sap. Gas. Oil.
    William
    950 taps
    3 X 12 Thor pans on a Brian Arch
    CDL 600 expandable

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Rock Creek, NC
    Posts
    5,807

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Haynes Forest Products View Post
    When you scrub and scrape on the interior of the tank you will cause areas that will be harder to clean and will allow bacteria to hide.
    Agreed, Most of the time I can get my tanks clean with just the pressure washer but can get inside now to clean the stuff that won't come off with the pressure washer.
    Russ

    "Red Roof Maples" Where the term "boiling soda" was first introduced to the maple world!

    1930 Ford Model AA Doodlebug tractor
    A couple of Honda 4 wheelers
    Four chainsaws and no chickens!

  4. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Eden Prairie, MN
    Posts
    1,636

    Default

    Much like Haynes ( i can't believe I said that!) we don't worry about getting tanks perfectly clean after the season, just a rinse. Invariably they need cleaning again the following year anyway.

    When the season arrives, we want them sparkling. After working through the tiny port I gave up, we cut the top off and replaced it with a sheet of polycarbonate plastic. Now we lift that off and can easily wipe down the sides and bottom. We use H202. This system works great for us.
    John
    2x8 Smokylake drop flue with AOF/ AUF
    180 taps on sacks
    75 on 3/16 tubing with shurflo
    Eden Prairie, Minnesota

  5. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Washington County, VT
    Posts
    195

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by wiam View Post
    Most car washes recycle water. So whatever came off cars will be in your sap. Gas. Oil.
    Right. That was the rinse thoroughly part. Before sap goes in, we do a warm water bleach rinse and three of four fresh water rinses.
    173 on 3/16 natural vac for 2023
    36 buckets
    2 x 5 Smoky Lake Hybrid pan on a custom arch
    RB25 from RO Bucket
    12x24 salvaged sugarhouse built by wife's grandpa
    1965 Massey Ferguson 165 tractor to haul sap.

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Barnet, VT
    Posts
    2,580

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by billyinvt View Post
    Right. That was the rinse thoroughly part. Before sap goes in, we do a warm water bleach rinse and three of four fresh water rinses.
    I get it. It’s ok to spray gas in you sap tank as long as you use bleach after......
    William
    950 taps
    3 X 12 Thor pans on a Brian Arch
    CDL 600 expandable

  7. #17
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Potter County, PA
    Posts
    815

    Default

    Last i used a car wash, it didnt put the mud, oil, and tar back on my car. I dont think a carwash would last long if they recycled back to their hoses.

    Now i do know that the good ones use a R/O to give you that nice spotless shine.

    A car wash is probably a better choice than the hose from the well, which is located only 100ft away from the septic leach field.
    Last edited by mellondome; 05-15-2018 at 08:09 PM.
    2008 4 buckets
    ~
    2016 1300 vac tubing
    18x24 sugar shack
    2x6 Grimm Lightning w/preheater on natural gas
    7" full bank press
    CDL 600 RO
    2000 Sonoma w/ 200gal tank
    2003 Duramax w/ 500 gal tank
    2 sap guzzling kids
    very patient wife!

    Same ol' addiction

  8. #18
    Haynes Forest Products Guest

    Default

    I don't think anyone is advocating spraying the tank with gas. I cleaned a tank I use here in Denver that had Guava oil and it was nasty sticky. I squirted in a bottle of Dawn and went to the car wash and closed the valve and sprayed away until it was full of foam and drained as I sprayed. I can say that it was nice and clean.

  9. #19
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Wisconsin, Spring Valley
    Posts
    185

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Russell Lampron View Post
    I bought and installed these manhole covers that I got on Amazon. I lay the tote on it's side and reach in and scrub all of the surfaces with a Scotchbrite pad. I then rinse it out with a pressure washer.

    Attachment 18650

    Attachment 18651
    Anybody ever install one of them covers on them plastic tanks,that are made for hauling water in the back of a pickup?They have such little covers,one mounted in center would be nice.

    Sap Hauler
    -1996 Ford F250
    -2003 Yamaha Grizzly 660
    2016 Year:About 925 Taps on 3/16
    2015 Year:About 775 Taps
    2014 Year:About 270 Taps
    2013 Year:About 265 Taps
    2012 Year:About 200 Taps
    2011 Year:About 200 Taps
    2010 Year:About 65 Taps

  10. #20
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Ashford, CT
    Posts
    918

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by wiam View Post
    Most car washes recycle water. So whatever came off cars will be in your sap. Gas. Oil.
    Not all places recycle but for those that do, it's filtered, sometimes through an RO:

    http://www.carwash.com/carwash-water-recycling/

    If a place advertises a "spot free rinse" then the water has to be pure, otherwise anything in it would leave a spot behind.

    That being said, I don't know how the washer at a car wash is any different than a pressure washer. I have one that I use exclusively with water and it's probably one of the best investments I made for clean-up.
    About 300 taps
    2'x6' air tight arch
    Semi complete 12'x24' sugarhouse in Somers, CT
    My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CapturedNature
    My eBook: Making Maple Syrup in your Backyard

+ Reply to Thread
Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts