Need help with pumping septic

[jbarker855]

Hello all-
I have 1000 gallon septic tank but my problem is that we have a fairly small bridge on our property that no septic truck companies are willing to cross. They used to years ago, but as time goes by most of the companies have gotten rid of their smaller trucks. Additionally as time goes by, there seems to be more worry about getting sued for this or that so they are unwilling to attempt crossing our bridge anymore. I have called just about every company around. I have come to the conclusion that it would be easier just to pump it myself. I do have a company who is willing to pull his truck up to the bridge and then I will pump it into his truck. The bridge is about 300 feet from the septic tank. Luckily, it is a downhill run. Probably goes down 5 or 10 vertical feet.
My question Is what type of pump should I buy and what size hose. I could get an electric sewage ejector pump or I could buy a gas powered trash or semi trash pump.The electric pumps are in the neighborhood of 1/2hp, 25 feet max head, 80 gallons per minute, 2 inch discharge, handles soft solids up to 2 inches.
For a gas pump, Harbor freight offers three different options, Ranging from 158 to 380 gallons per minute. They do not specify horsepower ratings on the engine but they look like they range in size from roughly 5 to 8 hp. The smaller gas powered pump has a 2 inch inlet and outlet. The larger pumps have 3 inch inlets and outlets. They are designed to pass hard solids from five eights to three-quarter inch diameter.
I am willing to buy any equipment necessary but I do not want to buy unnecessarily oversized equipment. I understand I will need to use a muck rake to break up the scum layer and to lift up solids from the bottom.
Any advice on pump sizing or other thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
As a last thought, please just accept it as a given that pumping the tank myself is our last option. Reinforcing the bridge really is not an option (it is 90 feet long). I do not want to petition a town for sewer hook up (there is none). And I understand that there are germs in poop.
Thanks!
-Jay

 

[Industrial Toys]

Can't you find an operator with smaller equipment? Maybe do it in two pumping sessions. Like a small pickup that handles porta-potties? Messing with poop would be the last thing I would feel like doing. How would you clean the equipment? Do you have a thousand gallon tank and truck to transport the material?

Curious on your thoughts about getting fire fighting equipment to your buildings.

 

[Rebeldad1]

if no fire trucks will go across = no homeowner insurance

 

[Doofy]

I had mine pumped for the first time after about 30 years. We have always used "Riddex" type enzymes and hardly had any hard scum layer. However, we did suck out a few small kids toys and a lot of handi-wipes that shouldn't have ever been flushed.

The pump and hoses will get very expensive. Why not just have the Vacuum Truck suck out the tank from the bridge. They could use all of their hose available and you could just make up the difference with hose. Of course, that could be to far to suck and must be pumped up the hill. No place to rent a pump?

 

[radios1]

I can't imagine that the bridge is the only way to access the septic, that's one side, what about the other three sides without a bridge??..

 

[dodge man]

I would ask the company that does the pumping what they would recommend. I assume they will still come, you just have to pump to them?

 

[LouNY]

All the septic trucks that I have seen were vacuum units.
Before I would consider a pump I would price enough hose to add to whomever you have come out to "pump" it.

Or/and just a small grinder type pump to circulate and churn up the tank so it all sucks out.

As far as being afraid of it, it's just organic material.

 

[Doofy]

A combo of you pumping and them sucking may actually work well. Or, find out where all the small vacuum trucks have gone and go buy or rent one.

 

[drssg]

I would buy a new bridge, instead of a septic pump. The bridge is much more multi-purpose.

 

[turnkey4099]

300 ft with a downhill run looks feasible for a vacuum truck. May be too much pipe resistance.

 

[fried1765]

I would buy a new bridge, instead of a septic pump. The bridge is much more multi-purpose.

Replacing a 90 ft. bridge could be in the $100,000+ cost range.
I do not see that as a realistic solution.

 

[LittleBill21]

im surprised no one knows about macerators, guess no rver's

Amazon.com: Flojet 18555A 18555-A Portable RV Waste Pump: Sports & Outdoors

this uses a garden hose...

 

[Doofy]

CH-47 or an S-64 Skycrane.

 

[/pine]

You might try calling companies that supply and service portable toilets...they usually have smaller trucks with pumping capabilities...it may take more than one trip but it might be worth the effort to call and see...

Good Luck...

 

[Doofy]

You might try calling companies that supply and service portable toilets...they usually have smaller trucks with pumping capabilities...it may take more than one trip but it might be worth the effort to call and see...

Good Luck...

That is some good advice. There has to be a solution that doesn't break the bank.

 

[jbarker855]

Replacing a 90 ft. bridge could be in the $100,000+ cost range.
I do not see that as a realistic solution.

Exactly right my friend. But it was a funny suggestion.

Septic guy who will let me pump into his truck isn稚 super helpful. He just knows his suction unit. Does not know a lot about pumps. Either do I. Thus my question.
My property is buried in the woods. Bridge is the only point of access for a 2WD truck.
Suction hose is very expensive. I would be well over $1000 for the hose alone to try to extend the septic trucks suction capabilities. And I highly doubt it will work. Pumps in general can push a long distance, but they can pull much less.

 

[jbarker855]

You might try calling companies that supply and service portable toilets...they usually have smaller trucks with pumping capabilities...it may take more than one trip but it might be worth the effort to call and see...

Good Luck...

I thought that was a fantastic idea so I called a few septic companies. Apparently, the smaller trucks that service Porta potties also have weaker suction and smaller diameter hoses. They were doubtful that those pumps would have the capability to suck the sludge out of a tank..

 

[dragoneggs]

300 ft with a downhill run looks feasible for a vacuum truck. May be too much pipe resistance.

My next door neighbor has exactly this situation. About 300ft and a slight downhill feed to the truck. They just brought extra hose and it was no problem. Just had it pumped about 3 weeks ago and I watched as they had to cross our property with the hose. I wouldn't let them drive across as I have retaining wall drain lines and my own drain field they would have to drive over. No way!

 

[Doofy]

I thought that was a fantastic idea so I called a few septic companies. Apparently, the smaller trucks that service Porta potties also have weaker suction and smaller diameter hoses. They were doubtful that those pumps would have the capability to suck the sludge out of a tank..

Oh come now. Have a garden hose available to soften and break up any sludge to make easier pumping. The porta-potty pumpers usually carry a small fresh water tank also but more water never hurts.

 

[4570Man]

How bad is the bridge? Most of the septic pump trucks are just single axle medium duty trucks. And if they won’t cross the fire department probably won’t either.