As China’s urban areas develop rapidly, tanker trucks have become increasingly common, particularly for diesel transportation. Proper maintenance ensures optimal vehicle performance. Pre-trip, in-transit, and post-trip inspections, cleaning, tightening, and refueling are essential to identify and address potential issues or safety hazards promptly.
So, what are the key maintenance tasks for a tanker truck’s tank body? Below, we break down the inspection points for critical components.
- Check if color bands, "No Smoking" signs, hazardous material warning lights, and placards are intact, legible, and standardized.
- Verify that the hazardous material placard matches the actual cargo (see image below). This is crucial.
- The paint should be vibrant, with clear boundaries, no peeling, or wrinkles. Pay special attention to fading or localized peeling on the tank top.
- Inspect for dents, deformations, or corrosion. If significant damage is found, immediately cease use and have it repaired by a certified facility. If beyond repair, the tank should be scrapped.
- Check for cracks in the main beams, sub-beams, tank wing plate roots, and welding joints.
- Look for leaks on the tank exterior and connections. Inspect valve flanges, joints, and nearby tank walls for residue, stains, or dirt.
- Ensure all bolts on manholes or liquid filling ports are complete, secure, and undamaged.
- Verify that the tank-to-chassis connection and fastening devices are sturdy. Check bolts, nuts, and washers for completeness, corrosion, looseness, or deformation.
- Inspect the shock-absorbing rubber pads between the tank and chassis for proper alignment, deformation, aging, or damage. Misalignment often occurs near the front head’s anti-vibration pad—if displaced, bolts may loosen.
- Each independent tank compartment must have at least one breather valve. If a single compartment exceeds 12 m³, two or more are required.
- Ensure breather valves are intact. For internally mounted valves, vibrations during transport may dislodge components, exposing the tank to external air—a dangerous situation.
- Test breather valve performance using specialized equipment to verify opening/closing pressures:
- **Exhaust valve** should open when internal pressure exceeds external pressure by 6–8 kPa.
- **Intake valve** should open when internal pressure drops below external pressure by 2–3 kPa.
- Check for loose, missing, or detached baffles. Early models with bolted or spot-welded baffles are prone to detachment, causing noise during transit.
- Inspect baffles for cracks, especially around manhole edges.
- Ensure valve materials are compatible with the transported medium (e.g., copper, aluminum alloy, or stainless steel for flammable/explosive cargo).
- Verify that discharge ports have protective covers or collision guards with intact sealing gaskets. Missing gaskets compromise sealing.
- Inspect valves, flanges, and connections for leaks, cracks, corrosion, or deformation. After loading, monitor for leaks.
- Avoid rubber hoses during modifications—use rigid piping.
- Discharge valves at the rear head must not extend beyond the bumper.
- If the battery is mounted under the tank, ensure it has a secure, closed cover.
- The tank must carry at least two fire extinguishers or suppression devices compatible with the cargo.
- The exhaust system should be fire-resistant or equipped with a spark arrestor, with the outlet directed to the front of the vehicle and in good condition.
- Ensure valve boxes are free of debris, with intact doors.
- Manhole covers must have undamaged, non-deformed gaskets. Replace if compromised.
- Verify ladder stability—no cracks or looseness.
- The top platform must be secure, with no damaged wire mesh.
- Loading hoses must be compatible with the medium, free of deformation, cracks, or blockages. Ends should have secure, dedicated connectors.
By following these maintenance and inspection guidelines, tanker truck operators can ensure safety, prevent accidents, and extend the vehicle’s lifespan.