MobyDick – How Do You Choose the Right Wheel Wash for Your Needs?

How Do You Choose the Right Wheel Wash for Your Needs With MobyDick?

Wheel wash systems are technologies that have come a long way in the last few decades. Although such jobs used to be conducted by hand on sites as trucks left to take to the public road, increasingly this has been replaced by automation, much of it drawn from highly sophisticated technology. Nowadays, there are a plethora of different systems you could employ at your site to prevent road contamination of both grime and pollution. Read on to find out more about how you can go about selecting the right solution from MobyDick to meet your particular requirements.

The Importance of Modern Wheel Wash Technologies

Alongside dust control and demucking systems, wheel wash technologies are just about the most important aspect of controlling the spread of dirt and contaminants from one site to another and from private spaces to the public realm. Although you may also need a demucking system for your construction equipment, military vehicles or rail rolling stock – to name but three examples – it is likely that particular attention will need to be paid to the wheels of your vehicles.

This is because it is the wheels and the underbody of any moving equipment that will be most likely to come into contact with dirt in the first place. Furthermore, since wheels come into direct contact with the road or rail they will convey themselves along, this is the most crucial part of any cleaning and anti-pollution management system you may put in place. In other words, even if you already have other control measures in place, particular attention to wheel wash technologies should always be paid. This is where MobyDick can help.

A Modular Approach

In many situations, a modular approach to wheel washing is the preferred solution. This is something that tends to be particularly useful, for instance, in the construction industry where conditions can change as the site in question develops. For example, MobyDick’s modular wheel wash units can be set up for very high levels of cleanliness while a site is being cleared and then undergoing a decontamination programme, something that is quite common on so-called brownfield sites these days, especially those which had a former industrial use.

As the site progresses to its build phase, so trucks and earthmoving vehicles, such as backhoe loaders and mini diggers, may not need the same level of wash to make them clean enough to take to the road. A flexible drive-through system which can be adapted as requirements alter is likely to be the best option. Crucially, this is not just about minimising the ongoing running costs of the wheel washer but about achieving as low a possible initial outlay, too.

Such modular wheel wash systems are commonly distinguished by their durable build quality, high level of performance and – something that is important for many building site managers – their rapid installation times. Furthermore, the ongoing adaptability of a modular wheel washing unit means that they can be extended or shortened, as appropriate to the changing site’s needs. It is even possible to add chain conveyors and to provide a mobile operation with modular wheel washing units. Indeed, all of this can all be achieved in a cost-effective manner in the most straightforward way possible.

High-Frequency Wheel Wash Solutions

When you have a lot of vehicles that need to be cleaned before they can move on, it may be more important to prioritise speed than the flexibility that a modular approach can bring. High-frequency wheel wash solutions are available from MobyDick which mean that operations can continue without significant delays or queues building up for drivers to be able to continue with their onward journeys. Both mobile and stationary wheel washing systems are available which offer this level of high-frequency cleaning, so there are still plenty of options available.

A MobyDick high-frequency system is not simply run to process vehicles in as fast a manner as possible. Such cleaning technology is still there to provide a very high level of cleanliness despite the increased throughput rates. Although top quality ones a relatively simple to install and start operating, they are designed for very low levels of ongoing maintenance. After all, with a high-frequency system, the last thing you need is for operations to stall because the wheel washing unit is out of action for a couple of hours due to a repair requirement.

Although a high-frequency solution made by MobyDick is likely to have a greater initial outlay than a modular system, depending on the exact requirements of the application concerned, such systems are designed to offer the best levels of price to performance over time. In other words, the upfront costs soon start to fall when you consider the ongoing use of such heavy-duty systems which can be used repeatedly without any issues, and even on a 24-hour basis, when needed.

Bespoke Solutions for Unique Applications

Of course, even the best designs for wheel wash technology will not always fit the bill. In such circumstances, it is important that cleanliness is not compromised and that throughput is maintained at commercially viable levels. That is why a bespoke wheel washing solution may be the way to go if your site and types of vehicle demand it. In this regard, MobyDick’s engineers can help, too.

Whether your site has some particular environmental consideration that means that a deep clean is required to protect the road and the public who use it or your fleet of vehicles need to be maintained to a certain standard that is not possible with off-the-shelf systems, a tailored solution can be hugely beneficial. Simply put, with a bespoke solution from MobyDick, you get the wheel washing units you need. This will often mean that you can specify the exact dimensions of the wheel wash system or, perhaps, demand a certain level of pressurisation that will be capable of handling the deepest levels of wheel soiling.

With a fully tailored system, you can even specify the type of safety railing that might be fitted or select whether or not you want additional storage tanks for either recycled or fresh water to be used. Other optional features that might come under consideration with such units include increased drive through widths to accommodate non-standard trucks or additional nozzle bars. With a bespoke wheel washer, all of these options become possibilities.

Modern Wheel Washing Technologies to Look Out For

Once you have chosen whether a high-frequency, a modular or a fully bespoke automated wheel cleaning system is right for you, it is also important to take into consideration the sorts of technologies that your unit ought to come supplied with. Some will rely on high pressurisation to remove dirt but you should bear in mind that such an approach leads to more water and energy consumption, both of which have an environmental and financial cost associated with them. Instead, you should look for a system which balances pressurisation with strong jet propulsion. This is commonly achieved by clever nozzle design and is a key differentiator between competitor systems. As you might expect, this is a feature offered in MobyDick’s wheel washing systems.

Finally, it is a good idea to look closely into any water management system that may be in place with any preferred wheel washing solution. Designed to recycle as much water as possible, it is crucial to look at features like sludge removal systems since, without them, recycled water can spray dirty water onto the vehicles they should be cleaning. Again, this is a factor that makes some systems stand out from others and a key feature of MobyDick’s systems.