Major Components

Latimat Containment Mat

The containment mat (19 feet wide by 33 feet long, figure 2) is made of a tough, durable, chemically resistant material. Foam inserts are placed into slots on the underside of the containment mat, creating a lip on all sides. Two different types of foam inserts are used. The cylindrical blue inserts are used on the sides. The square foam inserts wrapped in plastic are used for the ends. Use the square foam in the ends because the round blue inserts will quickly deteriorate if they are used there.

[photo] Shows the raised sides of the containment mat that holds the used water until it is filtered for reuse.
Figure 2—The containment mat's raised sides hold used water until it can be
pumped from the mat and filtered for reuse.

A felt underlayment protects the containment mat from sharp objects that could poke holes through it. Use the felt underlayment at all times. Before washing tracked vehicles, place ¼- or ½-inch conveyor belting on the mat to protect it from the tracks.

If the mat is punctured, it can be repaired. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for more details.

Hydra-Cell Pump

The Hydra-Cell pump is a high-volume (20 gallons per minute), high-pressure (800 pounds per square inch) pump (figure 3). A couple of features have been installed to prevent premature wear. First, a strainer has been installed on the inlet hose from the main holding tank to keep large particulate from entering the pump. Second, a vacuum switch has been installed to prevent the pump from being run without water. The vacuum switch, which is wired to the Kohler engine, will stop the engine if the pump runs out of water. Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule for the pump.

Figure 3—A Hydra-Cell pump, powered by a Kohler 25-horsepower engine,
can pump 20 gallons of water a minute at a pressure of 800 pounds per square inch.

Kohler Engine

A 25-horsepower, electric-start engine (figure 3) powers the pump. Refer to the Kohler operator’s manual for more information. An external gas tank on the opposite side of the trailer from the engine supplies the gasoline. Belts that drive the pump can be purchased from a local parts store or from Grainger (part No. 6L279G, BX64, call 1–888–361–8649 or visit http://www.grainger.com). A 12-volt battery powers the electric starter.

Dayton Generator

A 5,000-watt Dayton generator (figure 4) powers the washer’s two sump pumps. The generator also has enough power for lights or other electrical appliances. Refer to the generator operator’s manual for maintenance and grounding requirements.

Figure 4—A Dayton generator powers the two sump pumps and could power other electrical appliances.

Filter Assemblies

Two filter assemblies (figure 5) remove particulate from the water. Filters for different sizes of particulate are available from Grainger. The filter size to be used depends on the size of the particulate that you wish to filter. The filters should be graduated so the first filter removes larger particulate (100 microns, for instance) than the second filter (50 microns, for instance). Pressure gauges on the top of each housing show the approximate internal pressure. When the pressure reaches 15 to 20 pounds per square inch, the filters are clogged.

[photo] Display of the two filter assemblies with the sump pump hose connection identified.
Figure 5—Two filter assemblies remove particulate from the wash water before the water
flows back into the main holding tank for reuse.

Sump Pumps

The vehicle washer has two sump pumps. A switched outlet on the trailer supplies power to the sump pumps.

A sump pump in the overflow tank (figure 6) forces water through the two filter assemblies and into the main holding tank. A float switch controls the operation of this sump pump.

[photo] Diplay of the sump pump in the overflow tank.
Figure 6—The sump pump in the overflow tank forces water through the two filter
assemblies and into the main holding tank.

The other sump pump is placed on the containment mat (figure 2). It pumps water from the mat to the settling tanks. This pump should be at the lowest point on the containment mat, but close to the trailer so vehicles do not drive over the hose. In addition, a small valve has been added to the pump’s outlet to help prime it. Simply open the valve (figure 7) to start the flow of water (priming the pump). Close the valve to start the flow to the settling tanks.

[photo] Display of the sump pump for the containment mat with the priming valve identified.
Figure 7—The sump pump on the containment mat pumps water to the settling tanks.
Open the priming valve to prime the pump.

Settling Tanks

The primary settling tanks for the wash water are two 175-gallon, cone-bottom tanks (figure 1). Heavy particulate should settle in the tanks. They can be drained independently through the cam-lock fitting and drain hose.

Wash water from the containment mat sump pump enters the first settling tank about two-thirds down from the top of the tank. Overflow from the first settling tank flows to the second settling tank, also entering the tank about two-thirds down from the top. Overflow from the second settling tank flows to an overflow tank where the filter sump pump is located. A screen on the overflow tubing filters out large floating objects, such as pine needles and grass that don’t settle in the settling tanks.

Main Holding Tank

The main holding tank (figure 1) holds about 550 gallons of water. A cam-lock valve on the bottom of the tank allows it to be drained.

Wash Wands

The wash wands are the main washing tools. Each wand comes with a specialized nozzle that directs a single flow of water into a 25-degree spray pattern. The wands can be used aggressively to knock mud and other debris from vehicles, but take care that the high-pressure spray does not remove paint or otherwise damage the vehicles.

Underbody Washers

The vehicle washer has two underbody washers (figure 8) that wash the underside of the vehicles. One sprayer should be placed where vehicles enter the containment mat. The second washer should be placed at the other end of the containment mat, washing the undercarriage a second time as vehicles exit. Plastic ramps protect the hoses to the underbody washers.

[photo] Display of the black belting, plastic ramp and underbody washer.
Figure 8—The underbody washer washes the underside of vehicles. The plastic ramp protects
the hose to the sprayer. The black belting ensures that a vehicle’s weight will hold the ramp in
place when the vehicle drives over the belting and onto the ramp.