An increasing problem on the California roads and highways is dirt and mud--track-out—left behind by the wheels of trucks leaving construction sites, landfills and quarries. As counties and cities in the United States put together legislation regulating the amount of track-out allowed, it has become apparent that companies need to use preventative measures to keep the dirt off the roadways. Los Angeles, New York City and Phoenix are examples of cities that have adopted or are in the process of adopting rules that require wheels and tires be washed at certain application sites to more effectively manage track-out from these sites to public roads and highways. In California, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has passed rule 1157 that will mandate the use of rumple grates and wheel/tire washes.

One of the concerns, specifically in California is the dust that’s created by the dirt and mud as it dries. Fine particulate, PM10 and fine respirable particulate, PM2.5, are considered high health hazards in urban areas. Dust negatively affects the air quality, and it becomes a problem during the rainy season when it produces muddy run-off. Local governments in highly regulated locales in urbanized areas of California, Arizona, NY and NJ are forces to comply with fine particulate and Clean Water Act Phase II standards or face the loss of federal highways funds and perhaps fines from State Departments of Environmental Protection.

The general growth of commercial and residential communities means that businesses and houses are closer to quarries and other sites that were, at one time, in the middle of nowhere. As residential and commercial traffic increases near these sites, people expect clean roads, not those covered with dirt and mud.

Enter the MobyDick Wheelwashing System, a system created and manufactured by Frutiger of Switzerland for more than 20 years. The system has been used throughout Europe, where they have been enforcing regulations for track-out longer than in the United States.

The wheel washing system is designed to remove the dirt from truck tire treads by flushing wheels with a high volume of water under low pressure prior to them leaving a muddy or dirty site. The Low Pressure inundation design of MobyDick Wheelwashing systems focuses its high water flow on the vehicles tires, wheels and undercarriage and does not spray water on the vehicle’s windshield. MobyDick systems always incorporate a closed-loop solid separation and water-recycling system to insure the majority of the water used for washing is being recycled. MobyDick wheelwashing specialists offer advice on sedimentation tank design to optimize the sedimentation process to quickly settle the dirt out of the water. The end result is water spraying on the tires that looks clean to the eye.

Tri-West Tractor, located in Livermore, California near San Francisco, is the designated distributor for the MobyDick Wheelwashing System in all of California, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Arizona.

(Picture 1, 2 & 3) The low pressure inundation design of Moby Dick Wheel Wahing Sustems focuses it’s high water flow on the vehicles tires, wheels and undercarriage. (Picture 4) A Customized sedimentation tank designed to optimize the sedimentation process to quickly settle the dirt out of the water.

According to Mike Whitney, Salesman for Tri-West Tractor and MobyDick Wheelwashing System Specialist, the system “was designed for one thing and one thing only—to keep mud off the public roadways.

“MobyDick has a system for every purpose,” Mike continues.

“We go to each individual site and design a custom system for the client,” he says, “ which includes helping them design the sediment bed and brainstorming what elements fit where, and even determining how much water spray they’ll need to clean their truck wheels.

“The MobyDick Wheelwashing System is simple, with very low maintenance,” Mike explains. “Our goal is to solve a problem for the customer with a system that is very reliable and user friendly.”

According to the Frutiger website, the MobyDick model pallet is built on eight base models. The range of design variations, combined with additional options, allows Frutiger’s distributors to meet individual customer needs.

One of the company’s larger models is the Quick 939; a drive-through unit that can handle extreme traffic volume with heavily soiled trucks. As the truck drives into the unit, it triggers sensors that activate the water pumps, which are on a timer. As the truck is driven slowly through the system, the dirt and sediment is washed off.

Among the many units Frutiger manufactures is the MobyDick Mobile unit, which is becoming more popular at short-term job sites, or temporary sites like downtown construction sites where digging in a settlement pit is restricted. With the Mobile unit, everything is above ground, including the water-settlement tank. These units can be taken virtually anywhere and can be put into service in one day.

Frutiger also custom builds units that will handle off- highway vehicles such as wheel loaders and rigid or articulated dump trucks.

Tri-West has placed units with small locally owned companies throughout the West and some of the largest aggregate and waste companies in the United States.  These include Hanson Aggregates, Vulcan Materials, Old Castle Materials, Waste Management, Allied Waste Industries and Waste Connections. Another client, Wal-Mart, requires a wheel washing system at most of their new store construction sites throughout the country, Mike says.

The traditional costs of dealing with track-out with a couple of laborers, a water truck and a sweeper are significant. Fines for track-out can also be costly. By the time daily expenses are added up, coupled with an occasional fine, the cost of installing a MobyDick Wheelwashing System is very reasonable. Mike says that the units can last up to 20 years if properly maintained.

Please contact Tri-West Tractor at (925) 455-8200 or look them up online at www.tri-westtractor.com Cc