How to Safely Operate China Bulk Cement Tanker Trailer Manual Guide

Many foreign friends buy cement tank trailers from China. However, they don’t know how to operate them safely. Some Chinese cement tank trailer manufacturers don’t provide an operation manual for customers. To help our foreign friends solve this issue, I’ll share an operation guide for using a Chinese cement tank trailer properly. Let’s get started!

Preparation Before Using the Tank

• a. Before using a new cement tank trailer, ensure that any contaminants and dirt inside are thoroughly cleaned.
• b. Remove impurities and waste from the tank through the manhole cover or the discharge outlet.
• c. Before opening the manhole cover, ensure there’s no pressure inside the tank.
• d. Check if the loading and unloading valves are opened or closed as per the guidelines.

Loading Procedure

1. Ensure that the power engine and the air compressor are off, and all discharge valves are closed. Open the relief valve to release any compressed air inside the tank.
2. After ensuring no pressure in the tank, unscrew the manhole cover handle. Once it’s loose, unlatch the safety hook and open the loading manhole.
3. After all loading points are filled, clean any spilled material from the surface of the manhole cover and its sealing ring. Then, tighten the manhole cover, secure the safety hook, and close the relief valve. The loading is complete.

Unloading Procedure for Single-Compartment Cement Tank Trailer

1. Connect the unloading hose quick coupler to the silo’s conveyor pipe, and tighten screws on both sides to ensure a sturdy connection.
2. Check and tighten the manhole cover, open all intake valves, and close other valves (e.g., discharge valve, exhaust valve, secondary blow valve).
3. Start the power system (diesel engine, electric motor, or power take-off), driving the air compressor to its rated speed (950-1000r/min).
4. Monitor the pressure gauge. When the pressure reaches 0.2 MPa, first open the secondary blow valve to clear the pipeline, then open the discharge butterfly valve to start unloading.
5. Once the pressure drops to 0.05 MPa, turn off the power system, open the relief valve, and finish unloading.
6. In special cases where some material remains, refill the air to 0.16 MPa and follow the steps to clear the tank separately.

Unloading Procedure for Double-Compartment Cement Tank Trailer

1. Connect the unloading hose’s quick coupling to the conveyor pipe connector on the storage tower (compartment) and tighten the screws on both sides to ensure a secure connection.
2. Inspect and tighten the manhole cover, open all the intake valves and close other valves (such as the unloading valve, exhaust valve, secondary blow valve).
3. Activate the power system (diesel engine, electric motor, or main vehicle power take-off), driving the air compressor to reach its maximum speed of 950-1000r/min.
4. Monitor the pressure gauge. When the pressure rises to 0.2 MPa, first open the secondary blow valve to clear the pipeline, then open the front compartment’s unloading butterfly valve, close the rear intake valve, and start unloading from the front compartment.
5. When the pressure drops to 0.1 MPa, close the front compartment’s butterfly valve, continue to inflate, and once the pressure reaches 0.16 MPa, open the rear intake valve and unloading butterfly valve, close the front intake valve, and start unloading from the rear compartment.
6. At a pressure drop to 0.1 MPa, open the front intake valve and butterfly valve, close the rear intake valve and butterfly valve, and clear the front compartment.
7. Once the pressure drops to 0.1 MPa again, open the rear intake valve and butterfly valve, close the front intake valve and butterfly valve, and clear the rear compartment.
8. When the pressure reduces to 0.05 MPa, turn off the power system, open the pressure relief valve, and complete the dust removal process.
9. In special circumstances, if any material remains, inflate again to 0.16 MPa following the above steps and clear both compartments separately.

Unloading Procedure for Three-Compartment Cement Tank Trailer

1. Connect the unloading hose’s quick coupling to the conveyor pipe connector on the storage tower (compartment) and secure both sides with tightened screws.
2. Inspect and fasten the manhole cover, open all intake valves, and close other valves (such as the unloading valve, exhaust valve, and secondary blow valve).
3. Start the power system (diesel engine, electric motor, or vehicle’s power take-off), which powers the air compressor, ensuring it reaches its rated speed of 950-1000r/min.
4. Keep an eye on the pressure gauge. As the pressure hits 0.2 MPa, initially open the secondary blow valve to clean the pipes, then open the front compartment’s butterfly valve, close the intake valves for the middle and rear compartments, and begin front compartment unloading.
5. Once the pressure descends to 0.1 MPa, close the butterfly valve for the front compartment and continue inflation, and when the pressure attains 0.16 MPa, open the intake and butterfly valves for the middle compartment, close those for the front and rear compartments and unload the middle compartment.
6. As the pressure falls to 0.1 MPa, close the butterfly valve for the middle compartment, persist with inflation, and when the pressure reaches 0.16 MPa, open the intake and butterfly valves for the rear compartment, sealing off those for the front and middle compartments, and commence rear compartment unloading.
7. At a drop in pressure to 0.1 MPa, open the intake and butterfly valves for the front compartment, close those for the middle and rear compartments, and clear out the front compartment. Continue in this manner for the middle and rear compartments.
8. Once the pressure is down to 0.05 MPa, deactivate the power system, engage the pressure release valve, and conclude the dusting process.

Other Operational Notes

For trailers with dual air chamber structures (models with an intake pipe both at the bottom and side of the header), close the side intake valve approximately 15 minutes before finishing unloading. This ensures compressed air is channeled through the bottom chamber, reducing residual material and speeding up unloading.

Conclusion

The steps above guide you through the primary procedures for operating a Chinese cement tank trailer. Even if you didn’t purchase your trailer from our company, the above operation guide can help you, as most Chinese cement tank trailers operate similarly. If you’d like to learn more about operating a cement tank trailer, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re eager to share more knowledge and experience about using these vehicles.