All You Need To Know About Cement Tanker: An In-depth Look

Introduction: Setting the Stage for Bulk Cement Tank Trailers

Are you on the hunt for a top-notch bulk cement tanker trailer that’s easy on the wallet, straight from China? Ever found yourself wondering how to spot a trustworthy and professional cement tank trailer manufacturer there? Well, if you’re thinking about getting a new bulk cement tanker trailer, this article is just what you need.

I will walk you through a helpful guide on buying bulk cement tank trailers from China in the following lines. We’ll cover everything you should know before you make your purchase – what they’re used for, the different types available, how to check for quality, the features and benefits, and much more. By the end of this guide, you’ll clearly understand how to select the best trailer that meets your specific needs.

Part 1: The Essential Guide to Bulk Cement Tank Trailers

1.1 The Nuts and Bolts: What is a Bulk Cement Tank Trailer?

A bulk cement tank trailer, also called “dry bulk tank trailer,” “cement bulker,” or “pneumatic cement tank trailer,” is a special semi-trailer used to transport materials with a particle diameter no larger than 0.1mm. These materials include cement powder, flour, lime powder, ore powder, fly ash, chemical powder, stone powder, and some granulated alkali, among other fine-grain powders and bulk products.

The bulk cement tank trailer plays a critical role in the logistics of materials that require careful handling. Due to its efficiency and large transport capacity, it is widely used in large construction sites, cement factories, concrete plants, and warehouses. It’s truly a giant in the world of bulk logistics.

1.2 Why Bother? Importance of Bulk Cement Tank Trailers

You might be thinking, “Why not just use regular trucks for transporting these materials?” Well, bulk cement tank trailers offer numerous advantages over traditional bagged powder transportation methods. Let’s explore the key reasons why they are a better choice:

• High loading and unloading efficiency: Cement tank trailers use compressed air for unloading, which significantly simplifies the process. Unlike traditional methods that require numerous stevedores, a cement tank trailer can be unloaded quickly, improving operational efficiency.
• Large Carrying Capacity: These trailers can carry up to 100 cubic meters (120 tons) of cement in one go. This makes them particularly useful for large-scale construction projects where efficiently moving large quantities of materials is crucial.
• Saving on packaging materials: Since the cement powder doesn’t require additional packaging during transport, companies can save significantly on packaging costs, contributing to overall cost savings.
• Lower cement powder loss: Compared to bagged transportation, which has a higher risk of material loss due to damage or moisture, the cement tank trailer keeps the loss rate below 0.5%, minimizing wastage.
• Reduced environmental pollution: Bulk cement transportation reduces packaging waste and particle pollution, making it a more environmentally friendly option.

Part 2: Getting into the Gritty Details of Bulk Cement Tank Trailers

2.1 The Anatomy: Main Structures of Bulk Cement Tank Trailers

The structure of a bulk cement tank trailer can be divided into several essential parts, each playing a critical role in the overall performance and efficiency. These main structures include the tank body, power system, pipeline system, and various accessories.

1 – Tank Body

The tank body is responsible for holding and transporting the cement powder. It is typically divided into either two or three silos, depending on the design and capacity of the trailer. From a structural perspective, tank bodies are available in three main types:

• Horizontal V-type tank
• Vertical W-type tank
• Lifting-type tank

Each type of tank has advantages and disadvantages, making them suitable for different materials and applications. Let’s look at the details of each:

Horizontal V-Type Cement Powder Tank Trailer

Advantages:

• The center of gravity in a V-type cement tank trailer is lower, which makes the vehicle more stable and safe during transport, especially on uneven roads.
• This type of tank generally has a larger volume than other designs, allowing it to transport between 30 to 100 cubic meters (25 tons to 120 tons) of cement powder in a single trip.
• One of the most significant benefits is the lower powder loss during transport. The V-type design reduces powder loss to less than 0.5%, greatly minimizing damage caused by moisture.

Unloading Performance:
The horizontal V-type tank can unload materials at a vertical height of 15 meters and a horizontal distance of 5 meters. Under standard working pressure (0.2 pa), the average unloading speed is at least 1.5 tons per minute, with a residual rate of less than 0.1%.

Disadvantages:
While this design is efficient for pneumatic discharge, it is less versatile regarding the materials it can transport. It’s mainly limited to fine powder materials such as cement and fly ash. Additionally, the pneumatic discharge process may leave a small amount of material in the tank, making it slightly inefficient compared to other designs.

Vertical W-Type Cement Tank Trailer

Advantages:

Widely usage:

The vertical W-type cement tank trailer’s tank body is composed of a horizontal cylindrical body and multiple vertical cone bins, so controlling the inclination of the cone bin makes it easier to adjust the fluidized bed angle.

The general fluidized bed angle of a W-type cement tank can be controlled between 30°~60°, even reaching 90°, while the fluidized bed angle of the horizontal V-type powder tank trailer is usually within 20°.

Therefore, it can ensure that the W-type cement Tank Trailers transport more materials than the V-type powder tank trailers can’t.
For example, The W-type cement powder tank trailer can transport powders and granular materials with poor fluidization performance, such as flour, ultrafine fly ash, heavy pure alkali, feed, urea, caustic soda, silicon powder, casting sand, titanium dioxide, granite stone, etc.,

Moreover, The W-type cement powder tank trailer can also transport granular materials with weak stickiness and adsorption, such as soybeans, wheat, corn, PA66, PVC, PTA, BPA, PP, PC, coarse grain fly ash, etc.

High operational efficiency: Fast loading and unloading efficiency, without multiple processes such as packing, transporting, stacking, loading, unloading, and unpacking, saves labor costs and improves operational efficiency.

Ultra-low residual rate: The vertical W-type powder tank unloads quickly, and the residual rate of unloading is extremely low, almost reaching zero residuals, with a single cone residual volume not exceeding 10 kg.

Disadvantages:
Due to its complex design and manufacturing process, the W-type tank has a higher price tag. Its center of gravity is also slightly higher than that of the V-type tank, which can make it less stable during transport. Additionally, the unloading time is slightly longer than that of other types of tanks.

Lifting-Type Cement Tank Trailer

Advantages:

• The lifting-type tank trailer is highly versatile, transporting various materials, including powders, granular substances, and block materials.
• This type of trailer can use both pneumatic unloading and gravity tilting unloading, offering extreme flexibility.
• The material residue is extremely low, making it highly efficient in unloading operations.

Disadvantages:

• The tank body in lifting-type trailers is generally thicker, increasing the vehicle’s overall weight and fuel consumption.
• This trailer is also more expensive, and specific conditions are required for unloading. For instance, the road surface must be even and stable to prevent accidents during unloading.

2.2 Air Chamber and Fluidized Bed of Cement Tank Trailers

Inside the tank body, there is an air chamber and a fluidized bed. These components fluidize the material loaded in the sealed tank using compressed air. The air chamber is typically located at the head of the internal tank body or the junction between the front and rear compartments of horizontal double-chamber powder tank trailers. The fluidized bed is positioned at the bottom of the tank.

Fluidized Bed Device

Most cement tank trailers use 8 to 12 air-permeable belts as fluidization devices. HIPO’s design includes 12 air-permeable belts, which improve unloading efficiency compared to other designs with fewer belts. Furthermore, the HIPO trailers feature a tilt angle 2-3 degrees greater than other tanks in the industry, ensuring faster unloading times. The fastest unloading speed can reach 1.5 to 1.6 tons per minute.

Enhanced Discharge Port

HIPO’s bulk cement tank trailers also feature a larger discharge port, facilitating faster material unloading. The triangular support for the discharge pipe also ensures stability during unloading, preventing the pipe from being displaced and ensuring smoother operations.

3. Auxiliary Power System:

Currently, HIPO’s powder tanker power system is equipped with an independent power source diesel engine, an air compressor, and an external air source. The air compressor mainly consists of swing type and screw air compressors. Engines include Chinese Weichai engines and German Deutz engines.

The German Deutz engine is better quality than Weichai’s, but it is also more expensive, so most customers choose the cost-effective Weichai engine.

Some customers can also choose to use the truck’s power (i.e., power taken from the tractor truck by the PTO). Since the tractor-driven power system uses the engine power of the semi-trailer tractor, it eliminates the need for a diesel engine or an electric motor, thus having an advantage in terms of weight and cost.

The air compressor options include Bohai swing air compressors and screw air compressors. The swing air compressor is affordable and offers high air output, making it the preferred choice for most powder tank trucks.

The screw air compressor has advantages such as lightweight, high output, long continuous working time, and long service life. Notable models include Green Zhongfu’s XK18, Ingersoll Rand’s CHH RAND CS90, and domestic Lian Hansheng’s screw air compressor driven by the truck’s engine.

However, due to the screw air compressor price being higher than swing air compressors, most customers choose the more cost-effective swing air compressors.

4. Pipeline System

Intake Pipeline:
The engine drives air compresor, the air is output from the air compressor, it enters each silo through the check valve and ball valve.

A safety valve is installed before and after the check valve to prevent accidental damage to the air compressor due to overpressure in the pipeline. The safety valve is set to 0.2Mpa.

The secondary assist blowpipe is connected to the discharge pipe and assists in blowing powder material during unloading. It consists of a ball valve, rubber hose, and assist blow valve. The assist blow valve can prevent powder from entering the pipeline.

An external air source can be provided for users who do not use the vehicle’s air compressor and engine.

A relief valve is installed at the top of the tank to release residual pressure in the tank. It is used to release air before the user opens manhole covers and during unloading.

Discharge Pipeline:
The discharge pipeline mainly consists of a suction port, butterfly valve, discharge steel pipe, discharge pipe connector, and discharge rubber hose.

The discharge rubber hose is a wear-resistant steel wire discharge rubber hose with a diameter of 100mm.

The butterfly valve is sealed by a rubber sealing ring. After the rubber ring is worn out, it can be replaced, and the entire butterfly valve does not need to be replaced, reducing the use cost.

A shock-resistant pressure gauge is installed on the tank to monitor changes in tank pressure and guide unloading.

Below is the HIPO Cement Tank’s Piping System

The intake pipe is equipped with double safety valves.
Pressure relief sensitivity and timeliness are improved by 50% compared to a single safety valve. Even if one safety valve fails, another one will continue to work.
Meanwhile, the maximum pressure relief and limit will also be raised to prevent tank inflation or dust explosion, ensuring the safety of unloading.

The intake pipe bend adopts a non-welded one-step molding process.
Compared with the traditional welding process, one-time molding doesn’t require secondary reinforcement and increases the strength of the intake pipe.
Moreover, no welds are at the bending part, ensuring air tightness.

HIPO adopts super-thick pressure-resistant rubber hoses on the pipe connection part.
Stainless steel clamps are equipped on both ends of the rubber hose, ensuring strong locking torque and reliable fixation.

The external air source port adopts a user-friendly design with a natural inclination for connecting piping quickly and easily.

The discharge pipeline adopts large-radius and large-diameter pipes, which can improve the speed of powder materials passing through the pipeline, ensuring no clogging or blocking of the pipe and further improving the unloading efficiency by 10%.

5. Ancillary devices

These include side protection, rear protection, wheel covers, ladders, etc.

Part 3: Choosing the Right Trailer: Factors to Consider

Are you looking for a long-lasting cement tanker trailer from China? This article will help. Although there are many dry bulk cement tanker trailer suppliers in China, their quality varies. Some suppliers sell low-quality trailers with gimmicks, and some offer unnecessary configurations.

I believe you would agree that the right trailer can save you time and money and cause a lot of headaches, profit loss, downtime, reputation damage, etc. This chapter will assist you in choosing the right, durable cement tanker trailer from China. Let’s begin.

3.1 How to Select the Best Model for Your Needs

When choosing a bulk cement tanker trailer from China, it’s essential to consider various factors to ensure the model fits your needs. Here’s a breakdown of what to look for:

1. Know What Types of Medium You Want to Transport

There are several types of pneumatic cement tank trailers available in the Chinese market, each designed for specific transportation needs. Based on the shape of the tanker, they can be classified into:

• V-shaped cement tank trailer
• W-shaped cement tank trailer
• B Double pneumatic tanker trailer
• Tipper bulk cement trailer

In terms of material, the trailer can be constructed from:

• Carbon Steel
• Aluminum Alloy
• Stainless Steel

If you only need to transport cement powder, the cost-effective V-shaped cement tank trailer is your best option. However, the W-shaped pneumatic tank trailer is a better choice if you need a more versatile trailer capable of transporting materials like lime, fly ash, or plastic particles.

2. Payload Capacity

Another critical factor is the payload capacity of your bulk cement tank trailer. HIPO can design and produce bulk cement dry powder tankers with capacities ranging from 25 cubic meters to 100 cubic meters and 25 tons to 120 tons. Let us know your transportation requirements, and we’ll help you choose the most suitable cement tank trailer for your business.

3. Find the Right Balance Between Price and Quality

In China, cement tank trailer prices vary significantly, and so does the quality. While high-quality trailers tend to cost more upfront, they are more durable, made with premium materials, and require less maintenance. Opting for a cheaper trailer could result in continuous problems and hidden expenses, so comparing prices and quality from different suppliers is better before deciding.

4. Compliance with Local Regulations

Ensuring that the cement tanker trailer you choose complies with your local laws regarding height, weight, and axle limits is essential. Inform your supplier of your country’s regulations so they can provide you with a trailer that meets all necessary standards.

5. Warranty and Customer Support

Always choose a trailer from a reputable manufacturer with a comprehensive warranty and reliable customer support. This will give you peace of mind and ensure you can address any issues arising after your purchase.

3.2 Selecting the Best Configurations for Your Tanker

Choosing the right configurations for your bulk cement tanker trailer is crucial for optimal performance and safety. Some suppliers may offer simple specifications to reduce the price, while others may offer extra options you don’t need. When making your choice, consider the following:

1. Tank Body Material and Thickness

Common materials for tank bodies in China include Q235 carbon steel, 520JJ high-strength wear-resistant steel, Q304 stainless steel, and 5182/5083 aluminum alloy. The thickness of the material depends on factors like the medium being transported, payload capacity, and road conditions. For example, the standard thickness for African markets, where road conditions may be poor, is usually 5mm to 6mm.

2. Weld Quality

What causes powder leaks? Often, they result from a cement tanker truck colliding with another vehicle. However, poor welding quality can also cause leaks.

HIPO adopts advanced seamless, high-efficiency robotic welding technology to enhance strength, rigidity, and pressure resistance, preventing tank deformation and leaks at weld seams. Want to confirm a manufacturer’s welding quality without visiting China? Contact us now for an effective solution.

3. Quality Components and Parts

It’s no surprise that well-known brand components offer better durability and lower maintenance costs. However, famous brand components often cost more, increasing the trailer price. If a supplier offers a low-priced trailer with well-known components, be cautious! It may have cheap, refurbished, or fake parts.

A bulk cement tank trailer with a below-market value may save money upfront but could lead to ongoing issues and high maintenance costs in the future.

4. Learn About the Painting Process

There are two common painting processes in China. The first is Powder Spraying Painting (KTL coating technology) for the entire trailer, which ensures rust and corrosion protection and a long-lasting, consistent finish. The second uses polyurethane paint spray, which guarantees a paint coat lifespan of 3-4 years.

KTL technology and Powder Spraying are more advanced, with a 7-10-year lifespan, but the cost is a bit higher than the polyurethane process. Of course, there is still a poor painting process; they employ normal workers and buy cheap paint for the tank trailer, which can only be used for 12 years, and then you have to re-spray the paint again, increasing your maintenance costs.

3.3 Select a reliable cement tanker manufacturer

There are several famous cement tank trailer manufacturers in China. Such as CIMC cement tank trailer and HIPO cement tanker trailer. These manufacturers offer a wide range of high-quality cement bulkers, each with its own unique features and specifications. Collaborating with dependable manufacturers helps you differentiate between cement tank semi-trailer types and features, ensuring you choose the best trailer for your needs. To find a reputable manufacturer in China, follow these steps:

Explore websites: Visit the manufacturers’ websites, read their customer cases and reviews, watch their product videos, and even request recommendations from their peers.

Request references: Ask your suppliers whether they have cooperated with your local companies before. If they have worked with your local peers, this can tell whether this supplier’s cement tank trailer can meet your local transportation needs.

Factory visits: If you have time, you can try to visit your potential suppliers to check the quality of their products in person, visit their production workshop, and observe their manufacturing process. This would be a good time to negotiate with your suppliers face-to-face to get a better price and delivery time.

Quality control: Almost all China suppliers say that their cement tank trailers will be tested before delivering to customers. However, not all of them have corresponding testing equipment, such as a large-scale X-ray flaw detection room, water test, and pressure test, to test the products. Therefore, you should check whether your suppliers have these inspection and test equipment to control their trailers’ quality.

Certifications: A reputable cement tank trailer manufacturer should have all the necessary certifications required by the industry. The Certification boards or quality inspection the third party issues a certificate to a manufacturer. The common certification the manufacturer should have includes SGS, BV, ISO, or other relevant certifications.

Part 4: Operating and Maintaining Bulk Cement Tanker Trailers

4.1 How to Operate a Bulk Cement Tank Trailer

Operating a bulk cement tank trailer can be a daunting task for the uninitiated. However, with the right knowledge and some practice, you can master it like a pro. Let’s break down the process and simplify it for you.

Step 1: Before unloading, the manhole cover should be inspected to ensure that it is securely closed and intact. The pressure relief valve, blow-off valve, and discharge valve should also be confirmed to be closed, and the discharge piping connection should be solid without looseness. Ensure that the safety valve and pressure gauge are in good condition.

Step 2: Open all the air inlet valves, then start the diesel engine or power take-off, slowly increase the throttle, and observe the tachometer display, until the air compressor speed reaches its rated speed.

Step 3: During pressurization, closely monitor the pressure indication on the pressure gauge. When the pressure rises to 0.18 MPa, open the secondary auxiliary blow ball valve to blow the pipeline lightly, then open the discharge butterfly valve to start unloading;

Step 4: When the pressure drops to 0.15 MPa, close the air inlet and discharge valves for the front or rear compartment, switch compartments for air chamber unloading, if necessary, switch two to three times, and finish clearing the compartments.

Step 5: When the pressure drops to 0.05-0.08 MPa, stop the diesel engine or power take-off, open the pressure relief valve, and the unloading is complete.

In addition, to ensure the safety of personnel and the use of equipment, the following points should be noted:
1. During unloading, someone must be on duty to monitor the smooth flow of the discharge pipeline and the pressure changes in the tank. In case of pipe blockage or abnormal pressure increase, or in case of emergency such as valve, tank cover, or tank body leakage, the diesel engine or power take-off should be urgently stopped.
2. To ensure the safety of operators and those around them, do not perform any operations on the tank manhole cover while there is pressure in the tank;
3. To effectively confirm whether there is pressure in the tank, before opening the tank cover, be sure to open the pressure relief valve first and confirm that there is no air pressure in the tank before starting the tank manhole cover operation. The tank cover safety buckle is a safety insurance, so it must be opened last;
4. To ensure the bulk cement tank trailer’s service life and stability, please do not depressurize from the external air source valve. A sudden pressure drop can deform the air chamber, leading to cracks and ash ingress.

4.2 Maintaining the Beast: Maintenance Tips for Bulk Cement Tank Trailers

Proper maintenance of bulk cement tank trailers is crucial for their longevity and performance. Regular checks and timely repairs can prevent unwanted downtime and costly replacements. So, roll up your sleeves and let’s dive into some handy maintenance tips.

1. Regular Engine Oil Checks: Operators should not only check the oil level and top it up as needed but also check the quality of the oil and replace it when it starts to deteriorate. If not, the engine’s moving parts operate without sufficient lubrication, causing wear and tear soon. Besides, engine oil can easily become contaminated, and its protective capabilities may diminish over time.
2. Cleaning the Oil Passage: The diesel engine operation can introduce various impurities (like soot, carbon deposits, and unburned fuel residues) into the engine oil. Therefore, the operators not just top up the oil but also replace it regularly to avoid potential problems like tile burning and shaft seizures. Even after changing the oil, ensure a thorough cleaning of the oil passage to avoid leaving any mechanical impurities in the oil pan and oil passage.
3. Avoid Butter on Cylinder Head Gasket: Some operators might apply butter to the cylinder head gasket during installation, thinking it enhances the seal. But actually, this can do more harm than good. The gasket is a vital seal between the cylinder block and the head. Applying butter to it can cause part of the butter to squeeze into the cylinder’s water channel and oil passage, leading to premature aging and deterioration of the cylinder pad. So, refrain from applying butter when installing the cylinder head gasket.
4. Do not Apply Grease on Tire Nuts: Though greasing tire nuts might seem like a good idea for easy tightening and corrosion prevention, it actually reduces the bolted connection’s self-locking performance. This reduction in friction could lead to loosened nuts and potential accidents. Therefore, grease or oil should not be applied to the bolts and nuts of bulk powder tanker tire nuts.
5. Routine Check of Air Compressor: The air compressor is an important component of the cement bulk trailer and is responsible for generating the pressure needed to load and unload the cement. Regularly inspect the air compressor for any signs of damage or unusual noise. Ensure it’s always clean and free from dust or debris that could hinder its performance. Additionally, be cautious while starting or stopping the air compressor; rapid changes can damage the equipment. Always increase or decrease its speed gradually.
6. Tank body: Regularly check whether there is air leakage in the weld seam of the tank body. If open welding is found, repair welding should be carried out in time. In the rainy season, pay close attention to the state of the tank manhole cover and sealing rubber ring to avoid the gaps in the tank cover causing rainwater to flow into the tank body, which will cause cement agglomeration and affect the bulk cement discharging efficiency.
7. Tank air chamber: check the air chamber canvas regularly, if it is damp, airtight, or damaged, it should be replaced in time; check whether the air chamber bead is compacted, if there is any air leakage, it will affect the unloading speed and should be eliminated in time

Conclusion

So, there you have it – we’ve covered a lot of ground with bulk cement trailers. It’s been quite a deep dive, from the basics of their construction to the important features, choosing the best one, and maintenance tips.
You’re way ahead of the game with all this info in your toolkit. You’re all set to make an informed decision about buying and using a cement tank trailer. Knowledge is power, right? I hope this guide has given you a clearer picture of what to look for and expect in the bulk cement tank trailers world.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bulk Cement Tanker Trailers

Frequently Asked Questions About Bulk Cement Tank Trailers

How big are these trailers?

The size of bulk cement tank trailers can vary greatly, but most models can carry 25 to 120 tons of material.

How often do I need to maintain my trailer?

It’s recommended that the trailer be given a thorough check-up every six months, although this may vary depending on usage.

What kind of problems usually pop up with these trailers?

Operators often face issues such as mechanical problems, regulatory compliance challenges, and difficulty loading and unloading cement safely.

How long will my trailer last?

HIPO bulk cement tank trailers can serve you well for over ten years with proper care and handling.

What should I keep in mind for safety?

To ensure safe operations, always conduct regular equipment checks, follow the correct procedures for loading and unloading, and adhere to all safety regulations.

Are there special rules for driving these trailers?

Yes, there are various regulations depending on where you are, and they typically cover issues like weight and axle load limits.

How often should I inspect my trailer?

Regular inspections are a must, and a good rule of thumb is to do a thorough inspection every six months. However, this can vary based on usage, local laws, and the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Why might I choose an aluminum trailer over a steel one?

Aluminum trailers offer several benefits, including being lighter, more resistant to rust, and more fuel-efficient, which can reduce operating costs.

Can I get a trailer made just for my needs?

Absolutely! Bulk cement tank trailers can be customized with various options, including discharge systems, sizes, axle numbers, dimensions, and safety features to meet your specific needs.