Knowledge

How to size a wheel wash

The right wheel wash depends on five things: how many vehicles leave the site, what ground they drive on, how much space there is at the entrance, whether power and water are available, and how long the site will run.

1. Daily traffic

Count the vehicles leaving the site on a peak day, not an average day. Throughput is limited by water volume more than by the machine, so higher traffic needs a larger tank or a connection to a lagoon or concrete tank. As a guide, a SiteWash 2 handles up to 60 trucks a day, a SiteWash 4 up to 150 truck movements a day and a SiteWash 6 up to 350.

2. Ground conditions

Sand and gravel release easily. Soil, silt and clay stick to tires and need more water per vehicle and more time under the nozzles. On heavy ground, choose a longer wash passage and plan for a larger tank, with the pump and nozzles configured to suit.

3. Space at the entrance

A standard drive-through system places the wash bay beside its recycling tank. Where the entrance is tight, the SiteWash Flexi mounts the wash deck on the tank, needing one excavation and a smaller footprint. Allow a straight approach and exit so vehicles cross the deck in line.

4. Power and water

Spray systems need a three phase supply (480 V 60 Hz in North America, 400 V 50 Hz in Europe) and a water connection for the first fill and top-up. Where neither is available, a wheel bath works without a power or water connection.

5. Duration and groundworks

For short projects, rental avoids capital cost. For long projects or a series of sites, a purchased system that can be dismantled and moved is usually better value. Decide early between an inset system, which needs excavation, and a surface mounted system with ramps.

Quick reference

Every SiteWash system is sized from a site assessment. Tell us about your site and we will recommend a configuration.