Forum Discussion

otrfun's avatar
otrfun
Explorer II
Oct 20, 2014

Different Ways to Empty a Waste Tote?

I have a waste tote that requires it to be stood-up vertically to empty (via gravity). After filling it with my macerator, this waste tote weighs 250-300 lbs. when full---just way too heavy, cumbersome, and unsafe to stand-up vertically to drain it while it's in the bed of the truck.

I rigged up two input assemblies for the generic macerator I use. One to empty the black/grey tanks using a 3" RV waste connector. A second one comprised of a hose and 18" long, 3/4" PVC pipe. Use it with the macerator to feed off the bottom of the waste tote to empty it while it's in the horizontal position.

Curious how others empty larger, heavier waste totes from the bed of their truck, especially Flojet owners who only have the 3" RV waste connector to work with.
  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    Oct 20, 2014
    I know what you're talking about. I have a 32 gal Barker Tote and extend the tow handle out all the way for more leverage then just muscle it up. Don't know of an easier way.
  • otrfun's avatar
    otrfun
    Explorer II
    Oct 20, 2014
    2oldman wrote:
    Don't fill it up all the way.
    If I wasn't able to empty the waste tote with the macerator, then yes, I would probably only do a partial fill rather than risk hurting myself. However, my current setup works pretty well. Not fond of changing out the macerator input assemblies, but it's a small price to pay to not have to lift/move the 250-300 lb. waste tote when filling and emptying it.

    The reason for my post is to see if anybody else used a different solution for emptying their waste tote with their macerator that I wasn't aware of--maybe a solution that works better than the one I'm using. Maybe I've missed it, but I haven't seen this issue addressed before.
  • Alpenliter's avatar
    Alpenliter
    Explorer
    Oct 21, 2014
    I drilled a hole in the side of my 28 gallon Barker and installed a rubber gasket and a slide valve. The macerator pump fills it up in the back of my truck, then I go to the dump site, attach the sewer hose, and pull the handle. Has worked for me for four years now.
  • otrfun's avatar
    otrfun
    Explorer II
    Oct 21, 2014
    Alpenliter wrote:
    I drilled a hole in the side of my 28 gallon Barker and installed a rubber gasket and a slide valve. The macerator pump fills it up in the back of my truck, then I go to the dump site, attach the sewer hose, and pull the handle. Has worked for me for four years now.
    I like your idea, Alpenliter. I assume you'd need a good flat surface to do that. What size valve did you use? 3"? What did you use to mount the gate valve to the tank besides the gasket?
  • Alpenliter's avatar
    Alpenliter
    Explorer
    Oct 21, 2014
    Here is the information that I used to build mine. This is from our old friend and contributor "Firedude"
  • sljkansas's avatar
    sljkansas
    Explorer
    Oct 21, 2014
    I bought the Barker 42 gallon 4 wheeled unit with tow handle, pull it behind the truck or use the macerator pump to fill it when in the bed. I have a 10 ft. sewer hose that that is use to dump the tote from the bed or on the ground. The barker wheels have been replaced with better wheels, and I 'm thinking of making a longer rear axial and replacing the rear numatic single wheels with dual wheels, should make it easier to hand pull the tank to the truck, when I have to pull it up a slight hill by hand.
  • edatlanta's avatar
    edatlanta
    Explorer
    Oct 21, 2014
    I know if you already have a Barker you wouldn't want to buy another one, but I have a Thetford SmartTote 4 wheel. It dumps from the bottom with it's own built in hose and does not require it to be picked up. This was a big feature for me with a bad back. The only problem I have had with 4+ years of use is I have replaced the tires/wheels. The original ones were plastic and after lots of trips to the dump (never over 5 mph) the wheels just gave up. A trip to Tractor Supply and Lowes solved my problem with better heavier metal wheels and now no more problem.
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Oct 21, 2014
    sljkansas wrote:
    I bought the Barker 42 gallon 4 wheeled unit with tow handle, pull it behind the truck or use the macerator pump to fill it when in the bed. I have a 10 ft. sewer hose that that is use to dump the tote from the bed or on the ground. The barker wheels have been replaced with better wheels, and I 'm thinking of making a longer rear axial and replacing the rear numatic single wheels with dual wheels, should make it easier to hand pull the tank to the truck, when I have to pull it up a slight hill by hand.


    I also have a 42 gallon barker. While I generally tow it, I have a macerator and could put tank in back of truck and drive it to the dump station. I could then dump from the back of my truck with a typical 15' stinky slinky.
  • otrfun's avatar
    otrfun
    Explorer II
    Oct 21, 2014
    Alpenliter wrote:
    Here is the information that I used to build mine. This is from our old friend and contributor "Firedude"
    Thanks for the link! This clarifies the gasket you mentioned.

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