A gully sucker, commonly referred to as a gully emptier or a vacuum tanker, is a type of truck equipped with a powerful vacuum and a water tank. It is designed to clean out and remove silt, debris, and liquids from drainage systems, sewer lines, gullies (street drains), and culverts. These vehicles are crucial for maintaining municipal and industrial drainage systems, helping to prevent flooding and blockages by ensuring that drains are clear of obstructions. The vacuum system on the gully wagon sucks up the waste materials, which are then stored in the tanker for proper disposal or treatment.

The cost of hiring a gully tanker can vary widely depending on several factors such as location, duration of the hire, and the specific services required. Generally, here are some common considerations:

1. Service Type: Whether you need a one-time service for an emergency situation or a regular maintenance schedule can affect the cost. Regular contracts might offer better rates compared to one-off emergency services.

2. Duration: The length of time you need the tanker for will also impact the price. Longer periods may attract discounts.

For specific pricing, it's best to contact us at info@jmclarkltd.co.uk for a detailed quote based on your specific needs.

Health and safety are paramount when operating the gully wagon due to the potential risks involved with handling waste and operating heavy machinery. Here are several key health and safety methods and risk assessments that we carry out:

1. Risk Assessment: Before starting any operations, a comprehensive risk assessment is conducted to identify potential hazards associated with the job. This includes evaluating risks from manual handling, exposure to harmful substances, traffic and machinery operations, and the potential for slips, trips, and falls.

2. Safety Training: Operators receive thorough training on the safe operation of gully sucker vehicles, emergency procedures, and adherence to traffic regulations. Training also covers how to safely handle the waste materials that are collected.

3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Workers are equipped with suitable PPE such as steel-capped boots, goggles, hard hats, and high-visibility clothing.

4. Vehicle Maintenance and Checks: Regular maintenance and pre-operation checks are performed on the gully sucker vehicles to ensure they are in good working condition. This reduces the risk of mechanical failures that could lead to accidents or spills.

Effective traffic management is sometimes essential for gully cleaning operations, especially in or near busy roads or in urban areas. The goal is to ensure the safety of the workers and the public while minimising disruption to traffic flow. Here are key elements that may need to be in place for traffic management during gully cleaning operations:

• Signage
• Cones and Barriers
• Diversions (if necessary)
• Communication with local authorities (if necessary)

For confirmation it’s best to contact our team at info@jmclarkltd.co.uk for more information regarding traffic management required.

The main difference between using a gully sucker and jet cleaning for drains lies in their methods and purposes for cleaning drainage systems.

A gully sucker primarily uses a powerful vacuum to remove debris, silt, and standing water from gullies, storm drains, and culverts. Jet washing drains involves using high-pressure water jets to clean and clear blockages in pipes and drainage systems.

Both methods are crucial for maintaining an efficient and functional drainage system, but they serve different purposes and are used under different circumstances depending on the specific needs of the drainage system.

Regular gully maintenance is crucial for several reasons, each contributing to the overall effectiveness and efficiency of a drainage system, as well as broader environmental and community health. These reasons include: 

Flood prevention: One of the most critical uses of gully cleaning is to prevent flooding by ensuring that storm drains and gullies are clear of debris, silt, and waste that can block water flow during heavy rainfall.

Road Maintenance: Regular gully sucking is vital for maintaining roads, preventing water accumulation that can lead to potholes, road surface breakdown, and unsafe driving conditions.

Environmental Protection: By removing potentially harmful materials from drainage systems, gully sucking helps protect the environment by preventing pollutants from entering waterways and reducing the risk of water contamination.

Urban Infrastructure Management: It’s important to keep infrastructure in good condition, managing stormwater effectively, protecting buildings and public spaces.

Construction Sites: Gully cleaning is used to manage runoff and prevent sediment and debris from construction activities from blocking nearby drains and causing environmental or infrastructural issues.

Gully sucking, while crucial for maintaining effective drainage systems, poses several challenges that can complicate the cleaning process. This includes:

1. Access Issues: Many gullies are located in areas that are difficult to access due to their proximity to busy roads, narrow streets, or obstacles like parked cars and urban infrastructure. This can make it challenging to position the gully sucker vehicles close enough to perform effective cleaning.

2. Debris Accumulation: Gullies often accumulate a wide range of debris, including leaves, trash, silt, and other materials that can be difficult to remove. Heavy or compacted debris can clog the suction mechanisms of the equipment, requiring additional time and effort to clear. This is why regular maintenance is important.

3. Weather Conditions: Adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain or freezing temperatures, can significantly hinder gully sucking operations. Rain can lead to overflow and additional debris, while cold weather can freeze the water and debris in the gullies, making them impossible to clean until temperatures rise.

4. Environmental Concerns: Proper disposal of the waste collected from gullies is a major concern, as it often contains pollutants and hazardous materials. At JM Clark we comply with environmental regulations regarding waste disposal.

Using the gully sucker attachment, waste is sucked into the back (hopper) of the gully emptier. From there it can either be disposed on site which is free or taken away which incurs a cost, contact us for more details.