Staying Compliant and Profitable with Loadsense
Hydrovac trucks — also known as vacuum waste trucks or “sucker trucks” — are essential in today’s utility, construction, and environmental sectors. These powerful machines use high-pressure water and vacuum technology to safely excavate around underground utilities or collect wet and dry waste materials from tanks and catch pits.
However, as the demand for hydrovac services grows, so does the scrutiny around vehicle overloading. Authorities across New Zealand, Australia, the USA, Canada, the UK, and Europe are tightening road transport compliance requirements, particularly concerning Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and axle load limits.
This is where the Loadsense onboard weighing solution becomes critical — offering hydrovac operators real-time weight visibility, legal compliance, and a smarter way to protect their fleet and reputation.
What Are Hydrovac (Sucker) Trucks and Why Do They Get Overloaded?
Hydrovac trucks operate by vacuuming wet or dry materials into a debris tank. As these tanks fill with variable-density material — from sludge to gravel-laden slurry — weight distribution becomes unpredictable. It’s easy to unintentionally exceed legal weight limits even if the tank isn’t visibly full.
This poses serious risks:
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Road fines and legal penalties for overloading
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Increased wear on brakes, tires, and suspension
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Safety hazards for drivers and other road users
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Damage to customer trust and business reputation
Global Overloading Regulations: Key Takeaways by Region
✅ New Zealand & Australia
Both countries enforce strict axle load limits and GVM restrictions through weighbridge checks and roadside inspections. Overloaded hydrovac trucks can attract instant fines, demerit points, and vehicle immobilisation.
✅ USA & Canada
North American regulations vary by state and province but are universally strict. DOT inspections regularly target vacuum trucks due to their high overloading potential. Fines can exceed USD $10,000 per incident, and repeat offenders face downtime or loss of operating licences.
✅ UK & Europe
The UK’s Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and EU equivalents enforce overload laws aggressively. Fines, court appearances, and even impounding of vehicles are not uncommon. Many European municipalities require weight certificates as part of project compliance.
How Loadsense Helps Hydrovac Fleets Stay Compliant and Competitive
At Loadsense, we’ve developed a cutting-edge onboard weighing system purpose-built for vacuum waste trucks, including hydrovac and sucker truck applications. Our solution helps operators:
✔ Stay Within Legal Weight Limits
Our onboard system provides real-time weight monitoring for each axle group, helping drivers avoid overloading before leaving the site.
✔ Avoid Downtime and Fines
With accurate weight data, operators can sidestep weighbridge surprises and roadside penalties, keeping trucks in service and contracts on schedule.
✔ Improve Safety and Reduce Wear
By maintaining optimal loads, you protect your suspension, tyres, brakes, and transmission from premature failure caused by excessive weight.
✔ Achieve GVM Compliance Internationally
Whether you’re operating in Auckland, Alberta, Texas, or London — our system supports compliance with GVM and axle loading standards across all major markets.
Loadsense Onboard Weighing Technology: Designed for Hydrovac Success
Our system supports two key sensor types that fit the needs of hydrovac operators:
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Air Bag Weighing Sensors
Fitted to each axle group with one sensor per levelling valve, available in wired or wireless RF technology (far more robust than Bluetooth). This offers seamless, accurate weighing for air suspension systems. -
Hydraulic Pressure Sensors
Perfect for vacuum trucks using hoist mechanisms. These sensors monitor hydraulic pressure on the lift ram, providing accurate load estimates with minimal hardware installation.
💡 Benefit: Loadsense systems are easily installed, cost-effective, and integrate with most vehicle types — making them ideal for both new and existing hydrovac trucks.
Built for Fleet Managers, Drivers & Business Owners
The Loadsense solution isn’t just about compliance — it’s about efficiency, safety, and profitability. With onboard weighing:
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Fleet managers gain operational visibility
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Drivers avoid risky guesswork
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Business owners improve service consistency and reduce liabilities
It’s a win-win for your entire organisation.
Ready to Protect Your Hydrovac Fleet and Bottom Line?
Make the smart move today. Join hundreds of operators across New Zealand, Australia, the USA, Canada, the UK, and Europe who trust Loadsense to keep their sucker trucks compliant, safe, and productive.
🔗 Visit: https://loadsensescales.com
📧 Contact: [email protected]
Loadsense – Weigh Smarter. Drive Safer. Stay Compliant.