Combination sewer cleaning trucks are an important tool in a contractor’s toolbox. But when working in densely populated areas, the large trucks are often too cumbersome to operate.

Smaller trucks that offer the same cleaning power, while being more efficient and easier to navigate, are becoming more prevalent in the industry. The operator can focus on cleaning the line and resolving the customer’s problem, rather than worrying about access points for a large vehicle. The Defender, a complete all-in-one skid-mounted system from Spartan Tool, answers the call.

The Defender is delivered ready to mount onto a vehicle, or the unit can be purchased in a package with a truck. According to Mike Sekach, national sales director for Spartan Tool, the Defender is known as a “single-resolution vehicle,” meaning one vehicle that can be used to complete the whole drain cleaning job. There’s no assembly required on the customer’s end, meaning the Defender is ready to work from day one.

“You can remove waste with the powerful onboard vacuum pump and then clean and clear the line with the high-pressure jetting system,” he says. “If you were relying on mechanical drain cleaning machines or hydrojetters alone, you would have to bring a secondary vehicle on site to remove waste before you can attempt to clear the blockage.”

The Spartan Defender was designed in partnership with Spartan’s sister company, Rioned, who also developed the company’s Urban line of skid-mount jetters. It includes a 396-gallon tank with 264 gallons of waste and 132 gallons of freshwater capacity, a powerful Speck NP45 pump offering 3,000 psi at 10 gpm, a Kubota D1105 24 hp diesel engine, Gardner Denver SLS-54V suction pump, an Econtrol digital display, a Riomote nine-channel radio remote control, a side-mounted suction hose reel with direct connection to the waste tank, an engine and pump compartment, and side-mounted storage boxes. It allows the operator to remove waste from an operating sewer, and is suitable to be used for grease trap or small septic tank cleaning and maintenance.

“Our customers have been very excited about the Defender,” Sekach says. “The compact, efficient footprint really sets it apart. The Spartan Defender is ideal for a lot of applications, and puts high-end combination truck capability within reach for most businesses and municipalities.” 800-435-3866; www.spartantool.com