i just wanted to know how you guys out there tarp your hoppers to keep them clean from splatter.

we do about 3 moves a day and just wanted to know if someone has some tricks or speed tips so you dont have to remove tarps when moving,

some pictures would be real sweet

What we have done is take off the metal bar at the top of the rubber and place the tarp inbetween the rubber and the steel, bolt it back together. Then all you have to do is fold it up and throw it in your hopper when moving or done.

We use 4 or 6 mil plastic (Depending on who we get it from).  A roll usually lasts 3 days or so.  We put a skirt under the back of the hopper to avoid splashing the rear undercarriage when washing out.  Then a whole piece over the rear of the pump to avoid splashing when the mixers are unloading.  As needed we cover the cab and outriggers to avoid splashing.  Expensive? yes, but we want our machines to remain pristine just like the way they came from the factory and fresh plastic everyday is our answer. 

Pumpon,I would have to say follow your heart.The only way we learned is to experiment.Observation,be carefull on covering the cab as not to obstruct radiator.Also some cheap tarp would cover your deck and be reusable.Covering the deck can lead to heat retention of the oil,a killer of pumps.We did find old burlap sacks over the transition helped with what blessings the driver left us with.Common sense will help guide you

oil it down even if it's just vegetable oil, and pressure wash it every day.

I don't tarp, I like to see all the moving parts well.  I use a light coating of diesel on the most susceptible areas, then when your done it comes off real easy with pressure wash.

Tarping protects more than just the paint job. The most important piece is under, and just forward of your hopper. This protects your suspension, brake pots, air lines and electrical lines under your truck frame from overflow and cleanout splatter. This may not be important to some fleet operators. An owner operator, lone ranger or long ranger that needs to keep his brakes adjusted and his unit up to DOT specs with out the benefit of being cared for by a mechanic every night knows what I am talking about. A simple job can turn into a real pain if you first must chip the crete off whatever it is you wish to fix. There is another reason for this particular tarp; keeping build-up off of the differential that may come loose on the highway and cause an accident or worse.

If you dont do it for yourself; do it for the mechanic, or the other people with which you share the road. ;~)