![The Driving Dilemma: Manual Vs. Automatic Transmissions for Pumpers](https://cole-pumper.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pumper.com%2Fuploads%2Fimages%2FWatkins-Septic-Automatic-Transmission.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=620&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=75&w=1024&s=d69e8f5303111748ea64ef5a5fcc7fdf)
Joe and Carli pictured in the large garage their two septic trucks are stored in, along with Billy Joiner (right), who drives one of the trucks. (Photo by Eric Seals)
Joe Watkins’ first vacuum truck had a standard 10-speed transmission. Although he loved driving it, he decided after only a few years to sell it and buy a 2023 International HV607 from Imperial Industries with a 4,250-gallon aluminum tank and an Allison automatic...