Category: Featured

Hydro VS Air Excavation – Which is best for your industry?

What is Vacuum Excavation?

Vacuum excavation is the process of digging by using high-pressure water or air to soften the soil and then utilizing vacuum to remove the soil and debris. Vacuum Excavation, also known as suction excavation or soft dig, is accepted as being safer than hand digging within the tolerance zone around underground utilities. Read More

Vacuum Excavation allows for workers on site to stay safe on the surface and helps eliminate accidental line damage and trench cave-ins. With vacuum excavation, companies and municipalities have an alternative to hand digging and a much safer way to expose utilities. Vacuum Excavation is the best method of identifying the accurate depth and location of an underground utility.

Vac-Tron Vacuum Excavator
Vac-Tron Vacuum Excavator

Why use vacuum excavation?

Vacuum excavation virtually eliminates the danger of damaging underground utilities, while mechanical digging with hand tools or backhoes can cause damage to those utilities.

Vacuum excavation is less invasive than traditional methods of digging. It also offers lower cost with a higher level of precision with less surface restoration needed.

There are costs involved when striking an underground utility so by using vacuum excavation instead, you could eventually save cost and save lives within your company and in the community.

What is the difference between Hydro and Air Excavation?

Hydro Excavation is the process of safely uncovering underground utilities utilizing high-pressure water along with high-speed vacuum. Hydro excavation is faster than air excavation and is considered the most efficient type of vacuum excavation. Hydro excavation does not allow for the re-use of the spoil material for refilling the hole.

Air or Dry Excavation is the process of using compressed air to disturb the earth’s soil which is then vacuumed up into a debris tank. Air excavation can be slower than hydro excavation, but it does allow the debris to be used back into the whole.

Should vacuum excavation be required by law?

There are companies that already require it. There are also states that require soft digging because of the safety benefits. Utilizing a vacuum excavator reduces the chance of damaging underground utilities.

What are the different types of equipment?

There are trailer-mounted units that can be towed behind a truck, so when you are not using it, it can be left in your yard. There are also truck mounted units. The available tow package on truck units allows towing of other equipment to the job site to help with efficiency. See the full line of Vac-Tron Vacuum Excavation Equipment Here.

How to compare and evaluate different vacuum excavators?

You want to make sure you buy quality units that are tough and durable to handle the load. Because when you are excavating you have a live load in your tank and you want to make sure the trailer or the truck is set up to handle that load. Vac-Tron units are built from start to finish including the trailer which consists of sturdy I beam construction. There is no tougher trailer on the market. All are American Made. You also want to look at the filtration system.

What to look for when purchasing equipment?

The first thing you look at it is capacity, what type of capacities do you need. Also, what type of performance are you requiring. We have all different sizes, small units from 150-gallons to 2,000-gallon capacity.

What is new in vacuum excavation equipment?

There is new technology happening with the solidification of the material because its all about what do you do with that material after you excavated it. Contact us for more information here.

What are some other uses or applications for this equipment?

There are many different types of applications in the cleanup industry, especially in industrial plants. Many times, these plants are already using a vacuum of some sort or they have other companies coming in and doing it for them. Now, these industrial plants are finding out that they can buy a smaller trailer mounted unit or truck mounted unit and have it available to them at all times and it’s more efficient. See More Vac-Tron Vacuum Excavator Applications Here.

How do I implement vacuum excavation as a policy and best practice in my company or organization?

There is a website you can go to vacuumexcavation.com and it gives you the policies and things you can implement into your company. It also helps you write that into your company. Once you do; you are safer, your employees are safer, and your profits are safer because you are less likely to strike underground utilities and damage them like you would if you are not using vacuum excavation.

What can I do to promote safe digging practices at my workplace?

There are different organizations that promote vacuum excavation, they all have conventions and seminars that promote safe digging where you and your employees or employer can receive further education on the topic. Everyone should get involved at some level. Contact us for more information here.

How Utility Crews at the University of Central Florida utilize a Vac-Tron

The University of Central Florida purchased a Vac-Tron AIR 373 SDT vacuum excavator in 2016 and shared the benefits this unit has created for the facilities.

“We didn’t have an initiative on campus to do soft digging and locating, so we went looking for a solution and Vac-Tron came out to be the best value for our money,” said Anthony Lugo, UCF Utility Supervisor.

Project Descriptions

Some of the initiatives that UCF utility workers handle daily include identifying and mapping the location of utility lines.

“We have a lot of old utility lines in the ground that haven’t been located in many decades. They have never been marked properly, and it is our job to find them, mark them, and put them on the map. Finding those lines can be time-consuming and intrusive to the property. But the biggest obstacle when you are part of the utility crew is safety, you don’t want to hit electrical lines with a shovel.” said Lugo.

 

The utility crew is also responsible for emergency water line breaks. “Prepping the area for a water line break repair is a tedious job and time is of the essence,” added Lugo.

 

Solution

The Vac-Tron AIR 373 SDT vacuum excavation unit. The UCF AIR unit is powered by an 83 HP Yanmar diesel engine and comes standard with a 300-gallon debris tank, air pressure of 150 CFM at 170 PSI, hydraulically operated full-open rear door with auto engage safety latch, and one 100-gallon water tank. This unit also has the Patented Remote Debris Tank, which collects the dry material and then can be positioned back over the hole to put back into place without causing much disruption to the surroundings.

Air pressure is used to break up the soil by a UCF utility crew. This process is used to safely locate underground utility lines.
After the soil is broken up the powerful vacuum removes the debris stores the soil into the Vac-Tron unit

Upgrading from traditional methods of excavation, an excavator or hand shovel, to a Vac-Tron unit has greatly increased efficiency for the UCF utility crew. “It made things faster, it made things safer. It saves us a lot of time, what used to take 4-6 hours, now only takes 1-2 hours. We aren’t spending any unnecessary time doing a job.” said Lugo.

“The biggest thing is safety, safety is the key aspect. The Vac-Tron unit allows us to be safe in an expedited fashion. This is considered soft digging, which is just basically pulling the dirt out of the ground so you’re not striking anything. You could hit a high voltage electrical line, high-pressure water or gas line, any number of things, and the Vac-Tron AIR unit helps to eliminate that.” stated Lugo.

Results

  • Potholing quickly to locate old utility lines for identification and mapping
  • 4-6 hour projects now take 1-2 hours
  • Respond quicker to water line breaks
  • Quicker repairs to water line breaks with the power of the vacuum excavator removing debris
  • Cleaning of storm drains in an efficient way
  • Wastewater spills quickly cleaned up
  • Less intrusive to the campus’ infrastructure
  • Less disruption to the environment

Multiple departments at UCF are also using the Vac-Tron unit. For example, the Landscaping and Recreation crew uses it to clean out storm drains, and the Design and Construction team will request it to locate lines for future construction on the campus. UCF has found multiple uses for the Vac-Tron unit. “This has been a godsend because we can actually find things without being as intrusive to the campus’ infrastructure. For the value we are getting, it has turned out to be priceless!” added Lugo.

Check out the full interview and video footage of the unit in action at UCF.

JTV (Jetter Truck Vac) on display at the WWETT Show – Indiana Feb. 21-24, 2018

Vac-Tron has the right equipment for you! Our JTV (Jetter Truck Vac) series of PTO truck driven systems combines high CFM vacuum excavation with high pressure jetter capabilities putting this truck in a league of its own. The JTV is one of the most versatile sewer jetter machines on the market today, so don’t miss our BOOTH 6328 at the WWETT show!

The Power Take Off of the truck drives a positive displacement vacuum blower that produces 1,000 cfm @ 16 hg vacuum pump. It also comes standard with reverse pressure, 800-gallon debris tank, 300-gallon water supply, 15 gpm @ 3000 psi water pump, hydraulic rear claw door, the industry leading big red filter housing, and 500′ x 1/2″jetter hose reel.

A major benefit of the PTO Driven unit is that all components are controlled from the truck eliminating the extra weight, space, and cost of the pony motor. The available towing package is another benefit allowing you to tow other equipment to the job site to help with efficiency.

This is an exceptional vacuum excavator for many projects including sewer jetting, potholing, storm drain cleaning, lateral cleanout and many more.

For more information about the JTV 873 PTO, contact Vac-Tron Equipment at 888-822-8766

Introducing Empire CAT as new Arizona dealer

Vac-Tron Equipment is excited to introduce Empire CAT as their new Arizona dealer. Vac-Tron partnered with Empire because they share the same common core values and beliefs. “This was a perfect fit and we are honored to have Empire CAT representing our product line.” Brian Showley, VP Vac-Tron Equipment.

“We wanted to partner with a company that shared similar strategies within the markets we serve. Vac-Tron is an industry leader in vacuum excavation and their equipment lends itself to the same clientele that we serve with our excavation lines from Caterpillar. Empire CAT is always looking for ways to offer our customers safer and more efficient products and our partnership with Vac-Tron brings a new level of safety to the jobsite.”  Michael Rodoni, Rental Manager for Empire CAT

Empire Southwest, LLC is a third-generation family-owned Caterpillar dealership. Founded in 1950 by Jack Whiteman, Empire sells, rents, and services heavy equipment, tractors, and power generation equipment to contractors throughout Arizona.

Empire is: 

  • Committed to meeting the needs and supporting the success of clients throughout the mining, agriculture, and construction industries.
  • Proud of our business culture, which was built on the Corporate Values of Safety, Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, Excellence, Stewardship, and Astonishment.
  • Dedicated to the success of our clients and the communities we serve.
  • Committed to building and maintaining solid business partnerships.

For more information on Empire CAT, please visit www.empire-cat.com.

For more information on Vac-Tron Equipment or to schedule a FREE demo,  call 1-888-VAC-TRON or fill out the form below.

Celebrating 6,000th Unit And ‘Logan Lucky’ Appearance

Vac-Tron Equipment hosted a red carpet event to celebrate its 6,000th unit being built, along with its Low Profile trailer mounted industrial vacuum unit debuting in Logan Lucky, a new hit comedy. The event was held in the Villages, Fla., where Vac-Tron hosted the screening and was a chance for its employees and their families to celebrate this monumental event. Also in attendance was Vac-Tron’s customer Echo Utility Engineering and Surveying, who recently purchased the 6,000th unit, along with Vac-Tron’s dealer, Vermeer Southeast.

Channing Tatum holding on to Vac-Tron unit on set of Logan Lucky

‘Lucky’ doesn’t begin to describe the amazing product placement that Vac-Tron received on the big screen. The movie showed the true power of the Vac-Tron units as actors Channing Tatum, Daniel Craig and Adam Driver used the unit to suck money out of an underground vault and into the vacuum unit for the big heist.

The Vac-Tron unit made its star appearance within a few minutes of the movie starting. It was a surreal experience to see the Vac-Tron unit live and in action with the loud cheers from the crowd. The movie showcased the unit at least 10 times with extended periods during each shot and the crowd’s enthusiasm increased every time. This was a humbling experience for the employees of Vac-Tron to see a unit that they built in the little city of Okahumpka, Fla., make it to the big screen. Vac-Tron units have been built in Central Florida for over 20 years and shipped all around the world.

A reporter with The Daily Sun interviewed Vac-Tron’s founder Don Buckner and president Tim Fischer. “We never thought that we’d make it on the big screen and we are excited for all of our employees. We have a great team and to be able to celebrate this event and our 6,000th unit is a true honor”, said Fischer.
“I started Vac-Tron in my two-car garage more than 20 years ago. We started with nothing and built it to the organization it is today,” said Buckner. “It’s just surreal to me to imagine that we had this kind of success with our equipment.”

It’s no wonder the director decided to use a Vac-Tron unit when looking for a versatile way to safely dig and suck material up quickly for a project, even if it was just for a movie. While Vac-Tron does not list “robbing a NASCAR race,” as an application for its product, there are many highly efficient applications for a Vac-Tron unit, i.e. locating utilities, potholing, directional drilling, controlled excavation, industrial cleanup and many more.

Published on: utilitycontractoronline.com

See the newest innovations at ICUEE this year, booth K-233 in Louisville, KY on October 3rd-5th, 2017
Read More: https://www.vactron.com/icuee-2017/

Vac Excavators Featured in the Carolina’s Vermeer Locations

Companies and municipalities utilizing a vacuum excavator for safer digging have a more efficient way to handle projects. Using hydro vacuum excavation is less invasive in nature when compared to other traditional methods of excavating, higher precision, leading to less disposal of materials and accordingly less restoration, and uses less manpower when compared to conventional digging. Dirt is stored in the debris tank keeping the area clean which leads to minimal disruption in traffic and less damage to power lines.

vermeermidatlantic.com

To learn more about the units below, visit or call one of the Vermeer Mid Atlantic locations located in North & South Carolina.

  • Colfax, NC
  • Garner, NC
  • Simpsonville, SC
  • Summerville, SC

Vac-Tron Equipment’s full fleet of Truck Mounted PTO Series Vacuum Excavators

 

The Hydro Truck Vac (HTV) PTO driven systems are available with 300 to 1200–gallon size debris tanks, 1,000 cfm blower, and 4” hose & tooling.

The Jetter Truck Vac (JTV) PTO combines vacuum excavation with high pressure jetter capabilities. 1,000 cfm @ 16 hg vacuum blower, 800 to 1200-gallon debris tanks, 15 gpm @ 3000 psi jetter pump, and 500′ x 1/2″ jetter hose.

These units are standard with a high-pressure water system, full hydraulic rear door, reverse pressure, and the patented “Big Red” filter housing that cleans the air down to 0.5 microns.

Micro Trenching is one of the installation methods being utilized by contractors to bring fiber networks to consumers


Micro Trenching is an installation method in which a narrow and relatively shallow trench is cut, usually on an asphalt roadway. Trench dimensions can range from .75 to 2.24 inches wide and 8 to 16 inches deep. While cutting, a vacuum system connected to the cutter wheel cleanly diverts and transports debris away from the worksite. Once the conduit is laid, the trench is backfilled with a grout compound.

Advantages of Micro Trenching include minimal cutting width that boosts installation production, reduce costs of backfill, shallow depth placement which helps avoid encounters with existing utilities and jobsite cleanliness thanks to the vacuum spoil that removes debris.

Vac-Tron Equipment has gone one step further in the cleanup process by developing a solution to micro trenching using a specialized in-tank filter (patent pending) inside the vacuum excavation unit’s debris tank. In most cases, the in-tank filter eliminates the need to add water to the micro trenching process and eliminates excessive material from reaching the cyclone separator. By using this filter, it will reduce the cleanup time during the trench run because there will be no need to stop and cleanout the cyclone or unclog the exit hose from debris tank due to caked material. Ultimately this will increase overall efficiency onsite.

David Donohue of Vermeer Mid Atlantic says “The Vac-Tron LP 573 SGT is the ideal vacuum for micro trenching, the high cfm’s and low noise output made communication and productivity simple.” David and Pfeiffer Enterprise Inc were demonstrating Vermeer’s micro trenching equipment and Vac-Tron’s LP SGT high cfm unit in Glen Bernie, MD in the photo above.

Using a Vacuum Excavator for Digging Sign Post Holes

 

SignCrafters of Central Florida used a Vac-Tron LP533SDT to safely excavate a 3 foot diameter hole by 8 feet deep for a concrete footer. They were installing a sign for a new medical center in Leesburg, FL. The excavation took 40 minutes including setup and breakdown.

When digging a 3 to 4′ foot wide by 8′ foot deep hole for a sign post, using a vacuum excavator provides a safe and more efficient alternative to traditional digging.  Vacuum excavation provides efficiency by storing all sand and debris into a storage tank for easy dumping and filling.

“A utility friendly way to dig.” Says Dennis Martin, President of Sign Crafters of Central Florida. “When digging for posts using a VAC-TRON, you don’t have to worry about breaking utilities and slowing down your project.”

Save time, increase productivity, and eliminate the chance of damaging underground utilities.  Your crew running a vacuum excavator by VAC-TRON will increase job completions in a given day.  Municipalities are using vacuum excavation for utility locates as well as working around roots for meter readings.  The same logic applies when digging holes for commercial signs.

A recommended unit is the all new Competitive Vac (CV) unit.  Hand built in the USA from the ground up including the durable trailer assembly. The low profile trailer keeps the components of the unit easily accessible while making the unit safe to tow.

  • Configuration Available Skid, Trailer, or Truck Mounted
  • Engine 27 hp Kohler EFI gas engine
  • Vacuum Pump 580 cfm vacuum pump
  • Vacuum Hose 3” UV protected hose is standard, 4” option is available
  • Debris Tank 500, 800, or 1200-gallon debris tank
  • Rear Door Hydraulically operated full open and locked rear door with auto-engage safety latch
  • Water Tank Capacity Two (2) 100-gallon water tanks with optional 300 and 400 gallons
  • Water Pump 3,500 psi @ 4 gpm water pump pressure
  • Reverse Pressureto off-load liquids and dislodge debris in hose is optional
  • WeightCV 570 GT empty weight with trailer 5,360 lbs. CV 870 GT empty weight with trailer 6,140 lbs. CV 1270 GT empty weight with trailer

Schedule a time below to have your team demo a unit and test the latest technologies for safer and more efficient digging.

Case Study: How the City of Tavares, FL utilizes a Vacuum Excavator

 

The City Director came to Phillip Clark, Water Supervisor for Tavares, FL – America’s Seaplane City, with details of a surplus in the budget. “What can we add to our fleet to work smarter and not harder? What out there in the industry is new and innovative?” He asked.

Mr. Clark is constantly researching and reading about what is innovative and groundbreaking. He says that there isn’t much at times to be found, but he saw a VAC-TRON at work on the side of the road and had to look into it. He scheduled a demo and saw how productivity would greatly improve with the use of a low profile, trailered vacuum excavator. So it was presented to council to be able to add an invaluable machine to their fleet. Council agreed and approved.

Project Descriptions

One of the many tasks his crews has to handle is checking meter boxes and cleaning around the roots and debris that collects inside. This routine usually takes an entire day to handle just six or so boxes. Due to the sprawling roots, shovels are used to dig and it has been an inefficient process. The typical hole is 2 ft by 30 inches.

Another task is repairing leaks in water lines and removing the water and dirt to allow for a clear area to work. A sample that Mr. Clark shared was a recent water break under a concrete driveway that had to be broken away to reveal the repair project. It was a 2 inch water break 3 feet under driveway 2 ft of concrete.

As for all cities – locating underground utilities is a constant project where in the past typically a probe is used. Finding these lines with a probe can be dangerous and time consuming.

Challenges

-Up to a day to clean out and view a half a dozen meter boxes
-Exposure to bugs, snakes, and other elements
-Excavation for small leaks, remove water to find the source of the leak
-Safety when digging around gas and power lines

The Solution

To upgrade from traditional methods of digging to a VAC-TRON increased efficiency. Adding a trailered vacuum excavator by VAC-TRON proved to be a well-made investment. The Low Profile Series has full potholing or daylighting and clean up capabilities with a 300-gallon debris capacity, manual spin-wheel door and two (2) 50-gallon water tanks.

Results

-Easily remove water and dirt for a more productive way to repair water line breaks
-Works as a mobile pressure cleaner as well without having to have a power source
-Will equate in to quick payback for the city, per Mr. Clark
-Keeps the team away from reptiles and insects
-A much safer way to dig
-Using a VAC-TRON only took 30 minutes to clean the same 6 boxes that used to take all day

Digging Safely with a Vac-Tron Vacuum Excavator

Vac-Tron’s founder set out to create a safer way to dig over 20 years ago. Since then, our company has been developing equipment and patented ideas that save lives.  Using Vac-Tron Equipment also helps with environmental protection and cleanup, making less contaminated and safer areas.

There is new legislation being introduced in municipalities, requiring the use a vacuum excavator when digging for certain projects, i.e. utility locate.  VacuumExcavation.com shares a New Underground Utility Protection Policy and recommends adding to job specs, contract, and adopt as policy.

(Sample of Document)
Part 2 – GENERAL
A. All utilities within 5 feet of a work zone MUST be found and seen prior to the start of any excavation operations.
B. Potholing shall be performed to verify the location and depth of the existing utilities.
C. Backhoes, trenchers or other type of mechanical equipment shall not be used to find underground utilities within 5 feet of a work zone.
D. At no time shall picks, round pointed shovels, or any other type of sharp tool be used for locating utilities.
E. Only square blunt non-sharp tools may be used for hand digging.
F. Vacuum Excavation shall be allowed with the use of high pressure water (up to 4,000 psi) with an approved non-cutting nozzle. Zero degree nozzles are not allowed.
G. Vacuum Excavation may also be allowed utilizing high pressure air (with dust containment system) or dry vacuum.

Remember that April is National Safe Digging month.  Safety is our true mission and we have succeeded in helping companies dig safer while greatly increasing productivity.

Every six minutes an underground utility line is damaged, but thanks to vacuum excavation, the number of accidents is lessening. Damaging utilities can be costly and result in environmental contamination, project delays, and even death. In order to stop these accidents, safe digging as mentioned above and by vacuumexavation.com should be planned.

 

 

Micro-trenching made easy with vacuum excavators

Micro-trenching is an installation method in which a narrow and relatively shallow trench is cut, usually on an asphalt roadway. Micro-trenching is one of the installation methods being utilized by contractors to bring fiber networks to consumers. Trench dimensions can range from .75 to 2.24 inches wide and 8 to 16 inches deep. While cutting, a vacuum system connected to the cutter wheel cleanly diverts and transports debris away from the worksite. Once the conduit is laid, the trench is backfilled with a grout compound.

Advantages of Micro Trenching include minimal cutting width that boosts installation production and reduces costs of backfill, shallow depth placement which helps avoid encounters with existing utilities and jobsite cleanliness thanks to the vacuum spoil that removes debris.

Vac-Tron has come up with a solution to micro trenching using a Vac-Tron vacuum excavation unit.  Check out the Case Study Overview below in the video.

David Donohue of Vermeer Mid Atlantic says “The Vac-Tron LP 573 SGT is the ideal vacuum for micro trenching, the high cfm’s and low noise output made communication and productivity simple.”

Recently, David was demonstrating Vermeer’s micro trenching equipment and Vac-Tron’s LP SGT high cfm unit in Glen Bernie, MD in this photo.

For more info visit www.vactron.com or call Vac-Tron at 1-352-728-2222.


Top 5 benefits of Hydro and Air Vacuum Excavation (Video)

Have you see all of the benefits of a vacuum excavator?

Learn from this video about digging safely with the help of vacuum excavation.

Questions or want to have your team try a unit in your area?

Vac-Tron is the industry’s innovative leader and one of the world’s largest producers of industrial vacuum excavation equipment. Boasting more than 30 industrial vacuum products, over 50 wet and dry uses, and located in 115 dealers in North America.

Vac-Tron’s core mission is to provide the highest quality hydro and air vacuum excavators that are Made in the USA.  Established over 20 years ago.

Competitive Vacuum Trailer – CV Series Walk-Around (Video)

Vac-Tron Equipment is excited to introduce a whole new line to their vacuum excavation equipment. It’s the new CV (Competitive Vac) Series. This series offers the performance you have come to expect from Vac-Tron Equipment while keeping the cost of operation to a minimum.

INTRODUCING THE NEW CV (COMPETITIVE VAC) SERIES

 

competitive-vac-excavator-3CV (Competitive Vac) Series

Vac-Tron Equipment is excited to introduce a whole new line to their vacuum excavation equipment. It’s the new CV (Competitive Vac) Series. This series offers the performance you have come to expect from Vac-Tron Equipment while keeping the cost of operation to a minimum.

Standard equipment:

CV GT models: Powered by 27 HP Kohler EFI gas engine, 580 cfm @ 15 Hg, Wet/dry filtration with cyclonic separation, 500 or 800-gallon debris tank, 7 Series Claw Door, Hydraulic rear door with auto engage safety latch, 200 – 300-gallon water capacities, 3500 psi @ 4 GPM, Water knife and cleanup wand, 30’ x 3” vacuum hose.

CV SGT High CFM models:  Powered by a 37 HP Kohler gas engine, 1000 cfm @ 15 Hg, Wet/dry filtration with cyclonic separation, 500 or 800-gallon debris tank, 7 Series Claw Door, Hydraulic rear door with auto engage safety latch, 200 – 300-gallon water capacities, 3500 psi @ 4 GPM, Water knife and cleanup wand, 30’ x 4” vacuum hose.

Optional reverse pressure is also available.

 

PTO Vac Truck with Jetter System (Video)

Vac-Tron Equipment is on a roll. Only one year after releasing their very first HTV (Hydro Truck Vac) PTO, they are now introducing their NEW JTV (Jetter Truck Vac) PTO series. The JTV 873 PTO is a new series of PTO truck driven systems that combine vacuum excavation with high pressure jetter capabilities putting this truck in a league of its own.


The Power Take Off of the truck drives a positive displacement vacuum blower that produces 1,000 cfm @ 16 hg vacuum pump.

Additional standard equipment:

  • Reverse pressure
  • 800-gallon debris tank
  • 300-gallon water supply
  • 15 GPM @ 3000 psi water pump
  • Hydraulic rear claw door
  • Big red filter housing
  • 500′ x 1/2″ jetter hose reel.

A major benefit of the PTO Driven unit is that all components are controlled from the truck eliminating the extra weight, space, and cost of the pony motor. The available towing package is another benefit allowing you to tow other equipment to the job site to help with efficiency.

This is an exceptional vacuum excavator for many projects including sewer jetting, potholing, storm drain cleaning, lateral cleanout and many more.

Hydro Excavator Low Profile Series Demonstration (Video)

“Vac-Tron’s Low profile series has quickly become a much needed hydro excavator on jobsites around the country.  The LP series is Vac-Tron’s number one acquired hydro excavator by companies and municipalities and will be the most used piece of equipment in your fleet.”

LP Series Vacuum Excavator

There are many different models and options for the LP Series, including a hydraulic boom.  Please view brochures and additional videos on the Vac-Tron LP Series equipment page.  All Vac-Tron trailers are engineered and built for low profile towing which provides a level of safety not seen on other equipment.

Patented Filtration System

With its patented filtration system, it allows for both wet and dry applications.  Nickednamed “big red”.

The Vac-Tron filtration system incorporates four important components into one assembly:

  1. Cyclone
  2. Silencer
  3. Four-Way Valve
  4. 0.5 Micron Filter

Check out this article for a more indepth look into each component of the filtration system: The ‘Big Red’ Patented Filtration System for Vacuum Excavation (w/ video)

Hydraulic Locking Door

The LP series is also equipped with a hydraulic locking door that has proven reliability in the field.  With over center locking mechanism for a simple no fuss positive lock and unlock, There is no hydraulic pressure needed to remain locked.

Strong Arm

The strong arm helps to support the weight of the vacuum excavation hose to reduce work fatigue on the job site and to increase mobility.  When it is time to move to the next job location the side hose storage makes it quick and easy to store the vacuum hose and tools.

Reverse Pressure

Reverse pressure is standard and allows the operator to offload liquids and remove debris from the vacuum hose with ease.

Other Features

These units are equipped with high pressure water systems with water capacities up to 400 gallons helping to keep the crews on the jobsite longer.  Vac-Tron only uses top quality hose reels for reliable service.

Check out the latest demonstration video and schedule a 30 minute demo for your organization in your area.


 

Municipalities empowered by Vacuum Excavators

Cities are digging safer and more efficiently by arming departments with vacuum excavators.  In the rarest of cases, fire departments are using vacuum excavators for trench collapse rescues.  The more common use though is the need for potholing, sewer jetting, storm drain cleaning, and many other applications.

Some regulatory agencies require potholing when a path of a bore trench closely parallels or crosses existing underground utilities.
  Cities are taking the necessary step in getting access to vacuum excavation equipment.  In a small city meeting recently in Kansas, permission was granted to the Water Department to purchase a VAC-TRON LP573SGT.

“Basically, Wally’s been after me to get one of these since I’ve been here, but with all the underground utilities going in and all the fiber optics, it’s become a necessity for us to pothole and find the phone lines, gas lines, before we even start digging our own main lines,” Water Department Director Calvin Burke said. “So what we’re looking at is a combination pothole VAC-TRON machine. It’s a high pressure washer where you take the wand, and you work it and then work the back part, stick the hose on the nozzle, and just suck the dirt right out of the hole.”  – leaderandtimes.com

Tri-County Electric Cooperative, a cooperative utility based in Hooker, Okla., recently put in service a truck-mounted, large vacuum excavator model.

“Being on a truck provides good mobility,” said Rick Wayman, manager of construction. “We do a lot of potholing with the machine. Many city areas we work in are full of utilities, and vacuum excavation can quickly make potholes without damaging the lines being located.

“We also are using it to dig piers for light poles,” Wayman said. “Locations where poles are being set also are in areas full of utilities, and without the new machine, they would have to be dug by hand—there are too many utilities to use mechanical equipment.” – ecmag.com

The Public Works crew in the image below in the City of Temecula, California uses a Vac-Tron PMD 500 GT vacuum truck with a 500-gallon debris tank, 225-gallon freshwater tank, and a jetter putting out 15 GPM/2,200 psi. They capture cleaning water at the outlet of the basin box to keep it from reaching the creeks.

 

The City of Temecula, Calif. use Vacuum Excavation to clean out catch basins
The City of Temecula, Calif. use Vacuum Excavation to clean out catch basins (Image Source: mswmag.com)

To learn more about vacuum excavation and adding a Vac-Tron to your fleet, go here to schedule a demo in your area.

 

373 PTO Vac Excavation Truck

373 in the bronx

Air Excavation is the process of using compressed air to disturb the soil so that it may be lifted with the vacuum. This process is used to safely uncover underground utilities as well as open up trenches allowing the dry soil to be reused in the original hole. Vac-Tron now has a new PTO unit available with an air compressor.

The HTV PTO is now available with 150 CFM @ 175 psi air compressor and our patent pending remote debris tank that allows the operator to easily put the dry soil back into the hole.  

The Power Take Off of the truck drives a positive displacement vacuum blower that produces 1,000 cfm. This unit is standard with a high pressure water system, full hydraulic rear claw door, reverse pressure, and the patented “Big Red” filter housing that cleans the air down to 00.5 microns (best in the industry). Hydraulic booms are also available on the PTO series units.  

A major benefit of the PTO unit is that all components are powered from the truck’s engine eliminating the extra weight, space, and cost of the pony motor.  The available towing package is another benefit allowing you to tow other equipment to the job site to help with efficiency.

This is an exceptional vacuum excavator for many projects as well as directional drill site cleanup, confident utility locates, job site safety, and productive job site management.

HTV 373 PTO w air 1 (1)

For more information about the HTV PTO, contact Vac-Tron Equipment at 888-822-8766 to request a free demo.

Preventing the dangers of excavation (video)



A gas line strike with traditional excavation is one of the worst disasters a project can incur and happens too often. Vacuum excavation is a much safer alternative when digging around gas lines.

The cost of damaging utilities can range from environmental contamination, project delays, lost time and productivity and even more tragically, death.

Because vacuum excavation is so safe and precise, it is even being used for trench rescues due to the speed and safety of removing the soil from around a victim.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS INFORMATIVE VIDEO WITH YOUR TEAM.  Here is the direct YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEEV_-ztKcs

Hydro Vacuum Excavation is Booming

Due to the continued growth in the use of hydro and air vacuum excavation for safe digging, AEM (Association of Equipment Manufacturers) has announced the formation of a Vacuum Excavator Program. The program is made up of nine top vacuum excavator manufacturers. The main purpose of the program is to track statistics of vacuum excavator sales in the U.S. and Canada to help with trend reporting and other data.

“Throughout the United States, vacuum excavation is gaining popularity.” – Forester Daily News

Hydro vacuum excavation is a non-mechanical and non-destructive process. Using water for excavation is a growing trend that will continue to change the way that companies move earth materials. Hydro vacuum excavation is non-invasive and creates an easier way to re-distribute the moved debris.

Hydro Vacuum Excavation Industry Growth

Vac-Tron Equipment, The Industry Leader in Vacuum Excavators for over 20 years, has been manufacturing units in the United States and shipping hydro and air excavation units all over the world.  As the industry continues to grow, municipalities and large companies have been adding units to their fleets for utility locating, directional drilling, and many other safe excavation means.

Vac-Tron recently announced the first Hydro Truck Vacuum Excavator with PTO (power take off) that has been going around the U.S. on demonstrations for companies and governments.  See more details below.

A quote from a local resident seeing a vacuum excavator in action

“Blew me away seeing this in person.  The main feed to our neighborhoods transformer shorted.  After 20 minutes they located the short location. A hydro vac truck shows up, sucks a huge hole in our driveway, fixes the line, fills it back in and none the wiser like they weren’t even there other than the utility marks. They said even if the line needed replacing only three holes were needed.  We were thinking they would be tearing up our front lawn and the neighbors, but then after the entire repair was done it was minimally invasive.”

A rear action shot of the PTO - Hydro Truck Vac vacuum excavation
A rear action shot of the PTO

New Hydro Truck Vacs

The Ford or Freightliner chassis with a full line of the HTV (Hydro Truck Vac) series is available with 300-gallon to 800 –gallon size debris tanks. The PTO (power take off) of the truck drives Positive displacement vacuum blowers that produce 1,000 CFM. These units are standard with a high pressure water system, full hydraulic rear doors, reverse pressure, and the patented “Big Red” filter housing that cleans the dirty air down to 00.5 microns (best in the industry) before it passes back through the vacuum pump.

hydro vacuum excavation low profile series
The LP 873 SGT with the new strong arm for easier handling of the vacuum hose

Low Profile Hydro Vacuum Excavator

One of the most commonly used hydro vacuum units being used is the LP series manufactured by Vac-Tron.  The trailer mounted version of the LP series can easily be pulled behind a one-ton truck. The low profile units come equipped with a hydraulic rear door, which opens fully so operators can quickly empty the contents.

Schedule a Hydro Vacuum Excavator Demo

Call Vac-Tron at 1-800-822-8766 or fill out the online demo form to schedule a demonstration in your area and to learn more about how hydro vacuum excavation can help your projects.

Micro Trenching

micro trenching vacuum excavation
“The Vac-Tron LP 533 SGT is the ideal vacuum for micro trenching, the high cfm’s and low noise output made communication and productivity simple.” – David Donohue of Vermeer Mid Atlantic

Micro Trenching is one of the installation methods being utilized by contractors to bring fiber networks to consumers. Micro Trenching is an installation method in which a narrow and relatively shallow trench is cut, usually on an asphalt roadway. Trench dimensions can range from .75 to 2.24 inches wide and 8 to 16 inches deep.

micro trenching vacuum excavation 3
Once the conduit is laid, the trench is backfilled with a grout compound.
While cutting, a vacuum system connected to the cutter wheel cleanly diverts and transports debris away from the worksite. Once the conduit is laid, the trench is backfilled with a grout compound.

Advantages of Micro Trenching include minimal cutting width that boosts installation production and reduces costs of backfill, shallow depth placement which helps avoid encounters with existing utilities and jobsite cleanliness thanks to the vacuum spoil that removes debris.

David Donohue of Vermeer Mid Atlantic says “The Vac-Tron LP 533 SGT is the ideal vacuum for micro trenching, the high cfm’s and low noise output made communication and productivity simple.” David and Pfeiffer Enterprise Inc were demonstrating Vermeer’s micro trenching equipment and Vac-Tron’s LP SGT high cfm unit in Glen Bernie, MD in this photo.

micro trenching vacuum excavation 2