More commonly known for a prominent role in septic cleaning, vacuum trucks have evolved into much more than just machines that suction waste-water and keep plumbing working. Today these types of trucks have become extremely useful in other industrial jobs such as detailed excavation jobs, oilfield work, and even cleaning out industrial storage tanks. They are especially beneficial on certain construction or utilities job sites, offering numerous options for doing cleaner, faster work while increasing the safety of such work. Whether company owned or rented, having a vacuum truck on the job is an asset that should be considered.
Excavating
There are two types of excavation that can be done using a vacuum truck: vacuum and hydro. Hydro excavation is the process of using water pumped at high pressure to cut through soil, dirt, and even concrete under high pressure. Vacuum excavation is done in basically the same way, using air at high pressure instead of water. In both cases, pressurized air or water does the removal; the pumps are then reversed to vacuum excess water, mud, dirt and discarded material, leaving the work area cleaner than if dug by hand.
By switching from one function to the other until the necessary excavation has been done, a vacuum truck makes quick work of this type of digging. Some companies prefer to handle removal with water, finding that it keeps dust down and offers a nice, clean trench; others prefer to use air as it is a bit more environmentally friendly. Sometimes it is the type of soil or other job site specifics that dictate whether water or air is the best option. Either way, it is a process that is more efficient than using heavy digging equipment; it is also much safer because of the amount of control over the digging operation.
Delicate Digging Situations
One of the most popular uses of vacuum excavation is to locate utility lines, otherwise known as pot-holing, offering safety and damage control since digging for underground utilities with heavy-duty equipment can damage underground lines, wires, and pipes. When backhoes and other heavy diggers cut through electric lines, electrocution can be an unfortunate result. Hydro and air excavation gets around the dangers because the highly pressurized water and air can be intricately controlled to not cut through wires, cables or even pipes. There is also much more control over what is being done as the water or air stream can be easily guided, providing much more precise digging and less wasted energy than even hand digging with shovels.
This type of excavation is also useful for: pipeline trenching; digging various size holes to bury utility boxes and junctions; well digging; and sewer cleaning and clearing. It has been successfully used to clean out flooded basements that have filled with silt, turning a seemingly impossible job into something that can be done in hours. Vacuum excavation has even been used in rescue work because of its ability to dig carefully and closely without the risk of causing any additional injury or damage.
With the use of various nozzle attachments, it is possible to carefully guide an air or water stream where it needs to be; specialized air or water driven power tools such as saws can be operated in this fashion. This is particularly useful in situations where it is necessary to cut up or through tree roots.
It seems as though there are new uses for vacuum truck excavation every day, which is a great way to make valuable use of this technology. Companies that specialize in excavation work can buy a vacuum truck designed solely for this unique function with extra powerful pumps to make the work much easier. Despite all the other benefits that this type of digging does provide, it is having total control of the entire excavation operation that makes this type of operation invaluable!
Excavating
There are two types of excavation that can be done using a vacuum truck: vacuum and hydro. Hydro excavation is the process of using water pumped at high pressure to cut through soil, dirt, and even concrete under high pressure. Vacuum excavation is done in basically the same way, using air at high pressure instead of water. In both cases, pressurized air or water does the removal; the pumps are then reversed to vacuum excess water, mud, dirt and discarded material, leaving the work area cleaner than if dug by hand.
By switching from one function to the other until the necessary excavation has been done, a vacuum truck makes quick work of this type of digging. Some companies prefer to handle removal with water, finding that it keeps dust down and offers a nice, clean trench; others prefer to use air as it is a bit more environmentally friendly. Sometimes it is the type of soil or other job site specifics that dictate whether water or air is the best option. Either way, it is a process that is more efficient than using heavy digging equipment; it is also much safer because of the amount of control over the digging operation.
Delicate Digging Situations
One of the most popular uses of vacuum excavation is to locate utility lines, otherwise known as pot-holing, offering safety and damage control since digging for underground utilities with heavy-duty equipment can damage underground lines, wires, and pipes. When backhoes and other heavy diggers cut through electric lines, electrocution can be an unfortunate result. Hydro and air excavation gets around the dangers because the highly pressurized water and air can be intricately controlled to not cut through wires, cables or even pipes. There is also much more control over what is being done as the water or air stream can be easily guided, providing much more precise digging and less wasted energy than even hand digging with shovels.
This type of excavation is also useful for: pipeline trenching; digging various size holes to bury utility boxes and junctions; well digging; and sewer cleaning and clearing. It has been successfully used to clean out flooded basements that have filled with silt, turning a seemingly impossible job into something that can be done in hours. Vacuum excavation has even been used in rescue work because of its ability to dig carefully and closely without the risk of causing any additional injury or damage.
With the use of various nozzle attachments, it is possible to carefully guide an air or water stream where it needs to be; specialized air or water driven power tools such as saws can be operated in this fashion. This is particularly useful in situations where it is necessary to cut up or through tree roots.
It seems as though there are new uses for vacuum truck excavation every day, which is a great way to make valuable use of this technology. Companies that specialize in excavation work can buy a vacuum truck designed solely for this unique function with extra powerful pumps to make the work much easier. Despite all the other benefits that this type of digging does provide, it is having total control of the entire excavation operation that makes this type of operation invaluable!