How Suction Excavation Works
Suction excavator principles
commonly reffered to as: Vacuum Excavators, Vacuum Extraction Systems, Vacuum Excavation Systems, Vacuum Lorries, Vacuum Tankers, Vac Ex, Suc Ex, Vac Trucks, Suc Trucks and many other names...
Suction excavators are designed and manufactured using special suction fans that create the negative pressure and air flow to transport material. The suction fans are driven via an engine-driven power take off (PTO). The fans are capable of creating an airflow of up to 44,000m³/h, maximum vacuum of 55,000 Pa. This air flow enables the operator to suck all kinds of materials liquid or solid up to 250 mm in diameter through the air intake suction nozzle.
Once the road surface has been removed, the suction nozzle is moved into position by the telescopic arm which is controlled via radio-remote control. The suction nozzle will then suck out soil, gravel, crushed rock and water to expose buried pipes and cables. Air tooling can also be used to loosen the ground safely when and if required.
The excavated material is deposited directly into the main collection chamber on board the vehicle due to the drop in air pressure and circulation. The air is then deflected through the air outlet chambers (four stage separation process) to clean, dry and remove the finer particles. The fine filter system separates the finest dust from the airflow before the clean air travels through the fan assembly. The purified air then travels through a special air outlet silencer before returning to the atmosphere. The main collection chamber is then discharged, normally into low level skips for recycling.
