Hydroexcavation Q & A

Q: How long has Vac-Con been making the X-Cavator™?

A: Vac-Con has been building hydroexcavators since 1994.

 

Q: How long have contractors in Canada been primarily using hydroexcavators?

A: Canadian contractors began using hydroexcavators in the early 1960’s (about 50 years ago).

 

Q: What percentage of Canadians use hydroexcavation over other digging methods?

A: 80% of Canadian Industrial contractors and about 50% of Canadian General Contractors use hydroexcavation in one form or another.

 

Q: What percentage of Americans use hydroexcavation over other digging methods?

A: Not enough, but about 10% of American contractors use hydroexcavators, the vast majority being in the petroleum industries.

 

Q: Why is hydroexcavation so much safer than other digging methods?

A: Hydro Excavation is a non-mechanical, non-destructive way of safely exposing buried utilities.  The process allows workers to stay on the surface (out of the excavation), thus eliminating accidental line damage or trench cave-ins.  Additionally, the risk/cost factor over a long period of time generally supports hydroexcavation over hand digging or mechanical means.

 

Q: What makes the Vac-Con X-Cavator™ so much better?
A: 1) Built to suit applications

• The X-Cavator™ is capable of operating in virtually all excavation applications based on versatility through available features

2) Innovative industry leading features

• Such as the choice of front or rear-mounted boom, PowerFlex Boom, Hi-Dump, Positive Displacement or Centrifugal Compressor, and a broad list of additional options give the X-Cavator™ unmatched versatility.

3) Service

• A worldwide network of factory trained dealers gives the depth of service necessary in today’s fast-moving business environment.

 

Q: How effective is the hydroexcavation package on the combination machine compared to the X-Cavator™?

A: The hydro-excavation package is just as effective as an X-Cavator™.  However, there are laws that prohibit cross-contamination of sanitary sewer and excavated soils therefore an X-Cavator™ would be beneficial.

 

Q: What is the difference between the front-mounted and rear-mounted boom?

A: The retracted length of the front-mounted boom is 190“ from the rotational pivot to the center of the 8” opening on the elbow.  It also has a 120” (10’) telescopic boom section.  Added together you have 310” or 25.83’ from the center of the truck or 21.83’ from the side of the truck.  The front-mounted boom allows for 270⁰ rotation.  The rear-mounted boom has a 315⁰ rotation and fully extended, reaches about 28.5’ from the center of the rotational pivot to the rear and 24.5’ from the side.

 

Q: What is the storage capacity of the Vac-Con X-Cavator™?

A:

• storage box behind the cab (16” x 42” x 96”)
• single axle units – driver’s side storage cabinet (51” x 24” x 24”)
• tandem axle units – driver’s side storage cabinet (51” x 44” x 24”)
• tandem axle units – storage box behind cab (16” x 42” x 48”)

Q: What is the water system capacity of the X-Cavator™?

A: up to 1,300 gallons

 

Q: What is the boiler output?

A: 410,000 BTU & 1,200,000 BTU

 

Q: What type of vacuum systems are available?

A: Fan or Positive Displacement blower

Q: What is the water system output?

A: GPM – 10 +       PSI – 3000+

 

Q: What types of digging tools are available?  (nozzles, wands, mats, etc.)

A: Vac-Con offers a wide variety of tools for any digging application.

 

Q: What cab and chassis options are available?

A: Vac-Con is capable of producing the X-Cavator™ on any commercially available chassis but maintains an inventor of Freightliner Pull Chassis up to 450 horsepower for faster delivery.

 

 

Contributors:

Tom Jody, Marketing Director

Mike Selby, National Service Manager

Mike Pellechia, Hydroexcavator Product Manager