FAQ

  • Massive airflow through the twin fan system (up to 42,000m3/hour or 24,720 cfm)
    • Typical Hydro truck may reach 2300 cfm
  • A massive 250mm diameter intake makes light work of materials
  • The unit has a large 6m3 capacity and is 100% excavated material (no water required which can exceed 50% of the volume excavated)
  • Dry material can be easily dumped onsite and reinstated following works
  • The unit is not required to leave site to dump slurry and/or collect water increasing excavating time
  • Reduced road time significantly decreases fuel costs and CO2 emissions
  • Our Scania G450 8×4 truck is Euro 5 compliant and one of the most efficient trucks in its class
  • 100% excavation efficiency as truck can remain onsite (no need for travelling to dump slurry and/or collect water)
  • Can handle solids up to 200mm
  • >50% more material per load versus hydro excavation (water isn’t taking up volume in the debris tank)
  • Up to 16 times more effective than Hydro or mechanical excavation 
  • No requirement for importing materials dumped offsite
  • Dumping permits and fees can be eliminated
  • Less invasive, increased precision and reduced restoration costs
  • All of these result in significant reductions in excavation time
  • Side by side trials undertaken between equivalent load capacity hydro and dry suction excavators in heavy clay and compacted ground show that dry suction is significantly quicker to complete the excavation
  • This doesn’t include the time and costs associated with a hydro unit completing the disposal of excavated slurry and/or importing of replacement materials
  • The unit is fitted with a number of pneumatic tools to assist with breaking very hard ground
  • No. The unit is fitted with a 3 part filter system so purified air is released from the silencer unit
  • The final stage of the onboard system (known as the baghouse) consists of 42 separate filtration units
  • The baghouse filters even have their own inbuilt self cleaning function for maximum efficiency
  • This process ensures that no dust is released from the vehicle during excavation works
  • The boom supports the 250mm vacuum hose
  • Equipped with hydraulic powered rotating head to assist breaking the ground (where required)
  • It can operate at two separate speeds for those critical areas
  • The boom is operated from the remote control unit
  • It has a 6 metre radius across 180 degrees of rotation
  • It has a maximum height of 7.4 metres
  • Access to both dry and lubricated air lines at the rear of the unit can allow the use of any pneumatic tool you can imagine
  • On top of our typical air excavating attachments, pneumatic jack hammers, concrete saws and spades are just a few examples
  • If you can run a hose to the site, this unit can get it done
  • Round a corner, along a culvert, down a stair well, onto a roof, into a tank – we have got you covered
    • The unit can pull material up to 150m
  • From what depth can the unit lift?
    • The unit can lift material up to 30m
  • Will the unit damage tree roots?
    • No. The vacuum lifts material away from the roots without needing to make physical contact
    • If addition assistance is required to move material around the roots, the air pressure utilised be pneumatic tools is approximately 4 times less than typical water pressure recommended by arborists (400psi)
    • The great news is that a typical hydro truck is most efficient with high pressure water (upwards of 3000 psi).Reducing it to 400psi significantly reduces their efficiency
    • SmartVac always operates at pressures well below this threshold and will not damage tree roots
    • When working around trees, SmartVac is the only solution for efficient and safe excavation
  • Absolutely. Removing the need to introduce water (a conductor) into an excavation significantly reduces the risk of electrocution from live conductors
  • The intake nozzle can be swapped out for an insulating material for added protection
  • A non-conductive air lance provides additional protection for the excavation team
  • Absolutely. Although not the preferred method for many reasons, the vehicle is fitted with a 1,100l water tank and a dedicated system that can provide 20L/min at 4000psi
  • The filter system is designed to handle wet and dry materials
  • The truck can be moved during works via the remote control
    • Don’t worry – the truck can see where it is going and will stop before any obstacle
    • The system operates off the hydraulic system and not the engine, so the truck won’t run away
  • This is very effective tool when excavating long trenches
  • No mud means no mess
  • Changes in soil conditions, third party disturbances and backfill types around buried services are clearly identifiable
  • Onboard weight monitoring system ensures the vehicle is not overloaded
  • Removes/reduces the need for entry into confined spaces
  • All works can be managed from the remote control