What Are The Equipment Used For Vacuum Excavation?

We have come far away from traditional tools like axes, mattocks and hoes to highly advanced excavation trucks. Depending on the type and purpose of excavation, different types of equipment are used. For example, professionals opt for trenching when they have to install underground data lines, telephone lines, or sewer lines. Trenching is typically done with a chain excavator whereas suction excavators are used for vacuum excavation. With this background, let’s take a look at four most commonly used excavation equipment in the industry.

Suction Excavator

Vacuum excavation is the process of compressing an excavating test hole with a great deal of air to loosen the dirt. The debris is then collected with the help of a tank. Typically a suction excavator or a vacuum excavator is used to carry out this process. A suction excavator comprises of a wide pipe having a diameter of 1 foot. It has a very powerful suction with a speed of 100 metres per second. When this excavation equipment uses a water jet instead of a air vacuum, it is called a hydro-excavator and the process is termed as hydro excavation.

Chain Excavator

As mentioned above, a chain excavator is used for trenching. It is alternately also used for mining and dredging. A chain trench has a digging chain and an arm called a boom. The chain is very hard and consists of teeth. When the machine is used, the chain rotates around the boom with rapid force to break the ground. The angle of the boom can be adjusted to determine the depth of excavation.

Directional Drilling Equipment

Directional drilling is a trenchless method of installing underground pipes. The equipment used in horizontal-directional drilling depends on the outer diameter of the pipe, length of the run, ground conditions and the surroundings above ground. Directional drilling equipment is not considered an excavation equipment but it is used when there is an underground obstruction while doing an excavation.

Skid Steer Attachment

A skid steer attachment, also known as a skid loader, is a highly advanced tool that is used to attach a wide variety of labor-saving tools or attachments. Some of the attachment options for skid loaders are backhoe, hydraulic breaker, pallet forks, angle broom, sweeper, auger and wood chipper machine.

These were a few types of excavation equipment we use for various projects. If you require excavation services for your mining project, then get in touch with Sierra Hydrovac, one of the leading hydrovac services contractors in Edmonton.