Why a suction excavator is a worthwhile investment for your project

David Banks
Authored by David Banks
Posted: Tuesday, October 1, 2024 - 22:11

Forget about the traditional methods of manual excavation—now, there’s a safer and quicker alternative: suction excavation. Essentially, this process involves a machine known as a suction excavator, which uses a suction’s capacity to remove earth and ground materials safely and quickly. The material is drawn up by the suction tube and then into the excavator’s holding tank. Suction excavators are available in different sizes and can be utilised for various projects, whether in restricted or built-up areas that can be hard to access. 

Unlike traditional digging methods, suction excavation is less invasive and provides faster results. Furthermore, even where cables and pipes are found in heavy soils, this process is much more productive than manual excavation, allowing experts to schedule the work more efficiently. At the same time, utility companies can achieve quicker repairs as well as service and connection times. 

What are the applications of a suction excavator? 

A suction excavator can be used for many purposes, such as: 

  • Municipal work. Municipalities use suction excavators in different ways, such as maintaining underground sewer lines and removing roots, debris, and waste from storm drains. 
  • Cold weather digging. Hydro vacuum excavation is a method used in sub-zero-temperature projects where frozen ground excavation needs to be performed. To thaw the frozen ground, a jet of pressurised heated water is utilised, and the ground is then quickly excavated through the suction. 
  • Potholing. Potholing essentially means identifying the precise location of the underground utilities before the excavation is conducted. This is done by digging a series of small test holes. Suction excavation can be used for potholing even if you prefer to opt for conventional excavation methods for your project. 
  • Landscaping. A vacuum excavator can help you accomplish different tasks in a landscaping project, including mulch and rock removal, digging holes for fencing, and planting. It is particularly beneficial for carrying out excavation and removal tasks in tight spaces, such as backyards. 
  • Construction. Debris removal is an essential application of suction excavators at the construction sites. The machine used in the process can efficiently remove debris by simply sucking it into the storage tank and then disposing of it at the right location or emptied back at the job site. 
  • Utility work. One of the primary applications of a vacuum excavator is performing digging around utility pipelines and cables. Moreover, this machine can be used to dig up rail lines for removal or repair. 

What are the benefits of using a suction excavator? 

Using a suction excavator comes with plenty of advantages for your next project, and the good news is that it’s suitable for various projects of all sizes and across multiple locations. Here are a few of the benefits you will get when investing in this type of machine: 

  • Increased jobsite safety. The importance of job site safety cannot be overstated when it comes to excavation projects. Unfortunately, conventional excavation techniques risk hitting an underground utility because of unexpected obstructions and a lack of precision. The effects can be devastating, such as serious accidents like fire, particularly while working in locations with gas and petroleum pipelines. However, vacuum excavation comes with minimal risk, making it a better option when prioritising safety. 
  • Reduced damage to underground utilities. Perhaps one of the most significant advantages of vacuum excavation is that unlike conventional hand digging, it’s a non-invasive process. As high-pressure air or water is used to break the ground, this helps ensure that no moving part gets into contact with the underground pipes, cables, or sewer lines. As a result, the risk of damaging pre-existing underground utilities during the excavation process is minimal. 
  • Faster results. Since you no longer have to worry about damaging underground facilities, using a suction excavator allows you to focus on removing large earth amounts as quickly as possible. When dealing with tight spaces or underground facilities, vacuum excavation offers more precision than conventional excavation methods, making the process much faster. 
  • Lower restoration cost. Besides removing debris, a suction excavator also stores it, which helps reduce time, effort, and cost related to the restoration of the excavation site. This is a significant advantage over conventional excavation that needs the deployment of extra equipment and workforce, such as dump trucks and loaders, to remove debris and get the project site restored. 
  • Environmental benefits. Vacuum excavation provides environmental advantages in many ways. First, it ensures that fewer vehicles are needed on-site, which helps lower the carbon footprint, making it a suitable option for contractors who care about sustainability. Furthermore, suction excavation causes minimal damage to the environment, as it is non-destructive, and it eliminates the need for excavation tools that can harm the underground structures and utilities. 

Important considerations when looking for a vacuum excavator for hire

Choosing the right suction excavator isn’t the easiest task because there are a few important factors that you need to consider. First of all, it’s essential to look for a vacuum excavation specialist with the right expertise and experience to tackle your project. Check whether the company has a proven track record of offering high-quality suction excavation services because this will play a massive role in the success of your project. Another factor to consider is the type of vacuum excavation equipment you need, as different types of debris and soil will require different equipment, and you need to make the right decision. Saugbaggersales UK offers several reliable solutions for suction excavation, so we recommend taking a look at their suction excavators available for hire. Consider also the cost of the vacuum excavation service and the support level you will benefit from during the excavation process. Last but not least, sustainability and safety are also imperative when looking for a vacuum excavation service, so keep these factors in mind when deciding the best solution for your project. 

Takeaway

As you can see, a vacuum excavator is incredibly versatile, which makes it ideal for digging and cleaning tasks in different applications. With such a piece of equipment, you can tackle different soil types, ranging from rocky soil, clay, and even frozen earth. If you need a precise, safe, and effective method for excavation projects, a suction excavator is definitely the answer.