Landscape Construction
Clay : Again , hydro excavation is the more efficient option here , although it should be done with a boiler package .
Rock and sandstone : Always use hydro excavation with a boiler package to cut through these difficult conditions , and consider investing in larger water tanks to reduce trips . Also , make sure you ’ re familiar with local slurry-dumping regulations and your nearby water-refill options . Using a machine that has a higher horsepower and greater capabilities can also help you more easily excavate in tough , rocky conditions .
2 . Machine operation After you have the right machine , following best operating practices can help make sure you effectively and efficiently operate it , and reduce the risk of damaging it .
Before starting a job , make sure you ’ re using the proper nozzle configuration . For example , use a rotating nozzle , or oscillating nozzle , for hydro-excavation jobs . This nozzle delivers a circulating water stream that helps keep water moving and prevents excessive pressure from consistently hitting one area .
When excavating , start small and expand as needed . This can help make sure you only make a hole as big as what ’ s needed .
To avoid downtime , constantly move the nozzle around within the excavation area and keep the spray nozzle 8 inches from the ground or from the utility that ’ s being exposed . Holding the nozzle any closer , or directly applying the excavator to a specific area , could result in the nozzle becoming clogged or damage to an underground utility .
For pressure settings , keep hydro excavators below 2,800 psi and air excavators below 360 psi . If potholing , consult the utility owner . They may have their own requirements for using hydro or air excavation . For instance , some gas-line owners seeking to protect their lines recommend a maximum of 2,200 psi when using a hydro excavator to expose utilities .
3 . Maintenance A key benefit of vacuum excavators is that they are low maintenance – and in some cases nearly maintenance free .
The machines do have simple maintenance needs , such as standard oil and filter changes . But some vacuum excavators are intentionally designed to help reduce maintenance , such as by eliminating grease points , using liftoff power-pack doors to ease maintenance access and using filtration systems that minimize filter cleaning frequency . This helps ease burdens on your crew and keep your machines ready for the next job .
One important task you should do at the end of every day is dump and clean your machine ’ s debris tank and empty its freshwater tank . This can help prevent complications in a vacuum excavator that can impact its productivity .
Also , routinely check the machine ’ s cyclonic , debris and water filters for obstructions . In some cases , crews find they aren ’ t getting enough pressure from their vacuum excavator , and it ’ s because they have a clog in one of these filters .
Additionally , remember that proper machine usage can help prevent maintenance issues . When using an air excavator , for example , avoid putting the nozzle on the ground . This can lead to dirt getting into the nozzle , which can be difficult to clean out .
Also , never use the nozzle as a shovel . Putting the nozzle into the dirt can damage the wand and lead to costly downtime . If you ’ re struggling to excavate through hard ground conditions , use a hot water heater package to help break down the soil without applying additional water pressure . As a best practice , water temperature should stay below 150 degrees Fahrenheit .
Maximize your ROI With their high versatility and low maintenance , vacuum excavators can help you take on a wide range of landscaping jobs . And by following best practices , you can operate the machines more efficiently , increase your bottom line and ultimately take on more jobs .
Chris Thompson is a product manager at Ditch Witch with responsibility over the vacuum excavation product line . Thompson focuses on providing customers with innovative , customer-driven products and solutions with the goal of damage prevention and jobsite solutions . Before taking on the vacuum excavation product line , he covered the CUE and utility locator product lines . He holds a BA in Organizational Leadership from the University of Central Oklahoma and an MBA from Oklahoma Christian University .
www . OPEBusiness . com May 2023 OPE Business 31