McLaughlin has introduced a new large-capacity vacuum excavator ideally suited to the mid-sized horizontal directional drill (HDD) contractor. The MEGA VAC series features an optional 1200 cfm deep blower option with 23 inches of mercury, providing 50 percent more suction or lift capability than the industry standard 15-inch-mercury units. This results in a fast and powerful tool for potholing and quickly handling thick drill fluids from HDD rigs.
The MEGA VAC series excavators — tank capacities ranging from 1600 to 3000 gallons — have the ability to arrive on a jobsite, pothole for existing utilities and then remove drilling fluids from larger and longer bore projects. The larger-capacity spoil tank allows the contractor to stay on the job longer and reduce the need for time-consuming dumping.
“A crew with a 500-gallon vacuum excavator may need to dump one or two times a day and take anywhere from one to three hours to dump the spoil, depending on the location of the dumping site,” said Jeff Wage, vice president of sales and marketing for McLaughlin. “Large capacity vacuum excavators allow a crew to work all day and dump at the end of the work shift, potentially reducing downtime by 50 percent or more by going to a larger capacity tank.”
The MEGA VAC series can easily offload drilling fluid into a reclaimer using a pressure feature that pressurizes the tank and quickly forces the fluid out of the tank through the 6-inch gate valve on the rear of the unit. A 2600-gallon spoil tank can be offloaded in approximately eight minutes. In addition, a hose can also be connected to the rear discharge and be remotely offloaded.
McLaughlin offers MEGA VAC spoil tank capacities ranging from 1600 to 3000 gallons with the option of a 1025 or 1200 cfm blower at 15 or 23 inches of mercury to fit contractor needs. This deep blower option can be ordered with standard or with reverse flow for pressure offloading of materials. A 99-horsepower Kubota diesel power pack offers enhanced fuel economy and quiet operation.
