What is suction excavation?
Suction excavation is an advanced technique that uses a specially designed truck to expose underground infrastructure without causing damage to existing tree roots, cables, or pipelines.Suction excavation machines are widely used in civil engineering, road and water construction, as well as in cable and pipeline management, rail maintenance, environmental applications, precision work, and industrial operations.In short: suction excavation can be applied to a wide range of projects where precision and safety are essential.
This technique is, for example, used in locations with limited space and in high-risk areas where material must be removed safely.
The use of suction excavation technology minimises the risk of damage to underground infrastructure. Moreover, the suction excavation vehicles can be operated remotely, the suction hoses can be extended for hard-to-reach areas, and the vehicles can transport the excavated soil if required. This ensures an extremely precise and safe method of working, even in complex or high-risk environments.
Risks of mechanical excavation
When mechanically excavating near cables, pipelines, and tree roots, the risks are considerable. The use of a digging bucket can easily cause damage to underground infrastructure, such as cables and pipelines.
The cost of damage to a tree can quickly run into tens of thousands of euros.
Damage to cables and pipelines on industrial sites can also have significant economic consequences. Companies may lose internet connectivity or power, causing production to halt and resulting in substantial financial losses.
These costs accumulate rapidly throughout the entire supply chain, meaning the total damage can run into millions of euros.
The greatest risk, however, is personal injury.
Accidentally striking a power cable or gas line can result in explosions, burns, eye injuries, or even fatalities. For this reason, it is crucial to thoroughly assess the risks of excavation work beforehand and to select the appropriate technique for the specific situation.
Suction Excavation: Two Techniques
There are two main techniques for suction excavation: the fan-based suction truck and the vacuum truck.
Suction excavator
This technique works like a vacuum cleaner. The truck draws in air, which in turn lifts the soil. The system requires a continuous airflow to function properly. The hose cannot be pushed completely into the ground, as this reduces the suction power. This technique is particularly suitable for removing dry materials.
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Vacuum excavator
With this technique, the soil is removed using the vacuum principle, similar to the operation of a slurry tank.
The vacuum truck penetrates deeply into the ground and continues to suction, allowing both dry and wet materials to be removed effectively.
When is suction excavation not the best option?
We understand that suction excavation is not always necessary. For example, when digging a ditch where there is no risk of encountering cables, pipelines, or tree roots, using a suction truck adds little value. It is therefore important to always carefully evaluate the risks and choose the technique that is safest for the specific excavation work.