Vacuum excavation has many advantages over the traditional method of manual excavation. Not only is it quicker and safer, but it is also less harmful to the environment and the workforce, making it the best solution for all your excavation needs. Vacuum excavation reduces the impact of building development, reduces energy consumption, and is so precise that it can be used to gently extract earth from around tree roots without causing any damage.
What is a Suction Excavator?
A suction excavator is a cleverly designed machine that uses the power of suction to safely and quickly remove earth and ground materials. The suction tube draws the material up and into the holding tank within the excavator. Vacuum excavators come in different sizes, for different projects. Smaller excavators are used in restricted or built-up areas that can be hard to access, whilst there are tracked versions that are used in locations that are inaccessible for wheeled vehicles.
Advantages of Suction Excavators
There are many advantages of using vacuum excavation over conventional manual excavation. From increased safety, and a reduced environmental impact to cheaper costs, it is easy to see why more and more people are choosing to use vacuum excavation.
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Precision Excavation
Vacuum excavation is very precise. For example, a skilled operator can excavate earth from around tree roots without damaging the roots or tree. This allows work to be carried out around tree roots, or even move large trees with substantial root formations. This same precision is important in heavily built-up areas, where there are many structures close by which could be affected by earth movement. Using vacuum excavation compared to traditional digging open excavation reduces the amount of earth that needs to be removed.
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Increased Site Safety
Cable strikes are a major risk during excavation, and can be lethal. Vacuum excavation can remove earth from around utilities and cables without damaging them, significantly reducing the associated risk. Another benefit of using the vacuum method is that it reduces the amount of dust produced during excavation. With more traditional forms of excavation, workers are at risk from increased dust in the air, which can have long-lasting health implications. When using a vacuum excavator the dust is sucked inside the excavator helping to maintain healthy air quality. To prevent air contamination, the vacuum uses a 42-filter system that ensures no dust will escape.
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Increased Efficiency
A vacuum excavator can clear a large area of ground in a short space of time. Manual excavation is notoriously slow, but an excavator will quickly and efficiently remove large quantities of earth and other extraction materials. This efficiency is reflected in the reduced cost per cubic metre.
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Environmentally Friendly
A vacuum excavator can carefully remove earth and debris from a certain area, this means that less material can be removed than with open excavation, and earth can be removed from under the topsoil without needing to disturb flora and fauna on the top layer. Vacuum excavators can also be used with very long hoses, up to 150 metres, so that vehicles can be parked at a distance from the excavation site which in turn can protect local habitats and environments. The vacuum can be used around waste and sewage pipes without running the risk of damaging the pipes and causing sewage to spill into the ground, and local water network, helping to prevent water pollution. The reduction of dust during extraction also benefits the environment.
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Cost-effectiveness
The comparative cost of vacuum excavation services when compared to manual excavation is impressive. To clear a cubic metre using the suction method costs £44, whereas using manual extraction costs £75. This is a significantly cheaper way to carry out excavations, and this cost saving only increases with the scale of the project. Vacuum excavation has so many benefits including the cost factor, that it really is the best choice for your next project.
Applications of Suction Excavation
There are many locations where a suction excavator is the best choice. For example, clearing blocked pipework on a beach using a tracked excavator, helps to prevent environmental issues. Suction excavators are often used in building projects, from commercial developments to affordable housing sites. Working with utilities, such as during road alterations that revealed utilities that were not marked on site plans, many industries benefit from suction excavators such as Rail, Refineries, Airports, Highways, Civil Engineering, Sub Stations, Utilities, Gas, Specialist Material/Unique Projects, and Removal of Wood Bark & Coconut Fibres.
Enjoy the Benefits of Vacuum Excavation Today!
There are many scenarios where the best excavator solutions are to use suction excavation over manual excavation work. The reduced environmental impact, reduced pollution, reduced cost, and increased efficiency, are just some benefits of vacuum excavation. No matter the size or scale of your project, here at Pier UK, we have the best excavator for your project. Whatever you need our experienced and professional team are ready to work with you. We have teams operating across the UK. To discuss your excavation project please contact our friendly and helpful team on 01925 228674.