What are Vacuum Trucks? Types, Uses, & Benefits

“What are vacuum trucks?” It’s a common question from businesses, property owners, municipalities who need to maintain clean towns and worksites. Vacuum trucks are specialized vehicles used to collect, store, and transport liquid and solid waste. If you’re not familiar with vacuum trucks, this article will explain their design, operation, and benefits.

 

How do Vacuum Trucks Work?

Vacuum trucks consist of a large storage tank, connected to a vacuum pump, mounted on the back of an industrial truck. When activated, the pump forces air out of the tank, reducing the pressure inside. Opening the primary and secondary shut off valves on the suction hoses forces the tank to equalize pressure by pulling in outside air. The action is powerful enough to suck up nearly all types of debris, slurries, and liquids. Once the job is finished, the truck is taken to a treatment plant and emptied, often by releasing a valve at the bottom of the tank or hooking it up to a separate pump system.

 

Types of Vacuum Trucks

Vacuum trucks can be divided into several categories. Which one you need depends on the nature of the job and the type of materials you’re handling.

• Hydro Excavation. Uses high-pressure water jets to loosen and liquify soil so it can be suctioned up. These machines are often used to dig up delicate structures that could be damaged by shovels or earthmovers.
• Dry Vacuum. Used to remove dry material such as dirt, sand, gravel, leaves, ashes, and paper scrap. To prevent debris from being blown out through the air pump, the tank is equipped with specialized filters to trap dust and powder.
• Liquid Waste. Uses a powerful pump to suction up sludge, sewage, and wastewater. Unlike dry vacuum trucks, the storage tanks on liquid waste trucks are specifically designed to resist corrosion.
• Combination Trucks. Capable of switching between dry and liquid waste. Many include a water jet as well, allowing them to flush out blockages and hose down residue before sucking it up. Because they’re built to handle different types of waste, they’re often the best choice for damp materials.

Before deciding which truck suits your needs, you’ll need to consider more than just the substances you’ll be working with. You’ll also need to assess the volume of material you need to move, the site conditions, as well as local regulations regarding waste management and environmental protection.

 

What are Vacuum Trucks Used For?

Vacuum trucks are a versatile solution with multiple applications across a wide range of industries. Some of the most common include:

• Sewer Line and Septic Tank Maintenance. Vacuum trucks break down layers of viscous waste, preventing sewer and septic systems from becoming clogged. Once the pipes have been emptied, they’re hosed down to remove any lingering residue.
• Underground Installation and Repair. Hydro excavation trucks rapidly clear away soil, providing quick and easy access to underground utilities. It also allows you to dig trenches with an even depth and width, in order to lay new pipes, or drill holes for street signs and telephone poles.
• Large Scale Excavation. When digging out a foundation or underground spaces, vacuum trucks can be used to assist in excavations in areas inaccessible to conventional equipment.
• Debris Removal. Construction projects typically generate a huge amount of debris and refuse. Industrial vacuum trucks clear this type of waste quickly. They can also be used for environmental cleanup, suctioning out storm drains and catch basins, for instance.
• Hazardous Waste Removal. Vacuum tanks are industrially sealed, making them the perfect way to capture, store, and transport sludge, toxic chemicals, and industrial runoff. Alarms, automatic shut-offs, and pressure relief valves ensure contaminated substances are safely contained until they can be delivered to a designated disposal site.

 

What Are Their Benefits?

Regardless of their application, vacuum trucks provide several benefits over traditional methods of excavation and industrial cleaning. They’re not only powerful enough to extract large volumes of material, they’re also:

• Non-Destructive. Vacuum pressure removes dirt and debris without affecting underground structures, such as water pipes, gas lines, and electrical cables.
• Cost Effective. Hiring a vacuum truck lets you complete projects with less manpower and equipment than you would with conventional methods.
• Efficient. Earthmoving equipment requires a great deal of time and labor, especially when working around delicate infrastructure. Vacuum trucks break up and remove soil in a fraction of the time.
• Precise. Vacuum excavation allows you to access buried structures by digging up small sections of ground rather than whole trenches. Besides reducing backfill, it also minimizes disruptions to the surrounding landscape, limiting environmental impact.
• Versatile. Because they’re small, self-contained, and maneuverable, vacuum trucks can operate in areas inaccessible to regular excavation equipment. In addition, flexible vacuum and water hoses let them clean and clear places otherwise difficult to reach.

Above all, choosing a vacuum truck is the easiest way to comply with EPA regulations regarding hazardous and non-hazardous materials. Because it removes waste so efficiently, it minimizes your exposure to dangerous substances and prevents contamination from spreading.

 

Illini Vacuum Truck Services

A critical asset to any site dealing with sludge, debris, and contamination – Illini vacuum trucks deliver unparalleled convenience and service. They operate quickly, targeting waste before it can seep outside the spill site. Available for both routine and emergency cleanups, our vacuum trucks have the power and capacity to handle any project. Make sure the job’s done right. Contact Illini Environmental today!