When one of our customers in Cornwall was in need of excavating an old culvert that had been lying dormant for many years, they required a quick solution to remove any built-up material. Throughout the years, ground material had been building up within the culvert (almost filling it completed) and with the contractors being unsure of the structure integrity, it was suggested that a Culvert Excavation was simply the best option.
Restricted Access
Contractors understood that gaining access to the remotely located culvert would be a challenge, but with the ability to run the extension pipework off the Vacuum Excavation unit, this provided the ideal solution.
But in order to meet this challenge, 35 metres of extension pipework was required in order to reach down to the culvert.
The Vacuum Excavation unit generates strong suction power which is used to pull material away without the need to manually dig. A remote-control operated boom provides precise positioning of air flow and an air lance supports the excavation by breaking up any residue.
Safety First
Initially, a 3-metre depth was cleared before the job began so that the contractors could thoroughly inspect the structure and ensure that all workers were safe before entering the culvert in preparation of the excavation.
This process continued: carefully excavating 3 metres at a time before downing the tools in order to inspect the structure further. The culvert measured 8 metres in length, 1.7 metres in both height and depth and was successfully excavated within 3 days.
With a built-in skip, the Vacuum Excavator can hold up to 8m3 and ensures that the ground can be cleared quickly each day.
Vacuum Excavation offers a faster, more cost-effective solution than manual hand digging. A standard Vacuum Excavation can remove 2m3of spoil per hour, while an inbuilt skip can hold up to 10m3 before it needs to be emptied. In short, one Vacuum Excavation vehicle will complete a job in the fraction of time in which it would take a team of labourers or a digger.
Another beneficial aspect of Vacuum Excavation is that it is a significant time saver.
If you would like to enquire about any of our systems or hire our team for work, please get in touch with a member of our team who will be happy to answer any questions.
