Vacuum excavation vehicles are impressive pieces of equipment. Designed to excavate ground carefully and expose underground services, they offer a practical alternative to traditional mechanical excavation in a wide range of applications.
But their capabilities go beyond excavation alone. Vacuum excavation vehicles also feature a built-in storage chamber, allowing excavated material to be collected and transported within the vehicle itself. Often referred to as a built-in skip, this system helps keep excavation work organised by collecting spoil as the job progresses.
How Does the Built-in Skip Work?
During vacuum excavation, material is broken up using suitable excavation equipment and drawn into the vehicle’s storage chamber through a powerful suction system.
The excavated material is held securely within the chamber rather than being left in piles around the excavation area. Once the chamber needs to be emptied, the material can be discharged at a designated location on-site or taken away for appropriate disposal, depending on the job requirements and site arrangements.
This integrated system means the vehicle can both excavate the ground and collect the resulting material, helping to manage spoil throughout the process.
What Are the Benefits of a Built-in Skip?
The built-in skip is an important part of how a vacuum excavation vehicle operates. By collecting excavated material directly into the vehicle, it offers several practical benefits on site.
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A more organised work area: Collecting excavated material within the vehicle helps reduce the need for loose spoil to accumulate around the excavation.
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Efficient spoil management: Material can be collected as excavation progresses, making it easier to manage the waste or excavated ground generated by the work.
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A practical, integrated solution: The vehicle combines excavation and material collection in one system, supporting a more streamlined approach to site operations.
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Versatility across different jobs: Vacuum excavation can be used for a variety of applications, from exposing underground utilities and tree roots to selected clearance works, depending on site conditions and the equipment required.
As with any excavation method, the best approach will depend on the ground conditions, the nature of the work and the requirements of the site.
See the Built-in Skip in Action
This video shows the built-in skip on a Pier Citysucker vacuum excavation vehicle in action.
Although the footage is a snapshot of the equipment used at the time, it demonstrates one of the practical features that makes vacuum excavation vehicles useful on construction and infrastructure projects: the ability to collect excavated material within the vehicle itself.
Watch the video below to see how the built-in skip works.
Need Vacuum Excavation for Your Next Project?
At PIER (UK) LTD, we understand that every excavation project comes with its own requirements. From exposing underground services to working around tree roots and supporting specialist clearance operations, choosing the right equipment and approach is essential.
Our team works with customers to understand the job at hand and recommend a suitable vacuum excavation solution. Whether you’re planning work as part of a larger construction project or need specialist excavation support, we’re here to help.
Contact our team on 01925 228 674 or contact us to discuss your requirements.
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