In 2018, PIER (UK) launched the UK’s first Tracked-Vac, a specially designed Vacuum Excavator that is ideal for rough and challenging terrain.

This unique suction excavator has assisted many of our customers with projects on off-road terrain. This unique piece of excavation equipment can reach areas that a standard wheeled excavator cannot, enabling our team to solve logistical problems for our customers with an economical, efficient and innovative solution.

The Making of the Tracked-Vac

Cross-country works are regularly carried out by utility companies. These works require the safety and precision of vacuum excavation, but they cannot be accessed from a road or hard standing suitable enough for a heavy vehicle. Pre-2018 the cost of hiring and installing bog mats and the additional time required to do so prevented large vacuum excavators reaching these sites economically.

In 2017, we took our ideas to our manufacturers, MTS, and collectively, we turned them into a unique design. The finalised idea was then moved into the workshop where our vision came to life. The Tracked Vac incorporated the fan design and suction hose from our 26-ton Dino 3 system. The system was then mounted onto an 8-metre-long undercarriage and powered with a 525-horsepower engine.

What are the key features of the Tracked-Vac?

Tracked vacuum excavation
 
Weight (tonnes) 20
Width (m) 2.55
Length (m) 7.7
Height (m) 3.2
Air Compressor 4.5m3/min, 8 bar
Capacity (m3) 4.5
Ideal For Off-road sites where standard wheeled vehicles could not reach
  • Safe and precise excavation
  • High manoeuvrability
  • All terrain ability
  • High performance suction power
  • Standard operating procedures
  • Large capacity container
  • Self-cleaning filter system
  • High capacity on board compressor
  • Long distance working
  • Deep excavation working

Which projects are suitable for the Tracked-Vac?

The Tracked-Vac has been specially designed for terrain surfaces such as grassy land and beaches and since its launch, it has completed a variety of projects for our customers, including:

  • An Environmental Agency project on a Cornwall beach – an emergency job took place to prevent flooding.
  • A muddy landscape in Stoke-on-Trent – our operators excavated the ground ready for the installation of HV cable connections at a new distribution centre.

You can see more of the Tracked Vac in action in the video below:

To hire the Tracked-Vac for your project, please complete this short form.

 

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