Product feature: Vermeer Mega Vac VX200-1200
Palmerston North-based Civil Construction company Blackley Construction recently purchased a Vermeer Mega Vacuum Excavator from AB Equipment
According to the manufacturers, the Mega Vac VX200-1200 is the most powerful vacuum unit that Vermeer MV Solutions of America produce and is the first of its kind to be sold in New Zealand.
Blackley Construction was one of the first companies to introduce vacuum excavation technology into the Manawatu several years ago, says managing director, Kevin Blackley.
"Over this time, we have developed a specialist team of workers in vacuum excavation. We had a smaller model Vermeer but were looking for something that could provide more capacity, but unfortunately, there was nothing like it in New Zealand. There was one in Australia, however, and AB Equipment was only too happy to provide us with the opportunity to help us with acquiring one."
Going from a 100mm (four inches) to a 150mm (six inches) vacuum hose means that Blackley Construction can complete excavation in shorter time frames and can carry out a wider variety of excavations in varying ground types.
"In the Manawatu, there’s a lot of gravel, which means that the smaller hose was always getting blocked. There are no problems with the larger hose, though. Not only is it bigger but it also has three times the suction power," says Kevin.
The additional suction power provided by the 200hp John Deere engine is useful for pot holing power poles, for instance, which normally go down as far as two metres and can now be completed without losing suction.
According to Kevin, the Vermeer Mega Vac VX200-1200 is a good and simple unit. For instance, the three-stage cyclonic filtration allows for wet and dry vacuum excavation while prolonging filter life and keeping maintenance cost low.
Conversely, the cam-lock hydraulic rear door provides a 360-degree positive seal even under reverse pressure without additional dampening requirements.
The operators use a remote control that has all the machine functions at their fingertips and delivers vital machine information on its display screen as well as providing an emergency stop.
"The new machine has made us more cost-effective. We used to be able to do two loads per day with the old Vermeer Vac unit but now we can do up to five loads per day.
It’s so much faster, reliable, provides great value for money, and reduces the risk of potential damage to the environment," says Kevin.
Vermeer MV Solutions offer a wide range of vacuum excavation equipment, from 100 to 3000-gallon spoil tanks, 30–200hp power pack options, 575–3200CFM blower units, multiple boom options, and 75–150mm diameter vacuum hose.
All of this can be built to the individual operator’s specific requirements and is available New Zealand distributor, AB Equipment.
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Suction power is provided by the 200hp John Deere engine
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For more information, call Kevin on 06356 5557 or contact AB Equipment on 0800 30 30 90 for the location of your nearest AB Equipment branch throughout New Zealand.
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