Vactor Launches HXX Prodigy Vacuum Excavator (1/31)
New Model Digs with Water or Air
HOUSTON (Jan. 30, 2007) — Today at the Underground Construction Technology show in Houston, Vactor Manufacturing introduced the HXX Prodigy, offspring of the Vactor HXX HydroExcavator, a machine that uses vacuum excavation methods to perform non-destructive digging.
The new HXX Prodigy is more compact than the full-sized HXX and is available at a price point the company expects will appeal to municipalities and contractors who are just getting started in vacuum excavation or ready to upgrade from a pull-behind unit to a truck.
Like the full-sized Vactor HXX, the Prodigy uses hydro-excavation, blasting away soil with jets of 10 to 20 gallons of water per minute, at rates from 1,500 to 2,500 psi, depending on the pump selection, pressure adjustment and nozzle tip configuration. The variable-pressure triplex pump allows the operator to adjust water pressure with the push of a button.
Optional Air System Adds Versatility
For applications where dry digging is preferred, the Prodigy also comes with an optional air excavation system, further adding to its versatility. Specifically designed for mobile applications, the unit features an above-deck compressor system that does not need a holding tank to build pressure. This eliminates the wait time some units require for pressure to build up.
"The Vactor HXX Prodigy features the performance characteristics customers expect from equipment that carries the Vactor name in a single-axle unit that is lighter and more compact than a full-sized truck and that provides greater fuel efficiency," said Deepesh Nayanar, product manager, Vactor Manufacturing.
"Excavation using pressurized water or air can be very precise, providing minimal ground disturbance and virtually eliminating the risk of damage to existing underground utility lines, compared to traditional excavation methods," Nayanar said. He explained that the Prodigy can be used for a variety of applications, including slot trenching, potholing, water valve box repair and locating of existing fiber optic lines, cables and other utilities.
Optional Water Heater for Excavating Frozen Ground
Both the Prodigy and the full-sized HXX facilitate digging in frozen ground, with optional on-board water heaters. The 400,000 BTU or 900,000 BTU water heaters available on the HXX Prodigy allow the operator to cut through frozen ground or heavy clay.
"This unit packs a lot of performance into a compact, maneuverable package," he added, noting that the 600-gallon water tank allows for 3.5 hours of continuous operation between refills. The standard tank is fabricated from strong, lightweight, composite material for lower fuel costs and higher payload limits.
The Vactor HXX Prodigy is available with a choice of either fan or positive-displacement systems. According to Nayanar, some customers prefer fan air conveyance because it moves a large amount of air and excavates more rapidly than PD systems. "It can also be more forgiving for less-experienced operators," he said. On the other hand, customers who are excavating over longer distances and at greater depths may prefer positive displacement.
Choice of Fan or Positive Displacement
"Both systems feature ultra-efficient airflow, a Vactor trademark." Nayanar said. The simplified airflow path maximizes pickup and filtration effectiveness while minimizing the amount of material that passes through the fan or blower, which in turn reduces the likelihood of premature wear or extensive repairs.
The Prodigy can be equipped with a telescoping boom with 320-degree rotation and a total reach of 16.5 feet to provide greater reach, while still excavating to the same depths. The optional boom is controlled from the same centrally located panel that regulates and monitors all functions, including air and water pressures, engine rpm, fan speed and lights. It can also be controlled by the pendant remote or the optional wireless remote.
Customers who require a greater payload capacity can choose the larger 8-cubic-yard tank mounted on a tandem axle chassis.
Vactor Manufacturing, located in Streator, Ill., has been providing products for sewer cleaning, line jetting, and glycol recovery throughout the world for more than 30 years. Effective vacuum-excavation combines the same high-pressure water, air and vacuum technologies used in other Vactor products.
Vactor Manufacturing is a subsidiary of Federal Signal Corporation's (NYSE:FSS) Environmental Products Group, which also includes Elgin Sweeper, Guzzler Manufacturing and Jetstream. For more information, see your local Vactor dealer, call 800/627-3171, or visit www.vactor.com.