Hi-Vac Improves a Favorite

Modifications to popular 7040 Series jetter make the unit more efficient.
Hi-Vac Improves a Favorite
Dean Peake, regional sales manager with Hi-Vac, points out some of the features on the O’Brien 7040-SC diesel-powered hydrojetter’s hydraulically actuated reel. The unit features variable-speed control on an easy-to-use control panel. (Photo by Craig Mandli)

Interested in Trucks?

Get Trucks articles, news and videos right in your inbox! Sign up now.

Trucks + Get Alerts

The Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport (WWETT) Show is a showcase for new innovations. While that means there are hundreds of new products on the show floor, innovative companies often use the show to display updated products as well. One of those — the O’Brien 7040-SC diesel-powered hydrojetter from Hi-Vac — garnered plenty of attention last year.  

The diesel-powered trailer jetter comes with plate-mounted 700-gallon-capacity polyethylene water tanks. A built-in tank sump system, which is new, is designed to keep sediment from settling on the bottom of the tanks.

“It’s definitely more convenient for the operator,” says Dave Sutter, aftermarket manager for Hi-Vac. “The user only needs a shop vac to keep the tanks clean. That’s going to appeal not only to municipalities, but also smaller plumbers and other drain and sewer cleaning contractors that maybe don’t have a lot of time to devote to cleaning the tanks every day. It can be a huge time-saver.”

The hydraulically actuated swinger reel has a variable-speed control and pivots 190 degrees, providing access to the manhole regardless of how the trailer is parked. While previous models came with a square cover cowling, the improved model features a round cover that encloses the air cleaner and exhaust system.  

“Overall, the unit weighs less and is easier to clean than the previous model,” Sutter says. “The changes cut between 350 and 500 pounds off the finished product, which is a pretty significant chunk.”

It is powered by a 65 hp Cummins diesel engine with Murphy safety gauges and variable electronic throttle control. The triplex pump from General Pump is rated to 40 gpm at 2,000 psi. The standard 400-foot, high-impact, thermoplastic sewer hose is easy to clean, maintains stiffness, and is abrasion-resistant. The tandem-axle trailer has a 6-foot channel frame and is rated to carry a full tank of water at highway speeds.

“We typically get a lot of questions and interest in this unit, and this show has been no different,” Sutter says. “We get a lot of people who look around at all the jetters at the show, and maybe give a call a few days later. We also have a lot of repeat customers who were looking forward to seeing the changes we made to this model.”

The portability of the diesel-powered system makes the O’Brien 7040-SC a versatile, do-anything choice. “It’s a great unit for cleaning grease traps as well, in addition to day-to-day sewer line cleaning,” he says.

Sutter says Hi-Vac chose to feature the 7040-SC at the 2015 WWETT Show simply because company leaders figured its versatility would appeal to the diverse crowd.
“That’s the great thing about this particular show: You could be talking to a municipal sewer director one minute, then to a large plumbing contractor with franchises all over,” he says. “We love talking to the smaller contractors as well, and there’s a place for this unit with them, too. That dynamic is what makes this the biggest show in this industry.” 800/638-1901; www.obrienmfg.com.



Discussion

Comments on this site are submitted by users and are not endorsed by nor do they reflect the views or opinions of COLE Publishing, Inc. Comments are moderated before being posted.