The tandem-axle VX30-300 vacuum excavator by McLaughlin provides a maneuverable option for valve box, small drain and culvert cleaning, as well as potholing and small hydroexcavating projects.  

“Having the 3-inch suction hose on the trailer vac is a lot easier for getting into tighter places and for handling by the operator than the 8- or 6-inch hose that’s on the larger truck vac,” says Jeff Wage, vice president for the McLaughlin Group. 

The trailer-mounted unit weighs only 9,999 pounds and does not require a CDL to transport. 

“Being portable, municipal employees are able to hook onto it with a fleet vehicle, and it’s not a large capital expense,” he says. “Sometimes smaller municipalities are not able to budget for a second sewer truck or large hydroexcavator truck, but they can get budgeted for a smaller trailer vac that can be used on some of the smaller jobs.”

Part of McLaughlin’s family of diesel-powered vacuum excavators, the VX30-300 has a 300-gallon spoils tank and 100-gallon water tank with 5.6 gpm (3,000 psi) pump. The unit has an in-tank washdown that delivers a high-pressure spray to help remove tough debris, and a three-stage cyclonic filtration system for wet and dry vacuum excavation and prolonged filter life. 

The vacuum excavator is powered by a 31 hp Yanmar Tier 4i diesel engine with lockable enclosure for reduced noise output (about 92 decibels). Options include reverse flow for pressure off-loading and a water heater for working in frozen ground and hard soil. 

“If you’re potholing and you get a stone or clog in your suction hose, you have the ability to create pressure in the tank and use a burst of air to dislodge anything that might be caught,” Wage says. “You also have the ability to recirculate the water in your freshwater tank from the heater. You can run the water pump and heat the water up, eliminating freezing between the shop and the job site.” 

Other options include the Strong Arm, a heavy-duty, tank-mounted attachment with 200-degree rotation that extends 6 feet and carries the weight of the hose, reducing operator fatigue. 

The cam-over locking system provides a 360-degree seal, even under reverse pressure, without additional clamping requirements. It also has a 50-degree dump angle and no in-tank parts for all-external maintenance. Controls are located curbside at the front control panel for operator safety.

“The high-dollar items on a trailer vac are the engine, the trailer chassis and the tank,” Wage says. “On the tank, what’s critical is not having anything that leaks or leaves debris on the road or in a residential area.” 800/435-9340; www.mclaughlinunderground.com.