Vermeer introduces new water kit option for vacuum excavators

Vermeer expands the capabilities of its popular CS GT vacuum excavators with an optional water kit, the company announced on Dec. 14. Now horizontal directional drilling (HDD) crews and light-duty vac operators can soft dig (pothole) utilities, as well as power wash equipment and hard surfaces with this economic vac system. The optional water kit for the Vermeer CS GT comes with a 100-gal (378.5-l) freshwater tank and a pump capable of delivering 2,500 psi (172.37 bar) at a flow rate of 3.5 gpm (13.2 l/min). The water kit is factory installed and available on all new CS GT models. “A strong fiber market and the need to pothole underground utilities has many contractors adding vacuum excavators to their fleets,” Jake Jeffords, director at Vermeer MV Solutions, said. “The CS GT is a popular model for HDD crews as an economical solution for slurry management and disposal. Now they can do even more with this unit. The optional water kit makes the CS GT a great machine for performing light potholing work for HDD contractors. But other contractors will benefit from the water kit, too.” There are two models of the CS GT. The Vermeer CS870 GT vacuum excavator comes with an 800-gal (3,028.3-l) spoil tank, while the Vermeer CS1270 GT vacuum excavator comes with a 1,200-gal (4,542.5-l) tank. Each model in the CS GT series features a 580 CFM (985 m 3 /hr) PD blower with a 3-in (7.62-cm) diameter hose for efficient operation. Each is powered by a 27-hp (20.1-kW) Kohler gas engine and built on a robust I-beam trailer. The Vermeer CS GT vacuum excavators also feature a rear hydraulic claw door with an over-center locking mechanism for no-fuss locking and unlocking while dumping spoils. There is also an optional reverse pressure control to assist with off-loading spoils and dislodging debris in the hose.