Vermeer has introduced the first model of its next generation trailer vacuum excavators, the Vermeer VX75. The 75-hp vacuum excavator is equipped with a 1,500-cfm (42.5-m3/min) vacuum blower capable of generating 15 in Hg (381 mm Hg) of suction force. It is available with a 5-in. (12.7-cm) hydraulic boom option for standard units and a 4-in. (10.2-cm) hydraulic boom option for air and jetter versions.
The VX75 is designed for challenging utility work, including potholing, horizontal directional drilling (HDD) slurry management and micro-trenching dust containment.
“The new VX75 vacuum excavator combines all of the best qualities of the prior McLaughlin and Vac-Tron product lines, as well as many more improvements to create a new generation of Vermeer vacuum excavators,” said T.J. Steele, product manager for Vermeer MV Solutions. “In addition to all of the performance-enhancing features that are sure to get contractors’ attention right away, we also designed this unit to be lightweight, incorporated a CAN bus control system throughout to simplify wiring and improve reliability, delivered operator-friendly controls, and provided more machine operating information.”
The VX75 vacuum excavator's control panel and full-function remote control allow operators to start and stop the machine and control various components from the boom to the water system and spoil tank. This remote-control feature is useful for contractors using the excavator for slurry management, as they no longer have to manually restart the unit when draining a pit.
Powered by a 74.3-hp (56-kW) Kubota diesel engine, the VX75 can be equipped with either a 500-gal (1893.7-l) spoil tank with two 125-gal (473-l) freshwater tanks or an 800-gal (3028-l) spoil tank with two 205-gal (776.5-l) freshwater tanks. It also has an 8-gpm (30.3-l/min), 3,000-psi (206.8 bar) water system, a dual cyclone filtration system and a full open cam over the spoil tank door.
The VX75 can be configured with a 180-cfm, 110-psi (5.1 m3/m, 7.58 bar) air compressor for dry digging and powering pneumatic tools, an 18-gpm at 2,000-psi (68.1 l/min at 138 bar) jetter for cleaning pipes and culverts up to 12 in. (30.2 cm) in diameter and an 8-gpm (30.3-l/min) auxiliary hydraulic system for powering tools such as core saws. Other optional accessories available on the VX75 include a strong arm, an arrow board, a 300,000-btu hot box and an external kerosene tank for the hot box.
