How many utility line crossings are buried under the route of that trench you need? There will be some you know about in advance, and some you may find as a surprise enroute, like the gas line, telephone cable, fiber optic line with hundreds of signals, or very old forgotten water main... still in use. Bodine Services hydro-excavation uses high-pressure water to dig a trench (or pothole for directional drilling). A large vacuum hose sucks up the spoil into the truck for removal, leaving a precise trench and no "backhoe fade" on the utility lines. The liability for cut lines and bad public relations resulting from backhoe "accidents" are reason enough to use Bodine Services hydro-excavation.
The Bodine Companies have always placed a priority on offering clients the latest in technology and innovation in the areas of industrial cleaning, municipal services and plant maintenance. One business segment that is experiencing rapid growth is Hydro and Pneumatic Excavation. This method of excavating trenches, digging holes and locating sub surface utilities, combines the cutting force of high pressure water or air, with the suction power of industrial vacuum trucks to remove the dislodged material. In situations where delicate, dangerous or unknown pipes, piping or utilities lie beneath the surface, Hydro and Pneumatic Excavation provide a safe and economical alternative to excavation with mechanical equipment such as back hoes, track hoes and trenchers.
One of Bodine's Hydro Excavation Trucks |
One look at the Grand Canyon shows the incredible cutting force of water over time. The Colorado River, over several million years, has cut the canyon walls to average depths of almost 5,000 feet over a 436-mile path. Although none of us has a project of this scope and magnitude, in many situations Hydro or Pneumatic Excavation offers the best overall value for accomplishing the task at hand. Many project sites such as pipeline compressor stations, electric utility plants, areas with buried fiber-optic cable, or limited access, require this method of excavation exclusively. The risk and possible ramifications of digging with traditional mechanical methods are simply too great to ignore.
The Hydro/Pneumatic Excavation Process
Air excavation is becoming commonly used in sensitive
"No Dig" areas! |
Bodine’s team of professionals is well equipped with the tools and knowledge to safely and professionally get the job done right. As is the case with every job Bodine does, a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is completed prior to beginning the work. In this process, the known and or potential hazards are identified and discussed with the entire crew. All team members sign the form to indicate they are aware of the potential hazards associated with the job and that everything possible that can be done to eliminate a workplace injury, incident or near-miss will be done. Likewise, at the conclusion of the shift, all sign to indicate another safe and successful workday has been completed.
After a thorough safety briefing, the crew sets up the job by staging the Hydro Excavation Truck and laying out the hose and necessary tools to perform the trenching operation. A typical crew consists of an operator and one laborer. Within a short time period, they are up and running, beginning the process of excavating a trench or boring holes. The rate of material removal is related to soil types and conditions. Large rocks or buried debris can obviously take longer to work through than sandy or loam type soils. Given typical Midwestern soil conditions, the two person crew can hydro excavate upwards of 150’ of 12” wide by 24” deep trench in a 10 hour day. The excavated material can be stockpiled on site for later use as backfill or can be transported to another location as specified by the client.
Applications for Hydro & Pneumatic Excavation
Excavating to uncover water line breaks, expose buried utility lines, open up trenches, set utility poles and pipe bollards and repair collapsed drainage tile are all proven applications for this exciting technology. Hydro excavation combines the power of high pressure water jets to break up the soil, while using an industrial vacuum loader to lift out the material, adding a degree of safety and reliability to challenging excavations.
Contact the Bodine Team to learn more about this process and the wide variety of solutions we have to offer.
Bodine Services' hydro-excavation services offer:
- cleaning of municipal and industrial drain and sewer lines of any size quickly and effectively using high velocity water jets and specialized tips;
- vacuuming of debris from manholes and sewer lines;
- video inspections of underground pipes and lines;
- specialized cutting tips to go easily through roots and blockages;
- removal of soil and rocks with high pressure jets while vacuuming the excavated material into the vacuum tank with hydro excavation;
- daylighting or potholing to locate sensitive underground utilities without damage;
- excavation of post holes and utility pole footings in hard-to-reach areas.
