What are hydro excavation trucks used for? Safety, precision, efficiency, eco-friendliness and bottom-line benefits, to name a few. These are the major advantages reaped by digging projects that utilize hydrovac trucks and qualified teams. 

With decades of combined experience in hydrovac services, Merut understands the value of vacuum excavators as technologically advanced and powerful pieces of equipment. We’ve seen firsthand how hydrovac has significantly transformed the industry and is quickly becoming the preferred method of digging. 

We also recognize that for any company aiming to provide hydrovac services at an elevated standard of quality and safety, it’s essential to maintain a fleet of trucks that meet various excavation needs. To perform each and every job in the safest, most effective way, the team must be equipped with hydrovac trucks specifically engineered to be safe, productive and durable.

To that end, we are continually optimizing our fleet, systematically replacing older hydrovac trucks with new additions. The hydrovac truck market comprises a variety of truck models, each one featuring different specifications—from overall size to air and water pressure, suction and capacity. Here, we’re introducing a few of our latest hydrovac trucks, all acquired to optimize digging and elevate our crew’s ability to carry out precise, professional excavation work in the utility and construction arena.

Rival T7

While larger trucks are more conducive to jobs involving long trenches or bulk excavation, smaller trucks are often utilized for: 

• Projects that require daylighting, a process of exposing underground utilities without the risk of causing damage to them
• Work located in a city or busy residential area, where there’s not typically a big, open space in which the crew can operate
• Excavation sites that are limited by overhead obstructions like high-voltage lines, which present a major safety hazard for the team

In 2021, Merut acquired a Western Star Rival T7 Hydrovac to accommodate these types of requirements and meet the growing need for a smaller vehicle. At a size of just over 30 feet in length and 11 feet at its highest point, the Rival T7 hydrovac truck enables excellent maneuverability and includes the following features:

• Cummins L9 engine with 370 Horsepower
• Robuschi 105 positive displacement blower with 2300 CFM
• Pratissoli 1750 water pump with pressure reaching up to 2500 psi
• 800-gallon water tank
• Workable temperature range from -30°F to 130°F
• Debris tank storage of 7 cubic yards
• Boom and turret with 340° rotation, 20′ extension and 20′ instant dig depth
• Single PTO switch that engages all back-end functions
• Wireless remote system to run the remainder of the unit 
• Vanair Package for Air Excavating and Air Tooling
• Optional Utilicor Coring System
• 360° Camera System
• Safety features including a grounding stud, ESD shutdown, retractable railing and D Rings atop the unit
• Alarms to ensure the boom is in the proper position prior to travel
• Tandem axle chassis with ability to scale properly full of debris in most soil densities
• Automatic Transmission

When it comes to our Rival trucks, their size is their greatest attribute. They have the smallest footprint, which is a major advantage for working in areas that present overhead or width issues. 

Rival T10

From utility projects to construction applications, hydro excavation makes for safer, quicker, more accurate and less environmentally destructive outcomes. With top-notch hydrovac trucks operated by specialized crews, there’s significantly reduced risk in all areas of the work. 

Merut’s 2022 Western Star Rival T10 is another fleet addition that exemplifies these standards. It is the next level up from the Rival T7, offering larger capacities, a larger blower and a larger boom. Because of the boom’s extended reach, the T10 is the best truck we have for using a remote hose in hard-to-reach areas. Its features include:

• Detroit diesel DD 16 engine with 500 horsepower
• Robuschi 125 positive displacement blower w/ 3800 CFM
• Pratissoli 1750 water pump with pressure reaching up to 3000 psi
• 1200-gallon water tank
• Workable temperature range from -30°F to 130°F
• Debris tank storage of 10 cubic yards
• Boom and turret with 340° rotation, 25′ extension and 20′ instant dig depth
• Optional Utilicor Coring System
• Remote control operation
• 360° camera system
• Safety features including a grounding stud, ESD shutdown, retractable railing and D Rings atop the unit
• Alarms to ensure the boom is in the proper position prior to travel
• Tandem chassis with two pusher axles and one tag
• Onboard Air Weigh Scale System
• Remote Diagnostics

It should also be noted that both of our Rival models (T7 and T10) have been designed to maximize weight capacities so as to legally and efficiently haul loads. Whereas other industrial trucks must either operate well over weight capacity while traveling to offload or do so with partial loads, our Rival trucks have been optimally sized to lawfully maximize payload without sacrificing productivity.

Tornado F4 Ecolite

Digging through rock requires a truck designed more specifically for this task. Our Kenworth and Peterbilt Tornado F4 Eco Lite trucks are highly equipped to tackle these types of jobs, striking the right balance between high performance and operating efficiency. The 6400 CFM positive displacement blowers give them more power and pressure than the Rival trucks. Features include:

• Pacaar MX-13D engine with 510 horsepower
• Robuschi 145 positive displacement blower with 6400 CFM
• Pratissoli KT28A water pump with pressure reaching up to 3000 psi
• 1600-gallon water tank
• Workable temperature range from -30°F to 130°F
• Debris tank storage of 12 cubic yards
• Boom and turret with 342° rotation, 27′ extension, 32° Angle, 26′ instant dig depth
• Remote control operation
• Light build for maximum legal weight limits
• Largest hauling vacuum truck model
• 360° camera system
• PowerHalt emergency shutdown

With this fleet line-up, Merut has an array of hydrovac equipment for applying to various applications and reaping maximum benefits with each project. We are dedicated to not only evolving our fleet based on emerging needs and technology, but also maintaining these trucks for optimal performance and utilizing a team of highly trained and experienced crew members to meet unique excavation needs, ensure safety and successfully complete quality projects.

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