Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/32232
74 • JUNE 2011 • WORLD FENCE NEWS High-tech fence site continued from page 72 Therefore, the Hohulin crew would need to locate an efficient machine that could make quick work of the excava- tion and be easy to operate for person- nel new to the machine. “This was a fast-track job,” said Schmidt. “It’s quite a bit simpler for us to work with our own crew than to sub it out. The project couldn’t afford for us to wait 30 days for a specialty ex- cavation team to get it on their sched- ule. We also saw this as a great opportunity to expand our expertise.” Having experience with Vermeer, Schmidt decided to shop the local dealer for a vacuum excavator. He set- tled on the McLaughlin V500 500-gal- lon spoil tank vacuum excavation system. Blasting water at 3,000 psi, the V500 provided enough power to dis- place the soil, yet the right level of pressure to protect any sensitive lines that may have snuck past detection by the locating crew. Designed for one-man operation, the V500 system’s simplicity appealed to Schmidt, who says his regular crew was up-to-speed and comfortable op- erating the vacuum excavator after an hour of equipment and safety training. “That’s the beauty of this excava- tor; anybody can run it,” he said. The 35-h.p. machine’s three-stage filtration process allows for wet or dry excavation. Dual hydraulic cylinders are used to lift and empty spoil, while a full open door makes dumping a fairly quick process. One hurdle facing the crew was the compacted ground of the lay-down site. Because it had been used as a stor- age area housing heavy material, con- struction equipment and trailers for some time, the earth where the fence posts needed to be installed was sig- nificantly packed. Whereas a skid steer and auger could have drilled a hole in this type of ground in two minutes or less, the vacuum excavation took up to 15 min- utes per hole. Schmidt said he believes the Ver- meer will be a valuable addition to the Hohulin fleet in years to come due largely to the fact that most construc- tion sites today present similar chal- lenges. “These days, there are so many underground utilities – the whole world’s running on fiber optic,” said Schmidt. “Vacuum excavation is ab- solutely going to become the norm, rather than the exception.” Hohulin Fence is located at 116 S. Harrison Street in Goodfield, Illinois. Phone 800-322-1402; fax 309-965- 2857. For more information on McLaughlin Boring Systems, contact the company at 2006 Perimeter Road, Greenville, S.C. Phone 800-435-9340 or visit www.mightymole.com. The author of this article, Kelly Moore, is a technical writer based in Des Moines, Iowa. She can be reached at kelly@kellymooreconsulting.com. • The Original Ultra Reliable and Secure Hydraulic Slide Gate Operator • Fully Enclosed Hydraulic Motors • Few Moving Parts Linear AE-1000 Telephone Entry System Full Featured Primary Access Control For Apartments, Condos, Dormitories, Office Buildings and Gated Communities The abo lin tured using the mac V500 v ve photo sho acuum e Fence cre Chad Fier Belo Sc s, hmidt. w right is compan w and f xcah member w s Ry o s the McLaugh- a Pic- vine are Hohulin y ator in use . reman Mark an Finle y president Jim T and nner . W e Carr y The Following Brands Gatekeeper 800-378-Gate (4283) • 423-332-5808 • www shipping to most of the Eastern United States. s, Inc. is centrall y located near Chattanooga, Call for a Fr ee Catalog Or der T s ship within 24 hour nn., with 1 to 2 da e ys s. .gatekeepers.net