The water gets the credit, but the vacuum system does the heavy lifting. It determines how fast you finish the hole and whether the truck runs reliably all season.
Blower Advances
PD blowers remain the workhorse at 15 to 27 inches of mercury. The shift to tri-lobe rotor designs means less pulsation, lower noise around 85 dB, and reduced chassis vibration versus two-lobe units.
Centrifugal blowers lead for airflow at 5,000-plus CFM but drop off under restriction. Liquid ring pumps handle extremes at 28 to 29 inches of mercury. Combo systems pairing a PD blower with a liquid ring on one truck give crews flexibility between speed and depth.
Smarter Controls
Variable-speed drives let operators match vacuum to conditions — dial back on shallow potholes, ramp up for deep digs — saving 15 to 20 percent on fuel. Digital panels display real-time CFM, pressure, and blower temperature. Telematics lets fleet managers monitor blower hours, vibration, and performance remotely with predictive alerts.
Hose and Filtration
Lighter polymer hoses with anti-static and abrasion-resistant linings are replacing heavy rubber. Friction loss across 50 to 300 feet of hose remains the biggest variable in remote dig performance.
Filtration is the most neglected maintenance item — and it directly determines blower longevity. Cyclonic separation and multi-stage systems are standard on higher-spec units. Inspect every shift. A failed separator will take a blower with it.
What to Ask Your Vendor
- Request full performance curves, not just headline CFM at free air.
- Compare total cost of ownership — rebuilds, filtration, oil, and drive maintenance.
- Test remote dig claims with real depth, soil, and hose-length data.
- Confirm telematics will integrate with your fleet management system.
The operators who understand what is under the hood keep winning the best work.
