In hydroexcavation work, sometimes applying heat is just better. When a crew is cutting through dense clay soil or working in a cold climate with frozen ground, hydroexcavating with hot water can be a big time-saver. To be effective, though, the truck needs to be equipped with a durable water heater.
The CAB420FLS-12V hydrovac water heater from John Brooks Company Limited (Dynablast) produces 420,000 Btu with an output temperature of 175 degrees F at 5 gpm, making it ideal for colder climates and improved digging in clay-filled areas. It is designed to fit most municipal-size hydrovac trucks with its 24-by-24-inch footprint and 485-pound weight.
According to John Thomson, business development manager, the unit is a solid fit for both new and refurbished trucks. “This heater is compact enough to fit on most hydro units on the market,” he says. “We supply it to a lot of truck manufacturers but sell many directly to consumers, too. It’s a fit for anyone who has an older hydroexcavator they want to refurbish for colder climates.”
It is ETL-certified, meaning it can be used in the build and heat transfer between Schedule 80 pipe and water. All models are factory tested for a plug-and-play install. It comes with two service access panels and two momentary override controls, which increase the serviceability resulting in less downtime. The unit is also efficient, which is the result, Thomson says, of the care taken in producing the 1/2-inch Schedule 80 heater coils.
“The way we turn our coils actually causes them to both heat up faster and hold heat longer,” he says. “Most heater manufacturers don’t turn their own coils. Our recipe works well because it was designed specifically for mobile applications.”
The unit’s protective cabinet is designed with a reversible door for a variety of truck configurations, and it is built out of 14-gauge steel with polyester, UV-protected, powder-coated paint with an aluminum discharge cap and stainless steel hardware. It has been on the market for nearly five years, and Thomson estimates that the company has put more than 500 units in the field in that time.
“The popularity is certainly growing, especially as you see more municipalities and contractors in northern climates turn to hydroexcavators for utility work,” he says. “It’s the best way to get the most bang for your buck when hydroexcavating in the cold.”
905/867-4642; www.dynablast.ca
