HOW SUCTION EXCAVATION WORKS

W M Donald has partnered with RSP GmbH for the supply of its suction excavators – or ‘Saugbaggers’ as they are known in Germany. RSP has been manufacturing suction excavators since 1993.

The suction excavator featured on our home page and below is an RSP ESE32. The ESE32 is one of the largest models in the RSP range. It has a 10m3 storage capacity and its twin fan system means it is capable of suction distances up to 45m vertically and up to 120m horizontally: that’s a Dyson on steroids! The twin fans, powered by the 490hp Scania engine, generate 42,000m3/h of air; this translates to a speed of 120m/sec at the inlet of the suction hose.

The excavated material is separated from the air through a combination of air flow deceleration, diversion and density variation and drops into the storage tanks. The remaining airborne microscopic particles are removed through a large cartridge filter system. Once full, the storage compartment is tipped at a suitable location. W M Donald’s suction excavator is also equipped with high pressure air lances to break up compacted materials, and has a pump to remove dirty water from, for example, excavated trenches.

To find out how suction excavation works, watch the video opposite from 50 seconds through to 3 minutes 50 seconds.