The Machine that Keeps On Giving: How Vacs Improve Rental Yard ROI

By Christopher Thompson, product marketing manager – vacuum excavation

Rental yard ROI is actually very simple – if your machine isn’t being used, it isn’t making you money. The key to financial success in the rental industry to invest in machines that won’t sit on your lot all day.

For that reason, vacuum excavators are quickly becoming a favorite for rental yard owners. Vacs are low-maintenance machines without complex upkeep needs. They are also extremely versatile, with the ability to take on HDD jobs, landscaping tasks, irrigation installation, construction cleanup and even tree care. With simple maintenance keeping the machine available and multiple jobs keeping the machines busy, vacs are primed for a high ROI.

Vac Maintenance

Vacs are designed to be low maintenance. In fact, Ditch Witch vacs are nearly maintenance free. Sure, there’s daily tasks, like dumping and cleaning the tanks, and regular maintenance like standard oil and filter changes. But that’s about it. There really aren’t any other maintenance needs for vacs.

Vacs are also very durable. Most machine maintenance that rental yard owners deal with are related to the ground-engaging parts of a machine. The only ground-engaging part of a vac is the end of a suction tube – and those are built to withstand the rigors of the job. 

Because vac maintenance needs are few and far between, vacs are rarely in the shop and are almost always available to be used and to make you money.

Vac Versatility

Vacs are some of the most versatile machines on the market. While they historically have been used to expose underground utilities on HDD sites; today, the flexibility and soft excavating-nature of vacs have led them to be used on many other jobsites and industries. Landscapers use vacs to expose utilities before trenching or to work in sensitive areas. Vacs are also ideal to use in tight areas where traditional compact equipment is unable to work.

And the uses of vacuum excavators are only growing. Need to clean out a manhole cover? Vac that. How about a sand bunker on a golf course? Vac that. Need a soft excavation option to install an irrigation line in a garden? Vac that.

With increased application comes increased potential users and more opportunity for your machine to make you money.

Learn More

Vacs are low-cost, low-maintenance, low-worry machines, with a high possibility for productivity. That’s a recipe for a high ROI machine. Contact your local dealer to learn more, and check out this Rental Bottom Line podcast, featuring my colleagues Chapman Hancock and Brant Kukuk, to hear more about how vacs can help increase your rental yard ROI.

https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?e=ACBMI2485870616&light=true ​

HYDRAULIC BREAKER
Used for construction and demolition, our breakers can be used to break up asphalt, concrete or even clay. The hydraulic hammer is perfect for any small or medium job you might have. More up-time in the field is always the goal, and with only two moving parts and a few seals, there’s no reason for down-time.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550

VACUUM LIFT
Handle 10 times the heavy loads such as steel road plates and concrete slabs with a vacuum lift attachment. The constant vacuum pressure eliminates the need for conventional methods that may damage materials and cuts man-hours in half, allowing operators more time to focus on the job.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550

BACKHOE
Easily move materials for rebuilds, new construction, footings, utility repairs and more with this compact and versatile attachment.
Compatible Models

SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550

STUMP GRINDERS
Featuring a heavy-duty boom design, powerful stump grinding attachments quickly shred stumps down to nothing. Easy maneuvering from stump to stump and increased visibility turns more ground stumps into more profit.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK3000

MULTITASK TOOL
Your multipurpose tool for the ultimate multi-tasker is here. Engineered to grab tight to heavy materials and move them with ease and precision, the multi-task tool is your go-to for heavy applications. Easy to operate with convenient, functional levers.
Compatible Models