VACUUM systems: No longer just for use with HDDS, vacs are carving out new niches

摘要

Traditionally joined at the hip with horizontal directional drills, vacuum systems enjoyed 2004's stellar year of HDD sales. "We really don't see that slowing down," says Ed Savage, market segment manager for Vermeer. "A lot of it's going to fiber-to-the-home work. But other markets - water and sewer and general utility are also active this year:" When the HDD market took a dip in 2000 through late 2003, it gave vacuum systems a chance to shine on their own, says Kevin Smith, product manager for underground technology, Ditch Witch. "A lot of these units found alternative markets they could work in during that time," Smith says. "And although a big percentage of them go along with horizontal directional drills, there's a large number that stand alone and do other jobs."