New Technology/Installation Tools

It is important for onsite septic system installers to keep abreast of the latest industry trends and technologies. Here are products that have recently hit the market, including laser levels, excavation equipment, probes, pumps and sludge samplers, that will help installers stay on the cutting edge.
New Technology/Installation Tools
Sewage pump

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Laser Level

  Self-leveling laser

The GL622 dual-grade laser from Spectra Precision/Trimble is an automatic self-leveling laser featuring grade capability of plus or minus 25 percent. It includes an HL750 Laserometer that provides a digital readout of elevation and can be used at an operating diameter of up to 2,600 feet. Wireless communication between the HL750 and the lasers provide automatic grade matching, which allows measurement of unknown grade values between two points. Each system also includes the RC602 full-function radio remote control, which has a simple graphic display and remote functionality up to 330 feet away. They can survive a drop of up to 3 feet on concrete, and have an IP67 rating to protect against water and dust. 888/272-2433; www.spectra-productivity.com.

Excavation Equipment

  Excavator bucket

EDGE excavator buckets from CEAttachments are available for many brands and models of compact excavators, including heavy-duty buckets in sizes from 8 to 42 inches designed for digging tough clay with rock scattered through the soil. Also offered are ditching buckets designed for ditch construction and maintenance, light digging, grading and slope work in sizes from 24 to 72 inches. Tilting buckets are capable of tilting 45 degrees for grading in ditch cleaning or sloping work in sizes from 39 to 60 inches. Pavement removal buckets will lift and carry concrete slabs from sidewalks, parking lots or any construction site in 18- and 24-inch sizes. Cemetery buckets feature extra bucket rotation to dig straight vertical walls or flat bottoms in 30- and 36-inch sizes. 866/232-8224; www.ceattachments.com.

  Vacuum excavation system

The 49 hp FX50 vacuum excavator from Ditch Witch can be customized to a customer’s specifications, with choices of tank sizes, trailer configurations and options such as hydraulic booms, water heaters and hydraulic valve exercisers. It comes with a choice of four spoils tank sizes from 300 to 1,200 gallons, and four water tank sizes from 80 to 500 gallons. It can be configured with an optional reverse-flow feature that enables the operator to off-load fluid spoils from the vacuum tank. The tank door opens fully and locks hydraulically. 800/654-6481; www.ditchwitch.com.

  Heavy-duty excavator

The DX225LC-3 excavator from Doosan Infracore America Corporation features a 167 hp engine, paired with power modes that provide ideal performance and fast workgroup speeds for heavy-duty work. Its four work modes, including digging, breaker, shear and lifting, allow maximum efficiency and fuel economy. An electronic clutch fan reduces fuel consumption and noise levels, while providing cooling system improvements. 770/831-2200; www.doosanequipment.com.

  Construction-class excavator

The 9A construction-class excavator from Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas is available in operating weights ranging from 55,560 to 86,200 pounds, making it ideal for midsize excavating projects, road and utility work and demolition. In the production class category, 108,420- and 114,820-pound models are available. It can be used on projects where a massive amount of material needs to be moved, or for a deep trench project. 877/509-2254; www.hceamericas.com.

  Mini-excavator

TMX mini-excavators from Innovative Equipment feature a quick-hitch system that can be hooked behind a standard 1/2-ton pickup, van or light-duty tow vehicle. They eliminate tracks by utilizing zero-turn technology for access to tight locations and lawns. Weighing only 2,941 pounds, they feature an 8-foot digging depth and 6,600-pound digging force. The unit features a 7-foot-2-inch loading height with a swing radius of 140 degrees, allowing access next to walls and other obstructions. An auxiliary hydraulic tool circuit has the ability to power hydraulic tools including jackhammers, pumps and saws. 888/359-3002; www.iequipt.com.

  Compact excavator

The 50G excavator from John Deere features a 36 hp, 26.8 kW engine and a cab design that improves visibility and operator comfort. Its door design improves entry and visibility to the left-hand side of the machine. It also widens the opening for cab entry. In the operator station, a multifunction monitor provides a coolant temperature and fuel gauge, clock, two trip meters, regeneration inhibit, auto shutdown control and machine-hour guage. A third service door provides improved access to the cooling core. The cores were also positioned side-by-side rather than stacked inline for increased cooling performance. It features an oil-impregnated boom, and arm and bucket bushings. 800/503-3373; www.johndeere.com.

  Barrier lift excavator attachment

The Barrier Lift excavator attachment from KENCO features handles integrated on both sides so workers on the ground can guide the lifter into the desired position from either side of the wall. All models are designed to grip the top of the wall widths from 6 to 12 inches. The legs have a narrow profile for lowering the lifter into tighter spaces and allowing for closer stacking operations. Rotating pad angles automatically conform to the slope of tapered walls. A large elastomer pad area ensures a more secure grip, even in wet conditions. Lifting capacities are available from 9,000 to 40,000 pounds. 800/653-6069; www.kenco.com.

  Crawler excavator

The 48,500-pound, midsize SK210LC crawler excavator from Kobelco Construction Machinery USA has a 157 hp Tier IV Hino engine with three push-button operating modes: H for heavy, S for standard and ECO for reduced fuel consumption. It has a digging force of 28,880 pounds, dig depth of 22 feet and 1.05 cubic yard bucket. The ease-of-entry cab has large windows on all sides, double-slide seat, AM/FM radio, cup holder and storage tray. 281/888-8430; www.kobelco-usa.com.

  Short-swing compact excavator

The ECR58D short-swing compact excavator from Volvo Construction Equipment features automatic two-speed travel and hydraulic travel pedals. Featuring a narrow body design and centrally positioned boom, its rear swings within its track shoe, allowing operators to work extremely close to other objects without risk of collision. It has a reinforced, three-piece, high-tensile steel X-shaped frame undercarriage. It is availble with a mono-boom, several arm configurations and blade, and offers a variety of optional quick couplers. It is fitted with a four-cylinder engine that produces 50 hp, and features an exhaust-after-treatment system (EATS) for lower emissions and seamless operation. 828/650-2000; www.volvo.com.

Pump Control

  Pump control module

The Dial a Time control from See Water is designed to control pumps with ratings up to 16 full load amps. The compact, solid-state technology has no moving parts to become tangled, ensuring the proper evacuation of water. This is an ideal control for sump pump basins and any confined-space application that requires consistent liquid level control. With a limitless pumping range, it can be set to pump from seconds to hours. It has been tested for the frequent cycling of sump pumps, and has performed this action over 2 million cycles without failure. 888/733-9283; www.seewaterinc.com.

Probes

  Stiff hex rod probe

The Mighty Probe from T&T Tools features a 3/8-inch hex rod, which is approximately 20 percent stiffer than a round rod, or a 7/16-inch hex rod, approximately twice as stiff as the standard round rod. Stiffer hex rods bend less to make the probe easier to push into the ground, especially when probing at deeper depths. Lengths are available from 36 to 78 inches, in 6-inch increments. When the probe is combined with a slide adapter, an integrated mini slide-hammer probe is created, allowing the technician to pound through difficult spots. 800/521-6893; www.mightyprobe.com.

Pumps

  Sewage pump

The SW Series of sewer pumps from Ashland Pump includes the SW40 (4/10 hp), SW50 (1/2 hp), SW100 (1 hp), SW200 (2 hp), SW300 (3 hp) and the SW500 (5 hp). They perform at up to 64 feet of head and 550 gpm, and feature continuous-duty-rated PSC motors for lower amp draw. They are constructed of heavy-duty cast iron and also feature cast-iron impellers. They are available in automatic (wide angle float and diaphragm switch) and manual versions. 855/281-6830; www.ashlandpump.com.

  Grinder pump

The 2 hp grinder pump from Champion Pump provides up to 133 feet TDH and flows up to 42 gpm. It features a double seal configuration with a seal-failure alarm option that provides extra motor protection should the lower seal fail. The 230-volt, ball bearing, oil-filled motor has the option of providing the starting components in the pump, eliminating the need for control panels. The quick-disconnect sealed cord is available in up to 50-foot lengths, allowing the pump to be replaced without disturbing the wiring in the panel and conduit. The shredder and shredder ring are designed for a long cutting life. The pump is offered as a packaged system, complete with guide rails built to specification. A standard leg kit is provided for applications where a rail system is not required. 800/659-4491; www.championpump.com.

  Auto-prime trash pump

The 24GHTAP 24-inch high-trash auto-prime pump from Global Pump is designed to handle a wide range of liquids from water to sewage and sludge that can contain solids and other materials. The pump, which also includes 4- to 18-inch models, can achieve flows of 16,000 gpm and head of 238 feet. It can handle solids up to 4 inches in diameter. 866/366-7867; www.globalpump.com.

  Effluent pump

FL Series effluent pumps from Liberty Pumps include 1, 1.5 and 2 hp models. They feature maximum head capabilities of over 130 feet and flows to 130 gpm. They are designed for STEP systems, mound systems, liquid waste transfer and higher head dewatering applications. A dual-sized discharge features a 1 1/2-inch removable flange with a 2-inch threaded port for connection to either pipe size. They also feature a standard 25-foot quick-disconnect power cord and dual shaft seals. They are constructed from heavy cast iron with an epoxy powder-coat finish and stainless steel fasteners. 800/543-2550; www.libertypumps.com.

  Boxed pump package

Biotube ProPak units from Orenco Systems are complete, ready-to-install pump packages in a box. They are used for filtering and pumping effluent from single- or dual-compartment septic tanks to either gravity or pressurized discharge points, with no pump tank required. The filter cartridge filters up to two-thirds of solids, so that only liquid from the clear zone between the tank or basin’s scum and sludge layers is pumped, reducing biological loading and clogging of downstream components. The filter cartridge is easy to remove and clean without pulling the pump vault. The PF-series high-head effluent pump is field-serviceable and repairable, and pump controls are designed for the specific package. Multiple models are available. 800/348-9843; www.orenco.com.

  Vertical-discharge effluent pump

The PL-EF05WA vertical-discharge effluent pump from Polylok is a 1/2 hp, 115-volt, 2-inch NPT vertical discharge unit that has a maximum head of 51 feet and a maximum flow of 88 gpm. It is equipped with a vortex impeller capable of passing a 3/4-inch solid. It features a lower mechanical seal containing a ceramic stationary face with a spring-loaded rotating carbon face with BUNA-N elastomers and stainless steel metal parts. It contains a high-torque capacitor motor, and cast-iron housing with stainless steel fasteners. The shaft is ANSI 420 stainless steel supported by two heavy-duty single row ball bearings. It has a 20-foot power cable with an insulated jacket suitable for submersible service. The unit is also supplied with an integrated clip for the included piggyback mechanical float switch for automatic operation. 877/765-9565; www.polylok.com.

  High-head turbine pump

The Plus line of high-head turbine pumps from Quanics Inc. are available in 10, 20 and 30 gpm models, with head capacities of up to 250 feet. The 1/2 hp, 115-volt motors have minimum 24-hour dry run capability, and offer thermal overload protection. They are constructed of 300-grade stainless steel and engineered composite materials. The bottom intake design of the pump allows for greater drawdown and eliminates the need for flow inducer sleeves. 877/782-6427; www.quanics.net.

  Submersible sewage pump

ABS submersible sewage pumps from Sulzer Pumps/ABS USA feature a premium-efficiency IE3 motor. Benefits include greater energy savings, with a lower operating cost and reduced carbon footprint as a result; long-term reliability that reduces not only energy costs and maintenance, but also the risk of overflows and breakdowns; and quality rag handling with a Contrablock Plus impeller. They exceed existing and planned standards worldwide regarding legislation over equipment efficiency. 800/525-7790; www.sulzer.com.

  Pump priming system

The OVT (oilless vacuum technology) Series priming system from Thompson Pump & Manufacturing Co. allows for a basic pump to prime automatically with no oil lubrication, lower maintenance and higher air handling for faster priming. In addition, its noncontacting rotors eliminate internal wear, which increases longevity and provides no decrease in performance over time. 800/767-7310; www.thompsonpump.com.

  Wastewater pump

The V-Series wastewater pump from Weber Industries – Webtrol Pumps features a recessed cast-iron impeller, which reduces load on the bearing and prevents clogging, providing more pump life. The motors are air-filled and offer continuous-duty ratings. To protect the motor from water, it comes standard with potted epoxy cord seals, as well as double silicon carbide mechanical seals. For further safety, all single-phase motors come standard with overload protection. Constructed from stainless steel and cast iron, they are available from 1/2 up to 2 hp in 115V, 230V, single and three phase. 800/769-7867; www.webtrol.com.

Sludge Sampling Equipment

  Large-diameter sludge sampler

The TruCore from Sim/Tech Filter is a large-diameter sludge sampler designed for use in the thicker sludge common to septic tanks. It allows samples to be taken quickly without creating excessive turbulence because there are no restrictions caused by valves, stoppers or flaps. With an inside diameter of 1 3/8 inches, the capacity per foot is almost 10 ounces. The straight-through design also allows the sample to be quickly returned to the tank. The unit is made of a polycarbonate sampling tube (clearly marked every foot) and PVC fittings. It comes as a single-piece 8-foot unit, or as two 4-foot units that slip together. Custom sizes and configurations are available as well. An optional customizable extension kit is available for deeply buried tanks. 888/999-3290; www.simtechfilter.com.



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