Working double-time to break up compacted soil and inject liquid additives to the drainfield, the new-and-improved EarthBusterPLUS enables operators to go the extra distance rejuvenating failed septic systems – both figuratively and literally.
EarthBuster is best known as an alternative to septic system replacement, using pneumatic soil fracturing where a probe is inserted into a system’s adsorption soil, breaking up biomat and ensuring the drainfield returns to working order. Since some EarthBuster owners use liquid additives, EarthBusterPLUS technology now allows for direct injection at drainfield depth, translating to faster results and healthier soil.
“In the past, about the only way to apply the additive to septic was to put it into the toilet or tank or the distribution box, and then it had to slowly work its way out into the field,” says EarthBuster owner Ken Miller. “Now we can go to the depth of the drainfield area and break up that biomat at the same time, so we have instant rejuvenation of that field.”
The EarthBusterPLUS includes an 11-gallon injection tank, seated below the deep-soil decompactor tank, that can be filled with the service provider’s additive of choice which can, for example, stimulate microbial activity and water absorption as well as aid in nitrate removal. Compatible with skid-steers, tractors, excavators and walk-behind mini track loaders, most operations – including injection – are controlled from the driver’s seat. Liquid additive is applied automatically during air injection, but delivery is regulated or can be toggled off for fine-tuned control.
Probes come in 4-, 6-, 9- and 12-foot varieties, and a Depth Control Collar add-on is available for maximum control, ensuring the probe does not exceed the depth of the system or impact the water table. The company officially launched EarthBusterPLUS at the WWETT Show in February to positive acclaim among onsite professionals. Miller says EarthBuster providers, who tend to serve some combination of excavation, landscaping, and the onsite septic industry, are especially excited to diversify their services.
“That gives them the opportunity to put nutrients into the ground for trees, soil conditioners that are separate from the septic industry, so they’re seeing a lot more return on investment,” Miller says.
While new units can be purchased outright, existing service providers can save money by retrofitting the PLUS to their existing rig.
“It was an important part of our design to be able to do that, and I think our customers are going to be happy,” says Miller.
406-670-8318; www.earthbuster.com
