Vactor Manufacturing has introduced a single engine fan platform solution for the Vactor 2100 Plus sewer cleaner. The result of the company’s continuing efforts to develop, test and validate new technology, the new model offering delivers improved simplicity, durability and performance to clean larger storm lines and keep debris out of the ecosystem and fresh water supplies.
“The single engine fan configuration for the Vactor 2100 Plus is yet another example of Vactor’s ongoing commitment to deliver innovative solutions to the world's environmental cleaning needs,” says Brett Hart, Product Manager at Vactor Manufacturing.
Single engine fan development
In 2011, Vactor Manufacturing — which has been building hydrostatic fan drive systems for the Vactor HXX Hydro-Excavator since 1999 — began developing a single engine fan platform using a closed-loop hydrostatic drive system to power the fan vacuum system for the 2100 Plus combination sewer cleaner. A year later, Vactor’s first concept unit was built and subsequently put through engineering validation testing, fan endurance testing and several months of customer field trials. The single engine fan concept unit was first displayed in August 2012 at the APWA Show in Anaheim, CA.
Equipped with a front operator control panel that features two selector switches for the fan drive — fan on/off and fan mode (low/medium/high) — the Vactor 2100 Plus single engine platform is simple to operate. Single engine fan hydrostatic drive components have been aggressively sized to maximize the life expectancy of the system. The fan drive system keeps the step-up transmission, resulting in a lower required hydraulic motor speed than competitive models.
“The single engine platform uses the same Vactor 2100 Plus centrifugal compressor for improved performance over older models,” Hart says. “A hydrostatic drive system provides constant torque, so the new platform delivers improved performance when compared to the auxiliary engine-driven system in the ‘working range’ of the fan.”
Power take-off system
The new configuration features a split-shaft transfer case in the main driveline, which is engaged when directed by the operator, resulting in the highest attainable efficiency. The transfer case is rated to 500 hp, allowing for long component life, a significant safety factor and scalability in the future.
Fan drive
The Vactor system on the single engine configuration uses the same 2:1 step-up transmission with splash lubricated support bearings. This allows the hydraulic motor to operate at half-speed, compared to the fan, which prolongs motor bearing life. The new configuration also eliminates the need to change the design to meet future emissions requirements.
Vactor is initially introducing the single engine platform for the single-stage fan vacuum system.
Designed for public utilities and professional contractors cleaning entire wastewater and sanitary systems, the Vactor 2100 Plus sewer cleaner includes many of the same features customers have come to expect from the Vactor 2100 Series sewer cleaners, including the easy-load, fast-dump debris body, Modul-Flex design system, multi-stage blower filtration system, and positive displacement vacuum and fan platforms.
