The HTV 573 PTO-driven hydrovac truck from Vac-Tron Equipment provides contractors with a midsized option.

“There are guys out there that we’re finding who are buying bigger trucks only because they haven’t really had another option, whereas now they can buy a midrange truck that is PTO-driven,” says Brian Showley, vice president of sales at Vac-Tron.

“This series fits a niche, where you don’t need that big truck, or you can’t afford it, but you can do the same types of jobs at a smaller scale,” he says. “It’s more maneuverable, and it can get into spots where the big trucks can’t. It’s better for city streets and downtown areas — those areas are very congested.”

The PTO-driven systems are available on Ford or Freightliner chassis. Debris tank options range from 300 gallons up to 1,500 gallons. The truck’s PTO drives positive displacement vacuum blowers that produce 1,000 to 3,000 cfm.

The truck can be used in industrial vacuum applications as well as for air and hydroexcavation. The truck can be fitted with a smaller hose reel and jetter pump for cleaning out laterals, lift stations and sewage.

Standard equipment includes a high-pressure water system, full hydraulic rear door and reverse pressure. The unit also features Vac-Tron’s Big Red filter housing that cleans air down to 0.5 microns before it passes through the air pump. Air compressors and 4- to 6-inch hydraulic booms are available on most units. 888/822-8766; www.vactron.com.