The Vacall division of Gradall Industries Inc., New Philadelphia, Ohio, provides superior jetting and vacuum solutions for everything from small, local maintenance — such as street sweeping — to large-scale cleanup efforts — such as the ones that progressed along the New Jersey shoreline in response to Hurricane Sandy.
Vacall officials wanted to upgrade the majority of their products to CANbus-based controls. However, they were unable to find an appropriate solution with their existing transmitters, so they implemented a product-wide replacement of wireless transmitters and receivers.
Vacall’s sweepers, catch basin and sewer cleaners, excavators, and vacuum loaders offer unique approaches to help contractors and municipalities save on repair costs and maintenance time. In the case of Hurricane Sandy cleanup, Vacall’s AllJetVac effectively cleared sewers of debris with a high-powered water jet, while an AllVac removed sand buildup from homes and businesses.
Wireless excavation control
The AllExcavate, a hydroexcavator that removes materials around water lines, sewer lines and other underground utilities, was one of Vacall’s products that benefited from the new radio remote control installation. It uses a Flex Pro handheld transmitter paired with an Enrange CAN-6 receiver — both manufactured by Magnetek, Menomonee Falls, Wis. — to manage the movements of a debris tank’s “high dump” function.
The AllExcavate’s 10-yd3 tank can be raised 76 in. above ground level and shifted 21-in. horizontally, past the end of the truck bumper and over the edge of the receiving container. Wireless controls allow for versatile functionality and safe, smooth tank movement. Improved dumping efficiency and a clearer view of the debris removal process saves time and enhances production, additionally reducing the risk of problematic spills.
Multiple benefits
With the Flex Pro and CAN-6, Vacall personnel can adjust machine operations through internal programming, thereby reducing reliance upon external operators for control parameter alterations. The 12-button Flex Pro features proportional control, which allows operators to move machines gradually to their intended targets easier, safer, and faster than with discrete control. Without proportional control, a larger “bellybox” transmitter would have been necessary, complicating operations and taking up extra space.
Both the Flex Pro and CAN-6 are compact and rugged enough to withstand harsh environments, making them ideal for potentially hazardous industrial or environmental cleanup sites. The addition of CAN-bus compatible wireless controls improves product performance, time of operation, and safety of operators during machine processes. Proportional control on the transmitters smoothed overall excavator, sweeper and vacuum movements, reducing the risk of problems during cleanup procedures.
Magnetek’s wireless control products eliminate the need for external vendors to make changes in control parameters. They also meet application specifications to reduce internal engineering, reduce time to market, and improve machine performance overall.
FOR MORE information on Magnetek’s custom-engineered wireless communication products, call (800) 288-8178 or visit www.magnetek.com. Find out more about Magnetek’s CAN-6 and other wireless controls at IFPE Booth 81147.
