Ring-O-Matic
vacuum excavators

frequently asked questions

    • What is the Ring-O-Matic 850 VX Vacuum Excavator? The Ring-O-Matic 850 VX is a powerful and versatile vacuum excavator that is designed for demanding jobs. It is available in trailer-mounted, truck-mounted, and skid-mounted configurations, offering contractors a reliable and efficient machine with high spoils and water capacity.

    • What are its primary applications? This machine is an excellent hydro-excavation solution for a wide range of uses, including potholing to safely locate utilities, sewer jetting, construction site cleanup, and environmental cleanup. Its powerful vacuum is also ideal for cleaning up drilling fluids and mud.

    • What are the key performance specifications? The 850 VX offers a spoil capacity of 800 gallons and a class-leading water capacity of 500 gallons (2 x 250 gallons), allowing operators to stay on the job longer. It is powered by a Tier 4 industrial diesel engine and comes with a choice of blowers with a CFM of 600 or 1,000. Its water pump can deliver up to 4,000 PSI.

    • What is the VIPER Pothole Tool? The patented VIPER Pothole Tool is an exclusive feature that delivers unmatched performance and safety. It is a dielectric tool, providing a safe way to expose underground utilities and protecting the operator from electrical hazards on the job site.

    • Does the 850 VX have a reverse flow feature? Yes, reverse flow comes standard on the 850 VX. This feature allows operators to blow obstructions out of the vacuum hose and backflush the filters for quick and easy cleaning, reducing downtime.

    • How is the machine designed for durability? The 850 VX is built on a heavy-duty, 8-inch C-channel frame with a tandem axle and torsion suspension for reliability. The engine is housed in a fully enclosed and lockable compartment, protecting it from debris and the elements.

    • What features simplify operation and maintenance? The operator controls are located at the front curbside in a lockable cabinet for easy access. The vacuum pump blower is designed to be low-maintenance, and the water pump has an auto-unloader to reduce engine loading and wear. The unit also features an easy-to-use winterization system.

    • What is the Ring-O-Matic 550 Jet Vac? The Ring-O-Matic 550 Jet Vac is a powerful and reliable vacuum excavator that combines high-pressure water jetting with a powerful vacuum. It is a highly productive machine designed for contractors and municipalities.

    • What are its primary applications? This unit is an ideal hydro-excavation solution for a variety of tasks, including potholing to safely locate utilities, cleaning out storm drains and catch basins, and clearing clogged sewer lines up to 10 inches in diameter with an optional sewer jetter package.

    • How does the 550 Jet Vac reduce noise? The 550 Jet Vac is known as one of the quietest machines in the market. It reduces job site noise through a combination of design features, including less piping from the blower to the silencer, improved sound attenuation in the power pack, and a premium silencer positioned below the machine.

    • What are the key performance specifications? The machine has a spoils tank capacity of 550 gallons and a water capacity of 200 gallons. It is powered by a Tier 4 industrial diesel engine and can be equipped with a blower of either 600 CFM or 1,000 CFM. The water pump can produce up to 4,000 PSI of pressure.

    • Does it have a reverse flow feature? Yes, a reverse flow feature comes standard. This allows operators to blow obstructions out of the vacuum hose and backflush the filters for quick and easy cleaning.

    • How is the machine designed for durability and a long service life? The 550 Jet Vac is built on a heavy-duty, 6-inch C-channel frame with tandem axles and a low-profile design for stability and enhanced towing. It features dual splash-bearing blowers for increased performance and a more efficient closing system on the rear door.

    • What features simplify operation and maintenance? Operator controls are located at the front curbside in a weather-protected, lockable cabinet to prevent vandalism and damage from the elements. The control panel is integrated into the power pack, which reduces wiring and connectors, improving reliability and simplifying maintenance.

    • What is the Ring-O-Matic 350 VX Vacuum Excavator designed for? The Ring-O-Matic 350 VX is a versatile vacuum excavator that is compact, quick to set up, and easy to operate. It is an ideal hydro-excavation solution for small contractors, rental yards, and homeowners who need a powerful machine with a moderate amount of capacity.

    • Does this unit require a CDL to operate? The 350 VX can be easily pulled by a half-ton truck and is designed to not require a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), which makes it a flexible and cost-effective choice for a variety of users and crews.

    • What are the key performance specifications? The 350 VX has a spoil capacity of 350 gallons and a water capacity of 100 gallons. It is powered by a diesel engine and comes with a choice of blowers with a CFM of 600 or 1,000. Its water pump can deliver up to 4,000 PSI of pressure.

    • What are its primary applications? This machine is ideal for a variety of tasks, including potholing to safely expose underground utilities, construction site cleanup, and other soft digging applications. Its compact size allows it to be used in tight spaces that larger trucks cannot access.

    • Does it have a reverse flow feature? Yes, a reverse flow feature comes standard on the 350 VX. This allows operators to easily blow obstructions out of the vacuum hose and backflush the filters for quick and easy cleaning.

    • How is the machine designed for durability? The 350 VX is built on a heavy-duty, 4-inch C-channel frame and is available in trailer-mounted, truck-mounted, and skid-mounted configurations. Its robust construction and proven components ensure reliability and a long service life.

    What features simplify operation? The machine is quick to set up and easy to operate, with controls located at the front curbside in a lockable cabinet. The water pump has an auto-unloader to reduce engine loading and wear, and the unit is equipped with electric brakes with a break-away actuator for safety.

    • What is the Ring-O-Matic 850 VLX Vacuum Excavator? The Ring-O-Matic 850 VLX is a high-powered, gasoline vacuum excavator and part of the VLX Value Line. It is designed to provide contractors with a reliable and efficient machine that can handle big jobs with ease, without compromising on quality or performance.

    • What are its primary applications? This versatile machine is an ideal hydro-excavation solution for a wide range of uses, including potholing, cleaning up drilling fluids and mud, and general construction site cleanup. Its large capacity and high performance allow contractors to stay on the job longer.

    • What are the key performance specifications? The 850 VLX has a spoils tank capacity of 800 gallons and a class-leading water capacity of 500 gallons (2 x 250 gallons). It is powered by a 31 HP gasoline engine and comes with a 600 CFM blower. Its water pump can deliver up to 4,000 PSI of pressure.

    • What makes the VLX a "value line" excavator? The VLX Value Line is engineered to provide the same great performance as the flagship VX models but at a lower overall cost. The machines are designed for simplicity and ease of use while still providing a high-capacity and reliable vacuum excavation solution.

    • Does it have a reverse flow feature? Yes, a reverse flow feature comes standard on the 850 VLX. This allows operators to easily blow obstructions out of the vacuum hose and backflush the filters for quick and easy cleaning, reducing downtime.

    • How is the machine designed for durability? The 850 VLX is built with a heavy-duty frame, high-performance water pumps, and low-maintenance blowers. The overall design focuses on seamless functionality and easy maintenance to ensure a long service life.

    • What features simplify operation? The machine is quick to set up and easy to operate, making it suitable for operators of any skill level. It has a balanced tongue weight of less than 1,200 lbs, making it easier to tow with a standard truck.

    • What is the Ring-O-Matic 550 VLX Vacuum Excavator? The Ring-O-Matic 550 VLX is a powerful gasoline vacuum excavator and part of the VLX Value Line. It is a very effective machine with a large spoil tank and water tanks, offering contractors a reliable and efficient solution for a variety of cleanup tasks.

    • What are its primary applications? This versatile machine is an ideal hydro-excavation solution for a wide range of uses, including potholing, construction site cleanup, and cleaning up drilling fluids and mud. Its compact design also makes it highly maneuverable in tight spaces.

    • What are the key performance specifications? The 550 VLX has a spoil tank capacity of 550 gallons and a water capacity of 200 gallons (2 x 100 gallons). It is powered by a 31 HP gasoline engine and comes with a 600 CFM blower, ensuring powerful suction and performance.

    • What makes the VLX a "value line" excavator? The VLX Value Line is designed to provide the same reliable performance as the flagship VX models but at a more affordable price point. This makes it an attractive option for contractors who need a high-quality machine without the higher initial investment.

    • Does it have a reverse flow feature? Yes, a reverse flow feature comes standard on the 550 VLX. This allows operators to easily blow obstructions out of the vacuum hose and backflush the filters for quick and easy cleaning, reducing downtime.

    • How is the machine designed for durability? The 550 VLX is built on a heavy-duty frame with tandem axles and a low-profile design for stability and enhanced towing. The design focuses on seamless functionality and easy maintenance to ensure a long service life.

    • What features simplify operation? The machine is quick to set up and easy to operate, making it suitable for operators of any skill level. It has a balanced tongue weight, which makes it easier to tow with a standard truck, and features like a low center of gravity and a more efficient rear door closing system improve overall performance.

    • What is the Ring-O-Matic 350 VLX Vacuum Excavator? The Ring-O-Matic 350 VLX is a versatile and compact gasoline vacuum excavator and part of the VLX Value Line. It is designed for safe and efficient digging and is an excellent solution for contractors who need a moderate amount of capacity.

    • Does this unit require a CDL to operate? This machine is designed to be easily towed by a half-ton truck and does not require a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to operate. This provides significant flexibility in labor deployment and makes it a cost-effective choice for a variety of users.

    • What are the key performance specifications? The 350 VLX has a spoils tank capacity of 350 gallons and a water capacity of 100 gallons. It is powered by a 31 HP gasoline engine and comes with a 600 CFM blower to handle a variety of excavation tasks.

    • What makes the VLX a "value line" excavator? The VLX Value Line is engineered to provide the same reliable performance as the flagship VX models but at a lower overall cost. It is designed to be quick to set up and easy to operate, making it suitable for operators of any skill level.

    • What are its primary applications? This machine is ideal for a variety of tasks, including potholing, keyholing, and other soft-dig applications where a high-pressure water and powerful vacuum system are needed to safely locate and expose underground utilities.

    • How is the machine designed for durability? The 350 VLX is built on a heavy-duty, 4-inch C-channel frame and is available in trailer-mounted, truck-mounted, and skid-mounted configurations. Its robust construction and proven components ensure a long and reliable service life.

    • What features simplify operation? The machine has a balanced tongue weight and is equipped with electric brakes with a break-away actuator for safety. The controls are located in a protected, lockable cabinet for easy access and to prevent damage from the elements.

    • What is the VIPER Pothole Tool and what are its benefits? The patented VIPER Pothole Tool is an exclusive tool that provides the cleanest, safest, fastest, and easiest one-man potholing solution. It uses high-pressure water and a powerful vacuum to quickly and efficiently dig test holes with minimal mess and effort.

    • What safety features does the VIPER Pothole Tool have? The VIPER Pothole Tool comes in both standard and dielectric options. The dielectric version provides a non-conductive barrier, ensuring safe exposure of utilities and protecting the operator from electrical hazards.

    • How does the VIPER tool improve productivity? The tool's design allows for rapid potholing, making it possible to dig a 3-foot deep hole in as little as 30 seconds. This increases profitability and productivity for contractors, municipalities, and rental operations.

    • What other tooling and accessories are available? Ring-O-Matic also offers a range of other tools and accessories, including various sizes of suction tubes, water wands, hoses, nozzles, and replacement parts. These are designed to be durable and easy to use, ensuring a long and reliable service life for all of your vacuum excavation equipment.