For Contractors Only [ How Much You Should Charge ] Ditch Witch Vacuum Excavator Easy Safe Digging

We're going to do a video for the contractors out there and if you're a DIYer or if you're a sub of the channel and you enjoy just seeing what we're up to I will bring you along for the ride .
We'll be talking about using a vacuum excavator. When should you invest in one and then how much should you charge for future jobs that require the vacuum excavation?
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French Drain Man - Michigan’s Yard Water Drainage Experts. Masters in the art of constructing contained French drain systems & curtain drain systems that and fix your yard drainage problems for years to come. Over 30 years’ experience in solving yard water drainage problems in Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer, and St. Clair Counties.
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For Contractors Only Part 1 [ How Much You Should Charge for Vacuum Excavation ]

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Watch "*CONTRACTORS ONLY* How to Clean Out Vacuum Excavator. How Much Maintenance. What's Inside?" on KZbin kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKvWpJeFfZ2Aac0

[@Superphonic1337]

Worked on a ditchwitch for a Long time the rocks can be a pain, so just drill a hole in the end of the hose and put a bolt through the end to keep big rocks from being sucked down

[@mattyb8752]

Just rented one today and I must say absolutely GENIUS.

[@AutoHoax]

Smart idea

[@dougi1967]

Smart, good tip

[@jenn8921]

Outstanding input, and advice! Much respect to you and your squared-away crew.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Love this machine it's been a great addition. Remember contractors if it's a clear path to dig bid the job that way if it's not a clear path you have to charge for excavation practice required. Safe digging!!

[@chevybeaglenox2402]

Awesome machine

[@yueibm]

Very professional!

[@Ladawork]

Get a decent weight ball and roll it though the hose starting at the truck. Then you won't have to disconnect each one to find the rock.:) I love these machines. Thank you for such a great video.

[@best1yet]

cool concept

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

👍

[@pauldunne2344]

If you just added a cross hair made of metal on end of hose, it would ensure no blockage as only smaller rock would pass thru, the cross hair would not restrict the flow of water or slurry by very much. Greetings from Dublin, Ireland 👍☘☘☘☘☘☘

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Thank you for commenting and sharing

[@aaronb9058]

@@FRENCHDRAINMANwhat model ditch witch is that

[@jacoballen9393]

How reliable is this hydrovac as far as pump and motor and all that and did u do anything inside ur tank to keep from rusting badly we bedlined ours it only had rubber on the very bottom from factory now it's bedlinered everywhere in the tank

[@caliagent4141]

Just install a filter into lead in of the tube. It can be just one bar going across the diameter allowing rocks only half the size of the tube in. Maybe?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Yes

[@rickyvasquez3157]

nice machine! and video, how much power does the vacuum have. does that go by CFM or

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BVyusRT3qfGPooNnHpHaoJg&si=4GfBJ3ubjZJ1sSZ_

[@WilliamMcNett]

I'm attempting this in the crawl space without the use of water and the dust collector 🤠

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

All I can say to that is good luck. 🤞

[@dak009power]

Code depths are certainly followed at this location! lol

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Normally we are very shallow for installations like this video so it doesn't bother us in most cases. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIakZKqtbNBlbck

[@fireworksbill]

Can rigid pvc be used for sump pump discharge below grade? We are just seeing fiber to houses in neighborhoods here in Northern Indiana.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

You have to stick to your local building codes

[@brianpearl7504]

Can you hook up a jetter to this machine and jet out plugged laterals?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Never tried but I'm sure you could do that. It's pretty big and our jetter is much smaller and compact that we use.

[@jdblank815]

what psi is the pressure wash on these, is there a psi too powerful for utility lines that it may cut?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

2500 psi

[@weinsteinr]

What ground protection mats do you recommend?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.infojV2ufNERsYc?si=oI-PXzIk5fdbv0Vy

[@1lucasvan1]

how about the spoils? that seems to be the issue. out here, we have to get the spoils tested before disposing, and testing can take 2 weeks.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

I own a farm and we wash out at the farm where we need some fill.

[@firstratelawnservice]

where did you purchase the rubber mats from.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

bluegatorgroundprotection.com/

[@user-if6tj6dt6f]

Do you still have the vac ? Would like to know your thoughts on it and if you would stick to that model or go bigger.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Happy with the Vacuum Excavator. We don't need one all that often, so it's perfect for us. If I used one every day I would go bigger.

[@cameronempey8350]

What size blower is on that rig?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

www.ditchwitch.com/vacuum-excavation/trailer-vacs/hx30/?Vacs&hsa_acc=8874219080&hsa_cam=39124682&hsa_grp=52786086425&hsa_ad=503094049185&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=kwd-536615372&hsa_kw=hx30&hsa_mt=b&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA0PuuBhBsEiwAS7fsNZIa4E-HT709CvfgvBUtaoL9v76503Fm4REIz3gy4z1FHMq6M70hAhoCYrkQAvD_BwE

[@HPST205]

does the pressure washer ride on the trailer as well?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Yes it does kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKvWpJeFfZ2Aac0

[@eldub6495]

I operate a vac truck by myself at times but mainly with an offsider and I noticed you put the revs up before u engaged the water pump , personally I engage water first then up the revs ... jus sayin..

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Thank you We will start doing that.

[@eldub6495]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN I feel it's a little easier on the pressure switch when loading up to your desired psi. You know the click im talking about aha , have a good one mate ..

[@bobnelson1730]

Do you need to use water if you're sucking up dry sand?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

I'm not sure. We work in all clay.

[@brian2100]

Was this the smallest unit ditch witch makes

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

There are 2 sizes smaller. The FX20 is the smallest FX20-150 - Ditch Witch CEA www.ditchwitchcea.com.au/product/fx20-150/

[@somelineman1392]

Where could I get hose extension?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Ditch Witch

[@ulisesavila9326]

How do you backfill with one of these?

[@nickrandolph8418]

You don’t. Need a skid steer, dingo, etc.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BXXbPw3Vf7e86DbKj7qOnLn&si=uUXF60zeD2-ZY9gQ

[@bobnelson1730]

If you put a "screen" -- even just a bar or two -- at the end of the hose, wouldn't that stop a lot of rocks from entering the hose?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Someone needs to talk to Ditch Witch. It seem simple enough

[@ChevoMKY5.7]

It would suck the mud slow and you gone empty you water tank before you Finish

[@bobnelson1730]

@@ChevoMKY5.7 What if you were sucking up dry sand?

[@ChevoMKY5.7]

@@bobnelson1730 then you wouldn’t have the rock problem even if you only do sand you need water or you would mess up you vacuum

[@bobnelson1730]

@@ChevoMKY5.7 Thanks for the info!

[@rubenjacobo7657]

How much footage can you do in one tank

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

That all depends on how deep you are going.

[@jolietguy5925]

Did you ever hear of reverse flow?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Yes, we tried the reverse flow. Sometimes, the rock jam is so bad that we have to disassemble the suction line.

[@MyWorld-dv1ym]

How does the pipe not break?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

It's strong pipe 💪

[@legenderry25]

how do you refill those trenches or rather with what?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

We always have leftover dirt. Ever pipe you install underground Displaces area.

[@legenderry25]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN What if you only need to bury 2" pipes 18-20 inches? There isn't much displacement in that situation. That's kind of the reason I asked.

[@jwp1180]

​@legenderry25 good question, I've got a Jetter and I want to try this but I'm not sure what to put back in the trench while when we're done

[@chrisgraham2904]

In Canada water pipes have to be buried a minimum of 4 feet below grade to prevent freezing. That's a lot of fill coming out to be replaced by a 1 inch diameter water pipe.

[@tonynewsom9244]

Would your insurance not cover you if you hit the fiber cable or pipe ?

[@ryanhansen8312]

More so, are those wires "Waterproof" or weather proof? Because if you submerge them, you could compromise them. 100% saturation is not what they are intended to withstand.

[@bballguy162006]

Yes, I would imagine they are designed for that, seeing as they are within 2ft of the surface@@ryanhansen8312

[@chrisgraham2904]

@@ryanhansen8312 Any cabling approved for burial is approved for 100% saturation.

[@aaronb9058]

Who would want their insurance to cancel them or raise their rates ?

[@chrisgraham2904]

@@aaronb9058 True, and you'd probably have to pay the deductible of $1K or more.

[@grifith1184]

2:35 7.5 million🤣 (75x100,000)

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Thank you for commenting and contributing

[@ericbaker7615]

Ditch witch wants too much money for their stuff. I am making my own set up that works way better for less than 4000.00.. the machine doesn't look as fancy but when you see how much it saves it's beautiful ..

[@caliagent4141]

Nevermind. Sonic already called that out. 😅

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

👍

[@ethanproulx9967]

This machine is amazing? I guess buddy has never seen a badger truck

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

I do not need another vehicle to maintain and buy tabs for every year. I perfer a trailer unit.

[@bradkaberline5828]

That's hard to figure because you can't charge for dirt to be hauled back in for the fact is dirt they had in the yard and then charge the costumers for bringing dirt back in to fill a hole that wasn't there so that is tricky the having to buy fuel for the truck to haul dirt back in and over charge them for dirt that was there to fill a hole that was not abd charge them for dirt???? Insurance and bonding covers it but a good spotter and digger may take some time but doable and the dirt is still there and easy to ask if we need to haul some off the charge to fill a hole that was not there to begin with not to mention time down in Rocky soils with bigger rock getting suck in the hose ect just saying. Like building a good road is best just to tell the customer well have to haul the bad dirt out and bring some good rock back if not the road with pump and Crack and not last the are good machines but we did it before they was around with spotters and excavator operating but having to tell a costumer we charge extra for dirt is hard and if is Rocky they don't work then how you going to bill that say 500 to 1000 in dirt we had to bring back no big deal we got to charge ya for dumping the dirt thst was there then charge for bringing some back and filling it with water freeze broken hoses crscked hoses ect good but sometimes a pain in the ass sometimes you just have to use a spade and shovel no big deal you dont have to hit the gym that night

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Good luck in business. You have to charge for everything or you will be out of business in 3 years 💯

[@bradkaberline5828]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN good luck my ass because I'd tell you I'm not paying you a thousand dollars to fill a hole that was not there and tell my friends and family this company double dips and don't clean up their mess without overcharged and such you digg in my yard you best clean up your mess just saying or don't dig or vactron the company I worked for had a 1yr or 2yr deal we come back and fill holes and clean up if setting occurs and such and tell the neighbors we'll do the same for them if they hire us a bag of seed and stock pile of dirt don't cost shit and happy customers mean more work we had some extra dirt ask the customer you want a berm for a flower garden we got a skidloader here and we can make that happen no extra charge or haul it off tell the neighbors thanks and when we are done you'll never know we was here good business equal more business may not a billionaire but keeps steak in my employees mouth and feeds family's and the neighborhood like our work happy customers means better business even if it means building a flower garden no cost keeps me from having to load it on a truck word of mouth and good business means more business and not having to sell the machine we just bought because the neighbors hired use to do the work just saying man and the employees thst help keep the business going get good equipment and steak as well just saying and the people down the street hired us as well and their neighbors hired us so we don't have to sell the vactron and we can buy a new skidloader for the crew makes sense to me and the employees like working for us and the old skidloader and excavator is paid off so we can refurbished them and keep the people down the street happy and the new customers as well and we can buy a new excavator because we can't keep up with the work makes sense not to mention the skidloader and vactron and excavator and crews are lined up for work for the next 3 yrs and we have to hire work out to other contractors because we are so busy and the machines are paid off and I'm stressed the fuck out at this point and smoked some weed and got fired by my own wife wtf man or the company is mad at me for smoking weed wtf you can go to the drug store a.get any drug you need but don't smoke weed wtf man

[@andyl2221]

200 an hr 3 hr minimum. I like your numbers better

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Operating cost on top of maintenance and purchasing costs. Don't cheat yourself

[@cliffjohnson2273]

Why would not a business man not charage for every pice of equipment they use on a job. Most charge for a setup

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Yes

[@kcthehandyman3944]

I dont care who you are the, 80/20 rule is a bitch! 80% prep 20% actule work, and if your doing your job right custumors should only ever see that 20%. And that's why we all have job's.

[@brianpearl7504]

Doesn't look like anyone is wearing eye protection? If so that's a crazy liability.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Life as a contractor. Rule #1 if you expect to make a living as a contractor and pay your bills on time your primary focus is getting the job done as Efficiently as possible and repeat over and over. Good luck with your work in Safety glasses and sun screen. Peace ✌️

[@AutoHoax]

I always liked the big money working out at Intel when they were giving 70 hrs a month in OT on top of the 160 straight time hours. But the safety sally shit with the eye protection 100 %. They'd run a guy off for not wearing safety glasses for just 5 minutes. There is a place for safety glasses 100% , but most of the time, "Common Sense" is the best and only necessary PPE.

[@brianpearl7504]

@@AutoHoax There are many places you definitely don't need safety glasses. As someone who has used vactors for hydroexcavating for 20 years you'd be nuts not to wear them or not have your guys wear them. A fucked up eye is not going to save you any money, it's going to cost a fortune in lawsuits and litigation.

[@chrisgraham2904]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN What happened to "Safety First". A splash of slurry can damage an eye sufficiently to at the very minimum, to put your crew member off work for a few days and that screws the efficiency of your crew and your schedule. The loose of an eye is a whole other problem that will get you charged by whatever construction authorities exist in your area and a multi-million dollar law suit from the employee for your failing to protect him (unless your only hiring illegal immigrants).

[@prontoinc5830]

This is painful to watch. Do yourself a favor and buy 50' sections of 3'' hose. Stuff always gets stuck at the camlocks. Preferably male ends on both ends, with female-to-female couplers. And when stuff gets stuck at the camlocks, just flip the hose around...good luck! lol

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

We put a bolt through the end of the wand. It works great.

[@ZR1Terror]

You need like 5 guys to get it going? No thanks

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

It's a process. It's easier once you have more time with the machine.

[@AutoHoax]

Just cause he had 5 guys on the job doesn't mean that equipment needs five guys. Seems like 3 would be the necessary amount. He'll maybe just 2 even

[@pbdrls6901]

What about hydro excavating the whole job? Aren’t you filling the trench with pipe & rock anyway?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKvWpJeFfZ2Aac0si=w8NAS8Ig68mwCZMC

[@ndn2589]

Can you use for sewage water

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

😬😖

[@ndn2589]

Yes or no?​@@FRENCHDRAINMAN