Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States, Vacuworx is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The company is a world leader in vacuum lifting for field applications.

The Vacuworx lifting system is a self-contained pipe lifter that attaches to an excavator. It is remotely controlled by the equipment operator from the safety of the excavator, eliminating the need for any additional ground crew. Ground personnel are no longer needed to sling or put chains on the pipe, nor are workers needed to control the pipe on each end with guide lines.

The operator places the Vacuworx system on the pipe, presses a button, and has immediate control of the pipe. The operator can then move and position the pipe, release it and move on to the next piece of pipe. Companies have reported that using the Vacuworx system is seven to twelve times faster than traditional pipe-handling methods. In addition, pipe-handling is achieved this with less personnel.

Traditional pipe-handling methods, such as chains, slings and hooks, can cause damage to most types of pipe coating. This damage costs the contractor a great deal of time and money to repair the coating. Using the Vacuworx system can avoid these costly repairs. The only thing coming into contact with the pipe with a Vacuworx system is a rubber pad seal that suctions onto the pipe. This causes no damage to the coating allowing the contractor to avoid costly repairs and associated downtime on the project.

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Vacuworx Director of Sales and Marketing Shawn Lowman says that the demand for Vacuworx products has grown worldwide due to the efficiency and safety it affords the contractor.

“We will be opening a Vacuworx facility in Australia the fourth quarter of 2009,” he says.

Vacuworx has lifters available for immediate shipment from 3–20 tonne capacity and beyond. The company offers diesel, electric, gas, or hydraulic powered models. Whether lifting steel, concrete, ductile, or plastic pipe, Vacuworx has the appropriate lifting pad available for the job.