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Trailer vs. Van-Pack Jetters: Which Is Best for Your Drainage Business?
Drainage contractors face the challenge of choosing the right equipment for clearing blockages and cleaning sewers efficiently. While van-pack jetters are a popular choice, trailer jetters offer unique advantages that may make them a smarter choice for some contractors. This article compares trailer jetters and van-pack jetters, highlighting their advantages, and exploring their features and performance.
Trailer Jetters vs Van-Pack Jetters
Van-pack jetters, such as Rioned’s CityJet, eCityJet, UrbanJet, and AquaJet, are mounted within a van, offering a compact and integrated solution. They are suitable for urban environments, where mobility and reduced noise levels are key. However, they come with limitations such as restricted water tank capacity and the need for a dedicated vehicle.
Trailer jetters, like Rioned’s FlexJet and MultiJet, are standalone units towed behind a vehicle. This flexibility means they can be paired with various vehicles, offering versatility and higher water capacities. They also excel in handling larger pipes and tougher jobs, making them ideal for a wider range of applications.
Key Advantages of Trailer Jetters
- Flexibility in Transport: Most vehicles can tow trailer jetters, allowing operators to switch between vehicles based on the job’s requirements. This reduces the need for a dedicated van and increases fleet versatility.
- Higher Water Capacity: Trailer jetters with larger water tanks can handle longer jobs without frequent refills. For example, the MultiJet has two integrated 400-litre tanks.
- Compact and Lightweight Design: Trailer jetters' streamlined design ensures they are easy to tow and manoeuvre, even in tight spaces. Their lightweight construction allows for better handling and lower fuel consumption of the towing vehicle.
- Cost-Effective Maintenance: Since trailer jetters are independent units, maintenance is limited to the jetter itself, without impacting a dedicated van.
Essential Features of Trailer Jetters
Rioned's range of modern trailer jetters include advanced features designed to improve efficiency and usability:
- High-Pressure Pumps: Deliver powerful water flow to clear blockages like FOGs (fats, oils, and grease) and tree roots.
- Hydraulic Hose Reels: Improve ease of operation with pivoting mechanisms and safety locks.
- Integrated Management Systems: Systems like Rioned’s eControl Touch provide real-time information on pressure, flow, and service alerts.
- Remote Controls: Devices like the RioMote allow operators to control the jetter from a distance, increasing safety and convenience.
- Stable and Noise-Reduced Design: Enclosed motor compartments with noise-damping materials ensure quiet operation, ideal for urban or residential work.
Braked vs Unbraked Trailer Jetters
Trailer jetters are available in two types: braked and unbraked.
- Unbraked Models: Unbraked trailers, like the standard FlexJet, are lightweight and comply with regulations for a maximum towing weight of 750 kg. They include a secondary coupling, to ensure the trailer stays connected to the towing vehicle in case of detachment. This makes them easy to tow without requiring additional braking systems.
- Braked Models: Braked trailers, such as the FlexJet+, feature overrun brakes that apply the handbrake automatically if the trailer becomes detached, ensuring it comes to a safe stop. This system is similar to a car’s handbrake. Additionally, any trailer with a total kerb weight of 751 kg or more must be braked to comply with safety standards. These models are capable of towing heavier loads, and the FlexJet+ includes a 550-litre interconnected water tank, weighing over 430 kg, to handle demanding jobs efficiently.
Unique Design and Stability
The innovative design and low centre of gravity of models like the MultiJet ensure excellent driving characteristics and road stability. The pivoting hose reel remains within the machine body, minimising obstructions and reducing the risk of accidents. Additionally, strategically placed lights guarantee maximum visibility and safety.
Storage and Protective Covers
Rioned trailer jetters are designed with durability and convenience in mind. Each unit comes equipped with a high-quality protective cover to shield the jetting machine from road debris, salt, and contaminants commonly encountered during drain and sewer cleaning. Additionally, all models feature a secure toolbox and lockable storage compartments, providing safe and organised spaces for your tools and accessories.
How Trailer Jetters Deliver Performance & Efficiency
Trailer jetters provide superior performance by offering high-pressure and high-flow combinations, suitable for cleaning pipes up to 450 mm in diameter. Their advanced features, such as pulsator systems, enhance hose manoeuvrability and reduce water usage by up to 30%. With lightweight high-pressure hoses, pressure loss is minimised, ensuring effective cleaning at the nozzle.
The FlexJet and MultiJet models also include aerodynamic designs to reduce towing fuel consumption, and their innovative water tank construction ensures stability on the road. These features make trailer jetters efficient and reliable for demanding jobs.
Choosing the Right Jetter for Your Business
When deciding between a trailer jetter and a van-pack jetter, it’s important to assess your specific operational needs:
- Van-Pack Jetters: If your work involves navigating urban areas where mobility and low noise levels are priorities, models like the CityJet or eCityJet are excellent choices.
- Trailer Jetters: For greater versatility, larger water capacity, and the convenience of on-site storage, options like the FlexJet and MultiJet are better suited to meet your demands.
Select the jetter that aligns with your workflow to maximise efficiency and performance.
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