Vacuum excavation hire
Need vacuum excavation for damage-free digging around cables, pipes and tree roots? Tornado Rent hires out VAC-EX machines by the week, with or without an operator, throughout the Netherlands and Belgium.
- Clean, ready-to-work machine on site
- Weekly hire, with or without an operator
- Delivery throughout the Netherlands and Belgium
- Damage-free digging around sensitive buried services
Why hire vacuum excavation?
Traditional digging with a bucket or spade is risky around cables, pipes and tree roots. One wrong move leads to damage, delay and a large repair bill. A suction excavator, also called a vacuum excavator or VAC-EX, breaks up the ground with compressed air and lifts it straight out. That way you expose what is buried without damaging any of it. Read more about what VAC-EX is and how vacuum excavation works.
Hiring costs less than buying when you use the machine job by job. You pay only for the period you need it, with no maintenance, no storage and no upfront investment. And you pick the right machine per project instead of being tied to one model.
Cables and pipes
Expose gas, water, power and fibre without touching them.
Tree roots
Expose roots without harming the tree, ideal for arborists and municipalities.
Tight sites
Work on pavements, in alleyways and in city centres where an excavator cannot reach.
With or without an operator
Run it yourself, or have our experienced operator do the work.
When to use vacuum excavation
Anywhere the ground is sensitive and an excavator would be too blunt, suction is the safe option. The most common reasons for hiring are:
Digging around cables and pipes
Expose gas, water, power and fibre without touching them. See how we handle exposing cables and pipes and why it beats damage-free excavation by hand.
Exposing tree roots
For arborists, landscapers and municipalities who need to inspect or free roots without harming the tree. See our approach to tree root excavation.
Working in confined and urban spaces
On pavements, in alleyways, car parks and tunnels where an excavator cannot go. Our compact and electric machines are just 1 metre wide and emission-free.
Trial holes and connections
Dig trial holes quickly and under control, expose service connections or sink shafts deep into the ground without opening up the whole site.
Who hires from us
Our customers come from a range of sectors. If you recognise your work here, a suction excavator is probably a useful addition to your fleet:
- Contractors and groundworkers
- Infrastructure and utility companies
- Landscapers and arborists
- Municipalities and water authorities
- Fibre and cable installers
- Plant hire partners
How vacuum excavation works
A suction excavator works in two steps. First a powerful air lance breaks up the ground with compressed air. Then the machine draws the loosened soil straight into a collection tank, under control. Because no steel enters the ground, cables, pipes and roots stay undamaged.
Break up
Compressed air from the lance breaks up the soil, with no mechanical force on the ground.
Suck out
The loosened soil goes straight into the machine's tank.
Ground intact
Cables, pipes and roots stay completely undamaged.
Which machine suits your job?
We hire out several types, from compact to trailer. The right choice depends on available space, ground conditions and the depth you need.
Compact machines
Just 1 metre wide. For pavements, alleyways and city-centre work. Also available as a zero-emission electric version for night work and enclosed spaces.
All-round machines
More capacity and suction for pipelines, cable laying and municipal work, while still fitting on a footpath.
Trailer unit
Towable by most vans. Large tank capacity and excavation depth up to 8 metres for heavier and deeper work.
Packages and rates
Three clear packages, hired by the full week. Choose the one that fits your job.
Machine only
The suction excavator, operated by you.
- Clean, ready-to-work machine
- Hire by the full week
- Hand-over briefing by phone
Complete set
The machine plus all tools and accessories to start straight away.
- Machine with air lance and accessories
- Hire by the full week
- Damage-free work around cables and pipes
Operated complete set
The complete set including an experienced operator who does the digging for you.
- Complete set with operator
- We run the machine
- No in-house expertise or staff needed
All rates are per week and exclude VAT. Arrange transport yourself or let us handle it. Within a package the rate is the same, whichever machine you choose.
Hire with or without an operator
Already experienced with suction excavation? Then hire the machine on its own or as a complete set and get straight to work. We deliver a clean, ready-to-work machine and give you the hand-over briefing you need.
Prefer to hand it over? Choose the operated complete set. An experienced Tornado Rent operator comes along and runs the machine for you. Ideal when you would rather not tie up your own people, or when the work needs to be especially precise around gas, fibre or tree roots.
Request a quote
Delivery throughout the Netherlands and Belgium
From our base in Rhoon we deliver suction excavators across the Netherlands and Belgium. Arrange transport yourself, or we handle it and drop the machine on your site clean and ready to work.
Working here as an international contractor? See vacuum excavation hire in the Netherlands, or go straight to suction excavator hire.
Frequently asked questions
What does vacuum excavation hire cost?
We hire by the full week in three fixed packages: the machine on its own, a complete set with all the tools, and an operated complete set including an operator. The exact rate depends on the package you choose and the hire period. Request a no-obligation quote and we will confirm price and availability within one working day.
Can I hire a suction excavator with an operator?
Yes. With the operated complete set an experienced operator comes along and runs the machine for you. You do not need your own trained staff, and you can be confident the work around cables, pipes and tree roots is done safely and accurately.
What is the difference between a suction excavator and a vacuum excavator?
They are two names for the same technique. A suction excavator, also called a vacuum excavator or VAC-EX, breaks up the ground with compressed air and lifts it straight out. That keeps the ground intact so you can dig damage-free around sensitive services.
Which machine do I need for my job?
It depends on the space, the ground conditions and the depth required. For city-centre work and narrow access choose a compact machine, for more capacity an all-round machine, and for deep or heavy work the trailer unit. Not sure? Tell us about the job and we will advise.
How long can I hire a machine for?
We hire by the full week, with a minimum of one week. Longer periods are of course possible. Give your preferred start and return date in the enquiry and we will work out the hire period for you.
Do you deliver the machine to site?
We deliver throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. You can arrange transport yourself or have Tornado Rent take care of it. The machine always arrives clean and ready to work.
Is it safe around gas mains and power cables?
Yes, that is exactly the strength of the technique. Because the work is done with air rather than steel, the machine never touches the service. Non-conductive, non-sparking tooling makes it safe to dig around gas, water, power and fibre.
Do I need experience or a certificate to hire?
For the single machine and the complete set we give a hand-over briefing, and after a short explanation you can work yourself. If you would rather hand the job over entirely, choose the operated set. Our operator then does the digging and you need no in-house expertise.
Read more
Suction excavator hire
The VAC-EX machine range, from compact tracked unit to trailer.
ViewDamage-free excavation
Digging around cables and pipes without damaging what is buried.
ViewVacuum excavation services
What vacuum excavation is, how it works and when to use it.
ViewTree root excavation
Expose roots without damaging the root ball.
ViewRequest a booking
Choose your package and dates. We confirm availability within one working day.
Choose a package and period for a price indication
Contact details
Tornado Rent B.V.
Dienstenstraat 1-5
3161 GN Rhoon
Marcel Haring
We deliver throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. Arrange transport yourself or let Tornado Rent handle it.
Choose a package and period for a price indication