450L Gas Sensitive Vacuum Tanker- Skidbase

Introducing the 450-Litre Vac Tank Bowser: The Next Evolution in Utility Vacuum Solutions For years, the Alan Taylor Unit (ATU) served as a trusted solution in vacuum tank bowser operations. With the ATU no longer in production, the industry faces a critical need for a reliable and effective replacement. Enter the 450-Litre Vac Tank Bowser – Trailer Engineering’s advanced, purpose-built solution, designed to exceed the performance of its predecessor. Built for Utility Excellence Trailer Engineering developed the 450-litre Vac Tank Bowser specifically to meet the demanding needs of utility companies. This unit is ideal for removing water from gas mains, offering the precision and efficiency once provided by the ATU—with significant improvements. Engineered with reliability and utility in mind, the unit includes enhanced safety features and versatile components to support a wide range of on-site tasks. Industry-Proven and Trusted Our 450-litre Vac Tank Bowser is already in use by leading names in the sector which includes Transco, British Gas, Wales and West, Cadent Gas, and Guernsey Gas, proving its effectiveness and reliability in the field. The Modern Replacement for the Alan Taylor Unit With utilities actively seeking to replace legacy equipment, our vac tanker stands out as the natural successor. Its performance in water extraction from gas mains and other critical scenarios makes it the go-to option for gas network operators. We’ve not only matched the capabilities of the ATU, but we’ve also advanced them. Key Features and Benefits Integrated Flame Arrestor: Fitted on the suction inlet/outlet of the compressor for added safety. Dual Filtration System: Includes twin clear filter bowls—one for oil/vapour mist, the other containing medical-grade charcoal to eliminate exhaust odours. Reinforced Suction Hose: The 450-litre vac tanker features a rear-mounted spring rewind hose reel fitted with 16 metres of reinforced 1” suction hose, terminating in a 1” cam-lock fitting complete with cap. The fixed hose-to-hose reel is equipped with cam-lock fittings at the end, enabling connection to either the tank’s suction inlet or the discharge valve. An additional 20-metre extension hose, also fitted with cam-lock connectors, is stored in a dedicated basket. Flexible Hose Connectivity: Easily connect to both suction and discharge ports with secure cam-lock fittings. Expanded Use Cases The 450-litre vacuum tanker can also be configured to handle fuel spillages, using a handheld vacuum blade to recover spilled fuel effectively. Its compact design, with the additional option for it to be attached to a towable trailer chassis, makes it ideal for rapid response and fuel recovery in roadside locations and hard-to-reach areas. Additional vacuum tank sizes are available upon request. Please refer to the video below for a demonstration of a vacuum tanker in use for fuel spillage clean-up with a handheld vacuum. The Legacy of the Alan Taylor Unit (ATU) As we continue to work with an increasing number of utility companies, particularly those operating within the gas mains sector, we are frequently asked about the Alan Taylor Unit. Through industry research and shared accounts from professionals in the gas sector, it became clear that the origin of the Alan Taylor Unit stems from a significant challenge: water ingress into gas mains, which often led to widespread loss of gas supply across large areas. In response to this issue, there was a concerted effort to develop a solution capable of efficiently removing water from the gas network. The answer came in the form of a specialist vacuum tanker, which could be connected directly to the gas mains to extract the unwanted water. This innovative solution became known as the ATU (Alan Taylor Unit), named in honour of the gas engineer who first devised the concept of water extraction from gas pipelines. Following further research and development, Trailer Engineering has re-engineered and enhanced this type of vacuum tanker. Our updated design includes all necessary safety features, along with the precise suction balance required for effective water removal—too much suction risks extracting gas from the system, while insufficient suction fails to clear the water properly. Trailer Engineering’s gas-sensitive ATU vacuum tanker is equipped as standard with primary and secondary overflow protection, a pressure relief valve, vacuum relief valve, pressure gauge, and lockable rear ball valves. Additionally, the vacuum pump includes a padlock feature to ensure it remains locked in suction mode, preventing any accidental pressurisation of the gas mains. Further safety enhancements include a spark arrestor fitted to the Yanmar engine’s exhaust and a flame trap on the vacuum pump exhaust, positioned after an oil mist separating filter system. As the original manufacturers of the vacuum tanker known as the Alan Taylor Unit, Trailer Engineering can also produce bespoke vacuum tankers tailored to meet your specific operational requirements. Dimensions: Length: 2100mm Width: 1500mm Height: 1800mm Dry Weight: Approx 595kg Weight with tank full: Approx 1045kg