Kaiser Premier Hydrovac Proves to be Dependable Digger for TLC Services

Kaiser Premier hydrovac truck fuels growth of Montana company’s hydroexcavation services

In the wake of the deep economic recession of 2008 and 2009, TLC Services in Belgrade, Montana, dropped its slumping excavation and landscaping services and instead morphed into a portable restroom and septic services business.

Several years later, when the company decided to get back to its roots, it beefed up capabilities with a hydroexcavation truck, which has helped fuel growth at the business, owned by Wes Dooley Sr. and his wife, Lori.

“Hydroexcavation technology intrigued us and our son, Wes Jr., has always loved excavation work,” says Lori Dooley. “So when the economy picked back up, we decided to get back into that field of work. Plus we saw a market niche that we could capitalize because no one else in our area had that capability at the time.”

To avoid investing too much money while entering a new market, the company bought a used hydrovac truck for around $40,000. But once firmly established, in 2019, the business bought a new CV-200 hydrovac truck from Kaiser Premier, built on a 2020 Peterbilt 567 chassis.

Versatile Asset

The truck cost about $650,000, but it was a worthwhile expenditure in terms of return on investment; the workhorse machine now generates about 17% of TLC’s income.

“My dad is all about adding assets,” says Wes Dooley Jr., hydroexcavation division manager. “Even if this truck would just break even, we would always have it here as a tool to use in the future.

“We use it for other jobs, too,” he continues. “If we’re excavating a foundation that’s close to a natural gas line, for example, we’ll use the hydrovac truck for safer excavation. Or if we’re installing a septic system and need to cross a power line, we’ll also use the hydrovac truck for the same reason — safety.”

Much of the hydroexcavation work involves daylighting underground utility and fiber-optic lines, digging trenches for laying new utility lines and potholing for new power poles. The well-diversified company also pumps septic tanks; inspects, repairs and installs septic systems; rents and services portable restrooms; and offers concrete and gravel-shooting services.

Easy Operation

Built on a 2020 Peterbilt 567 chassis, the truck features a 13-cubic-yard debris tank; an 1,800-gallon water tank; a Cat water pump (3,000 psi at up to 20 gpm); 75 feet of 1/2-inch-diameter jetting hose; a PD tri-lobe blower from Robuschi (a brand owned by Gardner Denver); a 26-foot-long boom that can rotate 342 degrees; a hydraulic off-loading system; a 700,000 Btu boiler that provides hot water; and wireless remote-control operation.

Dooley says the company decided to buy a Kaiser hydrovac truck because the previous used trucks were Kaisers and he loves their durability, performance and ease of operation.

“I love how simple it is to operate, plus the Kaiser customer service is excellent,” he explains. “Plus we already had a good relationship established with Kaiser, which made the decision a no-brainer.”

Convenient Features

Some of the features Dooley enjoys most are the dozer blade in the debris tank that easily removes debris from the no-tilt tank; a third drive axle that increases traction in snow and mud; and remote-control operation.

“With the remote control, I can essentially operate the whole truck by myself,” he says. “I use it every day because I usually do hydrovac work by myself. So if I need to move the boom up or down or shut the water off, I don’t have to walk back and forth to the control panel. It enhances productivity — and makes my life way easier.”

Dooley says the Kaiser truck is very durable and generally requires only routine maintenance to keep operational, despite often harsh working conditions in the company’s Montana service area. Access to items that require routine maintenance is easy, too, he notes.