Fuel consumption remains one of the most significant long-term operating costs in vacuum loading, hydro excavation and drain cleaning fleets.
For operators, the purchase price of a truck is the initial investment, but there are many other costs over years of operation such as servicing requirements, training, parts and accessories, and fuel consumption. A truck that appears cost-effective upfront can become expensive if it consumes more fuel, requires more frequent servicing, or spends too much time off the road. Therefore fuel savings and efficiency should be viewed as a key part of the lifecycle cost consideration.
KOR supports operators across Australia and New Zealand with world-class industrial equipment, accessories, servicing capability and operational support. As the Australian and New Zealand distributor for Cappellotto equipment, KOR works with civil, municipal, industrial, drain cleaning and hydro excavation operators who need reliable equipment capable of keeping operations running.
Rising operating costs are changing how fleets evaluate equipment
Fleet buyers are becoming more disciplined in how they assess operational value. Fuel costs, labour availability, servicing pressures, and downtime all affect profitability.
For contractors, equipment with higher productivity can achieve a higher margin through increased hourly rate.. For councils, utilities and set hourly rate contracts, lower operating costs can help extend fleet budgets further or increase profitability. For industrial service providers, uptime can be the difference between meeting a shutdown window or losing productive hours.
Fuel efficiency matters because it compounds over time. A modest reduction in fuel burn across one shift becomes far more meaningful across months and years of operation. This is why many operators are asking about running costs at the same time as they ask about the purchase price. They understand that the lifecycle operating costs can outweigh the initial purchase price over the working life of vacuum and hydro excavation equipment.
Why upfront price should not be the only consideration
Auxiliary engine systems can appear attractive during procurement. In some cases, they may offer a lower upfront purchase price and rely on familiar technology that operators have used for years. However, based on our operational comparisons, auxiliary engine vacuum equipment can use significantly more fuel than Cappellotto equipment powered through efficient driveline systems optimised with Scania and Volvo chassis systems.
Auxiliary engine configurations also require double servicing because operators are maintaining both the chassis engine and the auxiliary engine separately. Over time, this increases maintenance costs, workshop scheduling pressures and mechanical complexity.
There are practical operation implications as well. Auxiliary engines reduce available payload, increase sound pressure levels and may require replacement sooner than Scania and Volvo chassis engines used within Cappellotto’s integrated single-engine approach.
Environmentally an auxillary engine is significantly worse with not only 2 engines, but auxillary engines typically have little emission reduction compared to Scania and Volvo Euro 6 engines.
This does not mean every auxiliary engine system is unsuitable. It means fleet decisions should be assessed across the full working life of the equipment rather than only at the point of purchase.
For many operators, total cost of ownership has become a more useful benchmark than acquisition cost alone.
How Cappellotto single-engine systems reduce fuel consumption
The efficiency advantage begins with how power is managed across the equipment. Cappellotto vacuum and water jetting equipment is designed around optimised power systems integrated with Scania and Volvo chassis platforms. Rather than relying on a separate auxiliary engine operating independently from the truck, the system is designed so the engine delivers the power required for the task being performed.
When a system does not need to continuously run at maximum rpm, unnecessary fuel burn can be reduced. The engine output adjusts according to operational demand, supporting vacuum and jetting functions without wasting energy where it is not required. Other operational advantages can include:
- Demand-based power delivery
- Reduced unnecessary rpm
- One integrated engine system rather than duplicated engine architecture
- Lower servicing complexity
- Reduced fuel consumption during operation
- Reduced emission levels up to 90% lower on Cappellotto compared to auxiliary engines.
Engineering efficiency beyond the chassis engine
Cappellotto equipment is engineered so the truck operates efficiently as a complete system. The vacuum system is designed to move material with reduced wasted energy, using airflow configurations intended to support faster suction and minimise internal resistance. When airflow moves efficiently through the system, there is less unnecessary engine strain.
Construction weight also contributes to operational efficiency. Cappellotto places emphasis on lightweight design yet durable materials that reduce overall vehicle weight without compromising structural integrity. Lower weights can reduce the energy required during acceleration, climbing and general operation.
The drive systems are also designed for efficiency. Cappellotto vacuum and drain cleaning pump systems utilise efficient belt drive systems and vacuum blower technology. Compared with hydraulic pump drive systems or liquid ring pumps, which can involve higher energy losses, Cappellotto units are designed to reduce wasted power throughout operation.
The result is better airflow, efficient power transfer, reduced internal resistance and lower wasted energy which all contribute to operational efficiency across the equipment lifecycle.
Productivity gains that compound fuel savings
Fuel efficiency becomes more commercially valuable when it is paired with productivity improvements.
In sewer cleaning applications, faster job completion reduces total engine running hours. Fewer operating hours means less fuel consumed per job, along with reduced idle time and lower throttle demand throughout the shift.
Cappellotto recycling units can also reduce the number of dumping and refill cycles required during operation. Every additional disposal trip adds travel time, idle time and fuel use. A Cappellotto recycler in drain or sewer cleaning activity achieves typical double productivity over a non-recycling system. Recycling systems that allow operators to continue working longer before refilling or emptying tanks can improve operational efficiency across the day.
Higher airflow vacuum systems may also support faster material removal. This can help operators spend less time over the same pit, drain or excavation zone while maintaining productivity.
10-year lifecycle value of Cappellotto fuel savings
Vacuum and hydro excavation equipment should be assessed as a long-term operational asset rather than a short-term purchase.
Based on our operational comparisons, Cappellotto fuel savings over a 10-year period can be substantial. The operational estimates indicate fuel savings may reach approximately $250,000 AUD over equipment lifespan, with servicing costs and engine replacement savings potentially contributing an additional $75,000 AUD. Some comparisons against competitor equipment can be closer to $500,000 over the 10-year period.
Depreciation also influences long-term fleet value. Our comparisons indicate auxiliary engine vacuum equipment may depreciate more quickly over time, while Cappellotto vacuum equipment powered through Scania and Volvo chassis systems may retain approximately 30-50% of value after 10 years of operation.
When fuel consumption, servicing requirements, depreciation and retained value are considered together, the broader lifecycle advantage may approach approximately $600,000 before factoring in the additional commercial impact of downtime reduction.
Note that these figures are operational estimates rather than guaranteed outcomes. Actual savings will vary depending on operating hours, application type, servicing practices, routes, payload, operator behaviour and general fleet utilisation.
Addressing buyer concerns
One of the most common concerns is upfront cost. Cappellotto equipment may involve a different investment approach compared with lower-cost auxiliary engine alternatives. However, for many operators the more useful comparison is total cost of ownership across fuel consumption, servicing, downtime and retained value.
Another concern is complexity. Advanced equipment can sometimes be perceived as more difficult to maintain. In this case, Cappellotto’s integrated single-engine design is intended to reduce duplicated systems rather than increase them. Fewer engines can mean fewer service requirements and reduced mechanical duplication.
Some operators also question whether fuel efficiency compromises performance. Cappellotto’s operational efficiency is linked to airflow design, vacuum productivity, efficient power transfer and reduced wasted energy. The objective is not to reduce performance, but to improve how efficiently available power is used.
The final consideration is whether the same savings apply equally to every fleet, but they do not. A truck operating continuously in hydro excavation, industrial vacuum loading or drain cleaning environments will have a different operating profile from equipment used less intensively. That is why fleet-specific evaluation remains important.
KOR support across Australia and New Zealand
Long-term operational efficiency depends on more than equipment design alone. Ongoing support capability also matters. That is why KOR supports Australian and New Zealand customers with industrial equipment, spare parts, accessories, servicing capability, leasing options and operational support.
Training also contributes to long-term operational performance. KOR Academy (via Trainright, our training partner) delivers nationally accredited competency training. Available training includes high pressure water jetting, drain cleaning, vacuum loading, hydro excavation, and more.
Well-trained operators can help reduce unnecessary equipment wear, improve task execution and support safer, more efficient operations across demanding environments.
Look beyond purchase price to long-term operational value
Cappellotto fuel savings matter because they form part of the operational efficiency equation. For operators assessing vacuum, hydro excavation or drain cleaning equipment, consider how effectively a truck continues performing across years of operation.
Speak with KOR about assessing your long-term operating efficiency across any vacuum, hydro excavation or drain cleaning fleet.
