Product Overview
MBW Europe

Compaction & Concrete
Construction Equipment

Soil Pick

The Soil Pick is an innovative selective excavator, designed to break and displace porous and semi-porous soils while preserving non-porous objects, all without risking damage to buried utilities. Using a supersonic jet of compressed air, it efficiently loosens soil within a 4-inch range, ensuring rapid and precise excavation without unnecessary soil disturbance. MBW’s patented technology creates a high-velocity air stream, pulverizing soil safely. It’s exceptionally safe for gas-enriched environments and areas near live electric lines. Weighing just 6.5 lbs, it offers extended use without fatigue, making it an ideal choice for various excavation tasks. We also offer a variation – Soil Pick Pro. This model comes in two pieces – 36 1/2″ (93cm) extension barrel with a 2 1/2 (6cm) interchangeable nozzle. Both Soil Picks, the ‘Standard’ and the ‘Pro’ are available in four models: SP65, SP80, SP125 & SP160.

Features

Selective Excavation Technology: Innovative selective excavator designed to break and displace porous and semi-porous soils while preserving non-porous objects. Uses a supersonic air jet for efficient excavation within a 4-inch range, ensuring rapid and precise work without disturbing unnecessary soil. Patented High-Velocity Air Stream: MBW's patented technology creates a high-velocity air stream, pulverizing soil safely and effectively. Ensures safe excavation in gas-enriched environments and near live electric lines. User-Friendly Design: Lightweight at just 6.5 lbs, allowing extended use without causing fatigue. Available in two versions: 'Standard' and 'Pro,' the latter equipped with a 36 1/2" extension barrel and a 2 1/2" interchangeable nozzle. Versatile Models: Soil Picks are available in four models: SP65, SP80, SP125 & SP160, with the standard model being SP125.

Description

The Soil Pick is a selective excavator. Selective in the sense that it fractures, pulverzies and displaces porous and semi-porous soils, yet leaves non-porous objects unaffected. The Soil Pick excavates soil without risk of damaging buried utilities by using a supersonic jet of air.
The Soil Pick employs converging/diverging nozzle technology to accelerate compressed air to supersonic speed (to 1475 mph). The high velocity air stream travels approximately 4 inches from the end of the Soil Pick before decompressing to atmospheric pressure with sufficient force to pulverize and displace soil.
MBW holds US and international patents on the combination of dielectric and non-sparking characteristics embodied in the Soil Pick. Non-conductive, non-sparking tools are of obvious benefit to those working in environments that may be gas enriched and/or are in close proximity to live electric lines.
Also for reasons of safety, MBW standardises the Soil Pick’s cutting edge at approximately 4 inches*. A 4 inch cutting edge is long enough to facilitate rapid excavation, yet short enough to minimize the potential for personal injury caused by misdirection of the cutting edge. Very importantly, soil aeration beyond the target utility is minimized, thus simplifying and facilitating effective backfilling and compaction of the excavation. The 4 inch cutting edge also provides better control of the air stream while working in the immediate area of a gas leak. The Soil Pick’s non-sparking, brass nozzle weighs 4.2 ounces. It is important that the nozzle does not detach from the barrel to become a high velocity projectile. For this reason, the nozzle is threaded into the Soil Pick’s barrel and cemented in place. Some manufacturers promote easily exchanged nozzles. MBW’s view is that safety comes first.
The Soil Pick requires no periodic maintenance. A pressure gauge on the handle assembly advises the operator if the tool is working at acceptable pressure. The Soil Pick weighs 6.5 lbs, has zero vibration and can be used for extended periods without fatigue.

Specification

MODEL SP80 SP125 SP160
Weight 6.2 lbs (3 kg) 6.2 lbs (3 kg) 6.2 lbs (3 kg)
Length 52 in (132 cm) 52 in (132 cm) 52 in (132 cm)
Barrel Diameter 1.25 in (3 cm) 1.25 in (3 cm) 1.25 in (3 cm)
Air Stream Velocity 1475 mph (2375 km/h) 1475 mph (2375 km/h) 1475 mph (2375 km/h)
Effective Cutting Depth ** 4 in (10 cm) 4 in (10 cm) 4 in (10 cm)
Air Volume 80 cfm (2265 L/min) 125 cfm (3540 L/min) 160 cfm (4531 L/min)
Pressure at Tool Inlet 100 psi (6.9 bar) 100 psi (6.9 bar) 100 psi (6.9 bar)
Claw type Quick Connector 3/4 in 3/4 in 3/4 in

Manuals

Soil Pick - L3847_U

Literature

Soil Pick Literature
SOIL PICK LITERATURE - ACCESSORIES

Video