Top Questions About Industrial Diesel Vacuums – Expert Answers from DuroVac

June 23, 2025
Featured in Article
Written by
Artical originally published on
Read Original

Heavy industrial environments present unique challenges for cleanup. Often, the most demanding tasks – removing large spills, managing process byproducts, or clearing hazardous dust – occur far from readily available electrical power. Relying on long extension cords can be unsafe or impractical, while deploying generators adds another layer of complexity.   

For these tough, off-grid situations, DuroVac engineered the PowerLift Series: OSHA-Approved HEPA Vacuums. Built for off-grid performance, the PowerLift® Diesel is a fully self-contained, gas-powered solution mounted on a forklift-portable chassis. With a rugged EPA Tier 4 Final diesel engine at its core, it’s engineered for reliable, high-powered cleanup wherever you need it—no power source required.

View PowerLift Diesel Spec Sheet 

Frequently Asked Questions About the PowerLift® Diesel Series

How much material can the PowerLift® Diesel move per hour?

The material handling capacity of the PowerLift® Diesel is impressive and varies depending on the specific model. Performance, rated in Tons Per Hour (TPH) using foundry sand and a 50 ft hose, ranges as follows:

  • PLD25 (31 Hp): 4.0 TPH
  • PLD50 / PLD502 (73 Hp): 8.0 TPH
  • PL75 (107 Hp): 12.0 TPH
  • PL75HV (131 Hp): 15.0 TPH

Whether you’re cleaning up abrasive metal shavings, bulk powders, or heavy production waste, the PowerLift® Diesel can be configured to meet your exact needs, ensuring fast, efficient material recovery tailored to your environment.

What industries and materials is the PowerLift® Diesel best suited for?

The PowerLift® Diesel is built for demanding industries like:

  • Metalworking
  • Foundries
  • Cement plants
  • Mining operations
  • Mills
  • Heavy manufacturing
  • ...anywhere large volumes of dry/wet material need moving without grid power.

It excels at handling abrasive metal shavings, foundry sand, cement dust, coal, powders, bulk solids, and heavy production debris. 

Can I use the PowerLift® Diesel indoors and outdoors?

The PowerLift® Diesel is primarily designed and best suited for outdoor or remote applications where diesel engine exhaust ventilation is not a concern. While it utilizes modern EPA Tier 4 Final engines, which significantly reduce emissions compared to older diesel technology, it still produces exhaust fumes.   

For applications requiring frequent indoor or semi-enclosed use, the PowerLift® Propane (PL-P) model is often a more suitable choice due to its cleaner-burning fuel.   

What emissions requirements does the PowerLift® Diesel meet?

The PowerLift® Diesel series is equipped with EPA Tier 4 Final diesel engines. This is the current and most stringent emission standard set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for off-road diesel engines. Tier 4 Final engines incorporate advanced technologies to drastically reduce emissions of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), ensuring compliance with environmental regulations in North America.   

How loud is the PowerLift® Diesel vacuum?

Operating heavy industrial equipment requires effective management of noise levels. The PowerLift® Diesel series has the following approximate noise ratings, measured at a distance of 3 feet:

  • PLD25, PLD50, PLD502: 90 dBa
  • PL75, PL75HV: 95 dBa

Can the PowerLift® Diesel be customized for my specific application?

Absolutely. Every PowerLift® Diesel is fully customizable to match the demands of your environment. With thousands of possible configurations, you can select the ideal horsepower, filtration system, hose setup, and mobility options to create a high-performance industrial vacuum tailored specifically to your material, space, and workflow.

What kind of maintenance does the PowerLift® Diesel need?

The PowerLift® Diesel is engineered for minimal vacuum-specific maintenance.

Key features contributing to this:   

  • Self-cleaning filters (last 10x longer).
  • Abrasion-resistant components.
  • Durable "bulletproof" design.

However, the diesel engine requires standard routine maintenance per the manufacturer's schedule (oil, filters, coolant, etc.).

What are the PowerLift® Diesel Advantages?

  • Unplugged Power: High-vacuum performance anywhere, no electricity needed.
  • High Throughput: Moves large volumes quickly (up to 15 TPH).
  • Durability: Abrasion-resistant design for harsh materials/environments.   
  • Compliance: Meets stringent EPA Tier 4 Final emission standards.
  • Low Ownership Cost Focus: Reliable design, minimal vacuum maintenance, long filter life.

PowerLift® Diesel & Propane Vacuum Product Page

PowerLift® Diesel Series Datasheet

The DuroVac PowerLift® Diesel is a powerful gas-powered vacuum that fills the gap between small shop vacs and large, expensive vacuum trucks. As a portable industrial vacuum, it combines high suction power, generous onboard storage, and durable filtration to handle even the toughest materials, such as metal chips, foundry sand, or heavy bulk debris, without relying on electrical hookups. With fully customizable options for horsepower, filtration, and mobility, you can configure it to meet the specific demands of your facility. Whether you’re managing day-to-day cleanup or large-scale waste recovery, the PowerLift® delivers dependable performance, low maintenance, and true on-site flexibility. It’s the rugged vacuum solution built to go wherever the job takes you.

Contact Us to Get Started

Related Blog Posts

No items found.

Related Vacuums

PowerLift Diesel & Propane Vacuum
Diesel or Propane
Max Suction
A diesel or propane engine provides an alternative to electricity with reliable, convenient material disposal.
  • Powerful suction for big cleanups
  • Moves sand at 450 lbs per minute
  • Up to 2.5 cubic yard storage
click here to learn more
PowerLift Series
No items found.
Portable by forklift, the classic PowerLift Series of vacuums comes with extensive configurations and world-class filtration.
click here to learn more