The Vacutug is a pit-latrine exhauster designed to provide a simple and inexpensive method for emptying pit-latrines in areas where access by conventional exhausters is impossible, for instance, because of narrow roads. It is a simple machine, composed of a vacuum tank and a pump/tug assembly.

The design specification of the Vacutug is based on the hypothesis that, typically, an individual will produce between 40-50 litres of sludge per annum. Thus where dry pits are used with good ground conditions, where there is no ingress of ground water, a 500 litre tank load should provide a latrine service for a family of 10 people for one year.

The tug assembly comprises a small frame-mounted 5.9 kW petrol engine. It is pedestrian controlled and in traction mode, the engine can propel the vehicle at speeds of up to 5kph. It consists of a 500 litre load capacity, a 4 meter long by 3 inch diameter PVC hose and when connected to the vacuum pump which has a 1700 litres a minute air flow. The pump can be reversed to pressurize the tank to assist the discharge into a transfer tank.