Whether you’re looking to rent or buy a hydro excavation vacuum truck, it’s important to know the differences between these machines and make an informed decision. Choosing the right vac truck for your next project can save you time and money.
Hydro excavation is a safe, clean, and precise method of digging to uncover ground utilities for maintenance or construction projects. This method minimizes damage to vital underground services, saving you and your company money in the long run.
Safety
Hydro excavation is one of the safest ways to excavate a site. This process combines high-pressure water with an industrial-strength vacuum to safely uncover underground utilities like gas, electricity, water, and sewage pipes.
In addition to avoiding damage to underground utilities, it minimizes the risks of falls and tripping hazards. Workers should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hard hats and safety glasses when performing hydro excavation.
A hydro excavation truck emits a powerful jet of water that breaks up ground debris and dirt. At the same time, a large vacuum suction removes the soil from the excavated area into a tank on the vehicle.
Vacuum excavation is a non-destructive and clean process that only removes the necessary materials for inspection and repair. It also reduces backfill, labor, and restoration costs compared to traditional digging methods.
Reliability
Vacuum excavation is a safer and cleaner alternative to traditional mechanical digging, providing a more reliable way to excavate around underground utilities. This method minimizes the risk of damaging vital utility lines like mains power, sewage, fiber optic, and gas lines, which can result in costly repairs and mass outages.
The process begins with a hydro vacuum truck parked near the job site that contains a high-pressure water gun to break up and loosen the soil. A vacuum is then applied to suction the soil and slurry into a debris tank on the back of the truck.
Unlike shovels, rock-breakers, or backhoes that damage underground utility lines, a hydro-vac truck can be adjusted to lower or raise water pressure during excavation. This helps contractors avoid damaging utility lines and allows them to locate more underground services than initially uncovered.
Capacity
Hydro excavation is a highly effective, safe, and reliable method of excavating ground to expose utilities. This process uses high-pressure water to break up soil and rock, while a vacuum system instantly removes the debris.
A hydro excavation truck has all the necessary parts for this process, including a water tank, pump and system, a host, and a debris tank. It also has a vacuum source, fan system or a positive displacement blower.
This type of non-destructive digging can be used in various applications to expose underground utilities such as gas lines, electric cables, and fiber optics. It is also helpful for locating holes for new guide rails, fence posts, telephone poles, and infrastructure repair.
The process is around ten times faster than traditional digging methods, making it a cost-effective solution for your job. Using the dual process of digging and vacuuming saves time and labor costs, allowing you to complete your project more quickly and efficiently.
Cost
Hydro excavation is a non-destructive digging process that uses high-pressure water and a vacuum system to dig safely around utilities like water, sewerage, and electrical cables. It’s a cost-effective option for digging holes because it requires less equipment than other excavation methods.
Vacuum excavation involves using pressurized water to break up soil and a powerful vacuum system to pick it up and recover it. The debris can then be dumped into a waste tank or used as a backfill on the site.
It’s important to choose the right hydro excavation vacuum for your job so that you can get the most out of it. This is especially true for projects that involve excavation near ground utilities, such as water, sewage, or electrical lines.
