What is a Vac Truck & what are they used for?

What Is a Vac Truck and When Would You Need One?

What is a vac truck?

You may or may not have heard the term, but a vac truck (or vacuum truck) performs a very specific and important task. Vacuum trucks are used in the process of hydro excavation, meticulously and carefully performing excavation operations that used to be reserved for heavy machinery such as bobcats and excavators.

How Does a Vacuum Truck Work?

Using the process of hydro excavation, a vacuum truck essentially works like a very powerful giant vacuum cleaner. The science and logic behind using a vacuum truck and hydro excavation techniques is to minimise the risk of any damage occurring to underground utilities.

How many times have traditional excavation machinery accidentally broken through a water main, gas main, or cut through cables for telephone and internet connections?

Hydro excavation is designed to be a non-destruction form of excavation and is performed in a two part process.

1. Pressurised water is first used to break up the earth
2. The powerful vacuum them sucks away the loose soil

This effectively excavates the hole without the need for heavy machinery and metal buckets posing a risk to any important utilities located underground.

When Would You Require a Vacuum Truck?

A vacuum truck and hydro excavation is effective for any form of underground excavation where there is the risk of damage to hidden utilities and other property. Some examples where a vac truck excels include:

• Slot trenching
• Potholing
• Sign and pole installation
• Pit and conduit cleaning
• Debris removal
• Excavating beneath existing structures
• Cable locator services
• Pipeline maintenance
• Sludge removal
• Drain and culvert cleanouts
• And much more…

There are many useful applications of this innovative excavation technique and it really makes logical sense to use a vacuum truck for your excavation requirements.