From Ditch Witch
Vacuum excavation, often referred to as “soft digging,” is an effective, non-destructive method of digging that uses high-pressure water or air to break up soil and a vacuum to remove the debris. This technique is widely recognized for its safety, precision, and efficiency, making it a preferred choice for various construction and utility projects.
The vacuum excavation process begins with setting up a truck or trailer-mounted vacuum machine. For Ditch Witch machines, the HX models are the trailer vacs and the HXT models are the truck vacs. Ditch Witch also manufactures the Warlock Series of truck vacs, which are the biggest in the company’s fleet. Each machine is equipped with a high-pressure water or air source, a vacuum hose, and a debris tank.
Depending on the type of vacuum excavation, the machine will either use pressurized water or air to dig. In hydro excavation, a water pump is used to create a powerful stream, while in air excavation, compressed air is used. For hydro excavation, the pressurized water is directed at the ground, with an oscillating nozzle, effectively breaking up the soil. This method is particularly useful for cutting through tough soil conditions or frozen ground, especially when the water is heated with an onboard boiler. Like taking a shower, hot water increases efficiency as it loosens the soil.
For air excavation, compressed air is used to dislodge the soil without adding moisture. This technique is ideal for dry conditions and helps maintain the integrity of the excavated material for potential reuse.
Once the soil is loosened, a vacuum hose suctions the debris into a storage tank on the machine. The vacuum system is powerful enough to handle various types of soil and debris, ensuring efficient removal. The collected material is stored in a tank on the vacuum truck or trailer. Air excavation removes the need to find an approved dump site for the debris in the tank. When water is added to the process, the debris cannot be simply placed back into the hole and an approved location to dump spoils is required.
In many cases, after excavation, the site can be restored with minimal disruption. The precision of vacuum excavation means that only the necessary area is disturbed, reducing the need for extensive site restoration.
When done correctly, vacuum excavation reduces the risk of striking existing utilities and is more precise than traditional digging techniques, such as manual digging or using mechanical equipment.
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