Vacuum excavator - GIF

Vacuum excavator.

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Previously:

https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...509#post139311
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...372#post166014
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...872#post152570
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...825#post194308
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...745#post193978
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...967#post183934

Around here, the ground is way too hard for that. They use a big "pressure washer" to break up the hard clay, then the slurry is sucked up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hemmjo

They use a big "pressure washer" to break up the hard clay, then the slurry is sucked up.

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Yup. Hydrovac. Very common in Canada too. I've never heard of "dry" hydrovac. Very interesting.

A few years ago I did something very similar on a much smaller scale using my shop vac
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...494#post101688

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Frank S

A few years ago I did something very similar on a much smaller scale using my shop vac
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...494#post101688

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Oh that's good. Duct tape a garden hose to the business end of that and you're on to something.

very common in industrial excavation around power cables, pipes etc. the Kingvac 6000 trucks are not cheap, so it's mostly industry that can afford to hire them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by desbromilow

very common in industrial excavation around power cables, pipes etc. the Kingvac 6000 trucks are not cheap, so it's mostly industry that can afford to hire them.

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The alternative is hand excavation since a trencher or backhoe bucket can cause lots of unwanted damage, guys with shovels and picks can do a lot of damage as well.

Digging a hole like that must really suck! :lol: