Vacuum Excavation: A Proud Past, A Critical Future

Featured In: Cleaner, Dig Different, MS&W

By Jason Proctor, Ditch Witch Product Manager, Vacuum Excavation

Vacuum excavation has long been an essential practice on jobsites across the globe. Every underground construction operator, large or small, seeks to keep crews safe and projects profitable. In a modern, competitive industry, finding the right machine to balance these needs can be difficult. 

From damage prevention to fluid-cleanup on horizontal directional drilling (HDD) projects, vacuum excavation saves operators time and helps improve safety. Understanding the transformative history of these machines will arm today’s contractors with an appreciation for the technology and provide insight into how they’re transforming today’s underground construction industry.  

Underground Origins

The history of vacuum excavation stems from the use of hydroexcavation as far back as the late 1800s, when pressurized water flow was used for mining purposes in the United States. Breaking up soil through pressurized water created a cleaner and safer way to dig. From there, hydroexcavation expanded as a method used on underground construction sites throughout most of Canada and the United States. 

Beyond hydroexcavation, the modern “vac” machine can be traced back to clean-up duties and sewer applications beginning in the 1950s. As technology progressed and new innovations took hold, vacuum trucks became a fixture on HDD sites where they proved effective in cleaning up drilling slurry and fluids exposed at the entry and exit pits on these HDD projects. This method aided operators by improving their visibility of buried utilities and providing an efficient method of fluid disposal.  

After their introduction, vacuum excavators found continued heavy usage in Canada through the 1990s and into the present. The industry began to grow significantly in the late 1990s as several equipment manufacturers began entering the market with both truck and trailer-mounted models to fit a growing demand for hydroexcavation in a variety of locations across North America. 

Today’s Innovative Applications 

At the turn of the 21st century, the demand for vacuum excavation led to new designs focused on improving performance on a variety of jobsites. Reduced noise, for example, supported the excavators’ growing use in residential neighborhood projects. Innovations within nozzle technology focus on increasing digging capability while reducing damage to underground utilities. Larger tank capacities kept machines on jobsites longer and provided greater hauling capacity, improving contractor profitability. For example, some municipal operators improved time savings by nearly 50 percent with larger tank sizes. 

Additionally, the machines evolved to fit smaller job-site needs as well. Compact units featuring smaller tanks improved ease-of-use and maneuverability in tight work areas while other, larger models kept operators productive on bigger, more time-intensive projects.  

Beyond mechanical updates, today, air excavation has found a new prominence. For years, many contractors dismissed the effectiveness of air excavation. Due to the increased time and costs savings from not having to dispose of spoils, the productivity and efficiency of air excavation has proved significant for many operators. Unlike hydroexcavation, which requires access to water, air excavation keeps machines running and operators profitable without costly trips to acquire water or dispose of spoils. 

And, just as the applications for vacuum excavation have evolved, so have the safety regulations. While there is not a consistent set of regulations for all states or countries today, several regulations are focused on responsible digging practices. In the United States, mechanical excavation is prohibited within a “safe zone” on an underground construction jobsite creating an opportunity for the use of vacuum excavation for damage prevention. 

Vacuum excavators have been used for damage prevention since the 1980s, however, this role for today’s vacuum excavator took off around 2010 as efforts were being made to avoid damaging existing underground utilities. This concentrated effort is spearheaded by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), which reported 363,176 underground events in the U.S. and Canada in 2015. New innovations and machine designs continue to aid vacuum excavator contractors in revealing hidden utilities and preventing damage to utilities on the job. 

Future Trends and Market Predictions 

The market for vacuum excavation is expanding in all directions. Every customer has a unique need thanks to the versatility of these machines and advancements in newer technology. As more vacuum excavators are used for damage prevention and utility location around the United States, market demand is accelerating the need for these machines. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration found that since 2005, excavation damage is the leading cause of pipeline accidents. This has created additional incentives to use vacuum excavators for utility locating of all sizes. 

Today, manufacturers are focused on enhancing operator safety in their machine designs. Operating a vacuum excavator has long required physical demands, including a need to connect and hold various hoses throughout a job. Recent developments are focused on improved ergonomic designs to help keep operators safe and comfortable on the jobsite.

In addition to operator safety improvements, damage prevention is increasingly critical in areas around the country. Underground construction operators will continue to rely on vacuum excavators to pothole and safely locate hidden utilities and to help minimize crossbores. And as fiber build-out and utility expansion continues, vacuum excavators will play an integral role in uncovering, digging and cleaning up these jobs. 

Driving Innovation and Performance 

With the use of pressurized water for digging during the gold rush of the 1800s to today’s great fiber build-out, various aspects of vacuum excavation have proven versatile over the decades. These methods play a critical role in utility and industrial jobsites across the country by helping to keep operators, safe and profitable.

For more information on the suite of Ditch Witch vacuum excavators, please visit: http://www.ditchwitch.com/vacuum-excavators.

HYDRAULIC BREAKER
Used for construction and demolition, our breakers can be used to break up asphalt, concrete or even clay. The hydraulic hammer is perfect for any small or medium job you might have. More up-time in the field is always the goal, and with only two moving parts and a few seals, there’s no reason for down-time.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

ROCK SAW

Best suited for irrigation and fiber installation, the Rock Saw attachment can effortlessly cut through rock, concrete, and other tough materials with unmatched precision. 

Compatible Models

SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

BACKHOE
Easily move materials for rebuilds, new construction, footings, utility repairs and more with this compact and versatile attachment.
Compatible Models

SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

STUMP GRINDERS
Featuring a heavy-duty boom design, powerful stump grinding attachments quickly shred stumps down to nothing. Easy maneuvering from stump to stump and increased visibility turns more ground stumps into more profit.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

MULTITASK TOOL
Your multipurpose tool for the ultimate multi-tasker is here. Engineered to grab tight to heavy materials and move them with ease and precision, the multi-task tool is your go-to for heavy applications. Easy to operate with convenient, functional levers.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

CORE DRILL
With the MC-450 coring attachment, utility maintenance is simple and less disruptive. Featuring intuitive controls and an integrated water tank, the MC-450 is the perfect choice for quick cuts and a more productive coring process. A fully adjustable 0 to 280 rpm speed allows for enhanced control and greater productivity.
Compatible Models

SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

SOIL CULTIVATOR
Prepare food plots, gardens, and landscaping projects with a soil cultivator. It gets land ready by stirring organic material back in the soil for a healthier, more stable lawn. Buries the biggest of rocks for a looser topsoil.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

BLADES
Whether you’re looking to increase dump height or digging depth, attaching a backfill blade is an easy way to save manpower on your jobsite while working with precision and timeliness. Available in various widths.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

AUGER DRIVER
Ideal for landscaping and tree care, an auger attachment will expedite hole creation and allow operators to quickly plant trees or install fence posts than if they were hand-digging or relying on a hand-held auger. Available in 6" to 30" diameters.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

TILLER
Tough and effective tillers prepare your garden by breaking up tough soil and removing unwanted weeds. Available in 4' width.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

GRAPPLES
Tree grapples come with 48" or 57" openings to efficiently remove logs and debris from the jobsite. It has an excavator style boom design with a powder coat finish and a cylinder lock for increased safety. Brush grapples available with a gap opening of 29" and widths of 42" or 54".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

CARRY ALL LEVELER
One of our most simple yet versatile attachments, the Carry-All Leveler is perfect for carrying bulky material, leveling soil and adding a flat, smooth finish to your project. Available in 49" width.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

BUCKETS
Turn one machine into a multi-functional workhorse with versatile Ditch Witch® SK attachments. From landscaping and hardscapes to tree care and construction-grade tasks, your stand-on skid steer can take on more than you think. We've got you covered with a variety buckets from 4-in-1 to heavy and light material buckets. Widths range from 34" to 66".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

PALLET FORKS
Take on your heaviest loads with precision and dependability with Ditch Witch pallet forks. They easily attach to any of our skid steers and can easily accessorize with hay spikes, brick guards, and much more to add even more ROI. Available in widths ranging from 36-48.75" and lengths from 36-48".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

MICROTRENCHER
Fiber installation and other street-located work is rapidly growing. A microtrenching attachment is key for operators looking to get into fiber installation at the street level. They cut both concrete and asphalt in controlled increments so contractors don't need to stop traffic. Maximum width options are 0.5-1.5” or 2” with maximum depths of 12” or 16”.
Compatible Models

SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

ROTO WITCH®
The Ditch Witch Roto Witch® attachment is used for short bores underneath sidewalks, driveways and other obstacles. It offers great digging performance while minimizing jobsite restoration. Compatible with numerous Ditch Witch stand-on skid steers, the Roto Witch attachment can bore and backream up to 12" (300 mm) in diameter.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

PLOW
Install fiber and other utilities quickly with a vibratory plow attachment for your skid steer. It creates less ground disruption and cleanup than traditional trenching to get the job done faster. Available in maximum depths of 14" and 24".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

POWER RAKE
Clean, level and prep jobsites or smooth and loosen soil for sodding with a rake attachment. Most rake attachments require 10 to 14 gpm, but the higher horsepower creates even more drum torque to tear through the most demanding soil types. Width measures 4'.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

MICROTRENCHERS
Fiber installation and other street-located work is rapidly growing. A microtrenching attachment is key for operators looking to get into fiber installation at the street level. They cut both concrete and asphalt in controlled increments so contractors don't need to stop traffic. Maximum width options are 0.5-1.5” or 2” with maximum depths of 12” or 16”.
Compatible Models

SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

ROTO WITCH®
The Ditch Witch Roto Witch® attachment is used for short bores underneath sidewalks, driveways and other obstacles. It offers great digging performance while minimizing jobsite restoration. Compatible with numerous Ditch Witch stand-on skid steers, the Roto Witch attachment can bore and backream up to 12" (300 mm) in diameter.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

PLOWS
Install fiber and other utilities quickly with a vibratory plow attachment for your skid steer. It creates less ground disruption and cleanup than traditional trenching to get the job done faster. Available in maximum depths of 14" and 24".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

TRENCHER

Stay efficient on large jobsites with a trencher attachment for your skid steer. It’s a smart alternative to large, specialized equipment for utility installation and landscaping jobs. Available in standard 6”, 8” and 12” maximum widths with maximum depths of 36", 38", 48” and 55.5”.

Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000