It is important to remember that your equipment should be appropriate for the task at hand, just as it is for any other job you do. If you want to chop down a tree, you don't use a shovel; you use an ax. When choosing a truck for hydro excavation, it is essential to use this sort of common sense. This truck is used for hydrating, which involves cutting the soil with high-pressure water and then extracting the slurry with a vacuum truck. While on the lookout for this specific truck, there are many factors to consider. This article will explore all the relevant points that should be considered while choosing a hydro-vac truck.
Things to Consider About An Excavation Truck
Following are the things that you need to consider when choosing a hydro-vac truck for potholing, trenching, daylighting, or whatever excavation job it is:
Application
The most proper place to begin is by asking yourself, "for what tasks or purposes do I need a hydro excavation truck?" Even though a hydro excavator is now utilized for a wide range of jobs, one must consider several choices and add-ons available for this kind of equipment. In this decision-making process, determining the scope of your project or continuing work is the essential step you can take right away. As a result, you will be better prepared to answer follow-up questions such as 'should I need a heavier-duty truck?' and 'how long will my project(s) take?' These are just the initial questions that you should ask yourself before making a choice.
Soil Characteristics
The kind of soil you will encounter on the worksite will play a role in determining the equipment you will need. It is more challenging to deal with clay-like terrain than it is with thinner soil. Thicker soils, such as clay, need a heavier-duty vehicle, while loose or soft soils necessitate the use of smaller, lighter-duty equipment.
System of Water Supply
The water system of the truck is an essential component since it will influence how easily you will be able to cut through the soil with a high-pressure water hose. It is necessary to ensure that the pressure applied is not too low since this will impair the machine's capacity to displace the earth. Moreover, the force used mustn't be excessive since this may result in permanent damage to the truck as well as to the surrounding soil.
Budget
To accommodate the wide variety of machine systems and choices, the price range of a hydro excavator may fluctuate. It is essential to collaborate carefully with your hydrovacing contractor to guarantee that the excavation truck they are using meets not only the requirements of your project but also your financial constraints. With the assistance of your contractor, you will be guided through the process and available choices, ensuring that you receive the equipment you need while being financially liable.
Other Factors to Take into Account
Choose a hydro-vac truck with a larger tank capacity if you wish to minimize machine downtime. You won't have to take frequent breaks to empty the tank. Trucks with larger tanks, on the other hand, are more expensive. Before making a decision, be sure to consider all aspects of your project. Some contractors choose to modify their trucks, although this is not always the most cost-effective or time-saving option. It requires a lot of research to locate the appropriate components and purchase tools and equipment to assemble the truck. So, DIY modifications are not supported, and you need to refrain from working with such contractors.
Conclusion
You'll need to figure out what kinds of excavation trucks are accessible and appropriate for your project. For various kinds of excavation tasks, there are a variety of models to choose from. The model you select will be influenced by the kind of terrain you're working on. A hydrovac truck that works well on clay or soft soil, for example, will vary from one that operates best on concrete or rocky terrain. Finally, there are a few factors to bear in mind while opting for a hydro excavation truck. Trucks with larger tank capacities can cut the cost in the long run. When properly operated, a hydro vac truck can save the surrounding soil from unnecessary damages.
