Precision Excavation

Precision excavation is the defining characteristic of hydrovac technology. Unlike mechanical excavation, which removes soil in large, imprecise bites with a bucket, hydrovac excavation allows the operator to control exactly where and how much soil is removed. The pressurized water jet can be directed to within inches of a target, and the operator can vary water pressure and flow to match the sensitivity of the work.

This level of precision is essential when working around fiber optic cables, gas lines, direct-buried electrical conductors, and other fragile infrastructure. The operator can excavate to within an inch of a utility without touching it, something that is impossible with a mechanical excavator. Precision excavation is also critical for archaeological digs, environmental sampling, and forensic investigations where soil disturbance must be minimized.

The precision of hydrovac excavation is controlled by several factors: water pressure and flow rate, nozzle type and size, operator skill and experience, and the distance from the nozzle to the target surface. Lower pressures and fan-tip nozzles provide the greatest precision, while higher pressures and straight-jet nozzles provide faster material removal at the cost of some precision.