Vacuum Excavation
Non-destructive excavation using pressurised water and a high-flow vacuum to safely remove soil and expose buried infrastructure — reducing the risk of service strikes on your site.
What is vacuum excavation?
Vacuum excavation combines pressurised water to loosen soil with a powerful vacuum system that lifts the resulting slurry into the truck's debris tank. Because the ground is broken down with water rather than mechanical cutting, the method is well suited to working around buried pipes, cables, conduits and other sensitive assets.
The result is a controlled, lower-impact excavation that exposes underground services for visual verification — helping contractors, councils and utilities confirm what is actually in the ground before they commit to conventional digging.
Common applications
- Exposing buried gas, water, sewer and power assets
- Daylighting and visual verification of underground services
- Trenching in congested service corridors
- Pit and valve box clean-outs
- Site investigation and service proving before excavation
- Removing spoil from tight or restricted-access areas
Suitable project types
- Civil construction and subdivision works
- Utility upgrades and renewals
- Telecommunications and NBN installations
- Road and rail infrastructure projects
- Council maintenance and capital works
- Agricultural drainage and irrigation installation
The typical work process
- 1
Scope & plan
Review service plans, site access and the assets in the work zone.
- 2
Mobilise
Our vacuum excavation unit and experienced operator mobilise to your regional site.
- 3
Excavate
Pressurised water loosens soil while the vacuum lifts spoil into the debris tank.
- 4
Verify & reinstate
Exposed services are visually verified, then the site is reinstated as agreed.
Safety and planning considerations
- Request current service plans before work begins
- Visually confirm exposed services rather than assuming depth
- Operate with a spotter in live traffic or service corridors
- Maintain exclusion zones around the truck and hose
Vacuum excavation reduces the risk of service strikes. It does not guarantee zero damage — accurate service plans and planning remain essential.
Equipment details
- Truck
- Hino FM2632 6x4 Platform
- Class
- High-Capacity Vacuum Excavation & NDD Unit
- Vacuum capability
- 4,162 m³/h (2,450 CFM) vacuum performance
- Water pressure
- 32 LPM at 3,600 PSI (248 Bar)
- Twin operation
- Capability for twin NDD operation
Service area
Based in Tamworth, we mobilise across New England, North West NSW and the Upper Hunter. Mobilisation depends on project requirements, location and scheduling — contact us to confirm availability for your site.
Frequently asked questions
Need vacuum excavation on your site?
Call 0418 790 274 or request a quote with your project details.
Planning excavation work around underground services?
Talk to a regional vacuum excavation specialist. We'll help you scope the work, confirm equipment suitability and arrange mobilisation.