Hydrovac Truck Types: Combo vs. Hydroexcavator
Not all hydrovac trucks are the same. Here's how the major classes differ — combo, dedicated, recycling — and what jobs each is built for.
Combo Trucks (Vacuum + Sewer Cleaner)
Combo trucks combine vacuum excavation with sewer cleaning capability — they have the high-pressure water system, the vacuum hose, AND the sewer-line cleaning hose with rotating nozzles. Common chassis: Vactor 2100 series, Vac-Con V-Series, GapVax. These are the most flexible hydrovac trucks and dominate the municipal and utility-contractor market.
Dedicated Hydroexcavators
Dedicated hydrovac trucks (no sewer cleaning) optimize for vacuum excavation throughput. They typically have larger debris tanks (12–16 cubic yards vs combo's 10–12), higher water pressure, and longer reach hoses. Common in the oil & gas sector. Models: Super Products Mud Dog, Vactor HXX, Tornado F-series.
Recycling Hydroexcavators
Recycling units separate the slurry on-board — water gets filtered, cleaned, and reused, drastically reducing water consumption and disposal volume. Useful in remote locations, on long projects, and where disposal logistics drive cost. Higher upfront purchase price but much lower per-job operating cost.
Trailer-Mount Systems
Smaller PTO-driven or self-contained trailer units provide hydrovac capability on light-duty truck platforms. Limited tank capacity (3–8 cubic yards) but excellent in tight urban environments and for short-duration jobs. Common in residential and light-commercial work.
Picking the Right Truck
For most utility-contractor work: a 12-yard combo truck handles 90% of jobs. For oil & gas pipeline exposure: dedicated hydroexcavators with 14–16 yard tanks and 5,000 PSI pressure. For municipal storm system work: combo trucks with the sewer-cleaning side. For remote or extended-duration projects: recycling units.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big are debris tanks on hydrovac trucks?
Standard combo trucks: 10–12 cubic yards. Dedicated hydroexcavators: 12–16 yards. Trailer-mount systems: 3–8 yards. Larger tanks mean fewer trips to dump and more productive on-site time but require Class A or specialized chassis.
How much water does a hydrovac truck carry?
Standard freshwater capacity is 1,200–1,500 gallons. Larger units carry 2,000+. Burn rate during active excavation is typically 50–80 gallons per minute, so most trucks need access to hydrant or water-truck refill within 1–3 hours of continuous operation.
What's the difference between PTO and dedicated systems?
PTO-driven systems run off the truck's engine via a power take-off — simpler, cheaper, but limit the truck's mobility during operation. Dedicated systems have their own engine and pump — higher capital cost but the truck can move while the system is running, useful for urban work.
Related Guides
- Hydrovac Cost: 2026 Pricing Guide
What hydrovac actually costs in 2026, broken down by truck class, project type, region, and the cost drivers that move the price by 2× or more.
- Hydrovac Equipment Guide: Pumps, Nozzles, Hoses, and Boom Systems
A hydrovac truck is a system, not a tool. Here's how each major component — pump, nozzle, blower, hose, boom — shapes what the truck can do.
- Hydrovac Pricing 2026: Industry Benchmark Report
A 2026 snapshot of hydrovac pricing across truck class, region, project type, and timing. Updated monthly as quote data accumulates.
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