Vacuum excavation and potholing work and crews

Vacuum excavation uses water or air to loosen soil and a vacuum to pull it into a debris tank. It is the safe way to expose buried lines, dig near gas and fiber, and pothole a bore path to confirm depths. It is also used for slot trenching and cleaning out handholes and vaults.

Also searched as: vac truck operator, hydro excavation operator, potholing crew, vacuum excavation technician, daylighting crew.

Who hires for this

Drill crews, fiber primes, gas and electric contractors and engineering firms post the most potholing work. Utilities use vac crews for daylighting on their own projects.

What they ask for

• Hydro or air vac truck or trailer sized for the work
• Operators with CDL where the truck requires one
• A legal place to dump spoils
• Depth and location records with photos for each pothole
• Certificate of insurance with auto coverage
• Cold weather setup if the job runs into winter

How to land more of it

• Say whether you run a truck or a trailer. Some jobs need the capacity of a truck, others need a trailer that fits in a backyard.
• Have a disposal plan. Primes want to know where the spoils go before you start.
• Tidy pothole reports with depths, photos and GPS points get you asked back.
• Drill crews without their own vac are a steady customer. Let them know you are around.

Hydro excavation or air excavation?

Water cuts faster in most soils and is the common choice. Air leaves dry spoils you can often put back in the hole, and it is gentler around some utilities. Many jobs are fine with either, but some owners specify one.

Where do I dump spoils?

It depends on local rules. Wet spoils usually have to go to an approved facility or a site the prime arranges, not just any field. Sort this out before you bid, because disposal can eat into the job.

Do I need a CDL to run a vac truck?

Many vac trucks are heavy enough to need a CDL, often a Class A or B depending on the combination. Smaller trailers can often be towed without one. Check the weights on your specific rig.

How do I find potholing and vac work?

Post a free profile on the TrackOver board with your truck or trailer, capacity and where you dump. Drill crews and primes posting potholing work can pick a crew that is already set up.