Suction excavator

A suction excavator, or vacuum excavator, is a construction vehicle that removes heavy debris or other materials from a hole on land using vacuuming. Suction excavators are meant to be less destructive than regular excavators. The suction excavator uses suction fans for the airflow to suck up the material that is then transported into the holding tank.

Hydro excavation, a type of suction excavator using high-pressure water jets, is sometimes referred to as daylighting, as the underground utilities are exposed to daylight during the process. Some suction excavators also use an air filter.