Vacuum Truck
A vacuum truck mounts a sealed tank and a vacuum system on a truck chassis to pull liquids, sludge, and debris through a suction hose into the tank. Variants add high-pressure water systems for sewer jetting and hydro excavation.
How it works
A blower or vacuum pump evacuates air from the tank, and atmospheric pressure pushes material up the suction hose into it. A float or shutoff system stops flow before material reaches the vacuum machinery. Tanks discharge by gravity dump, pressure off-loading, or a full-opening rear door on debris bodies. Combination units add a water pump and hose reel: jetting nozzles flush sewer lines back toward the vacuum hose, and hydro excavation lances cut soil that the vacuum immediately removes, exposing buried utilities without mechanical digging.
Types & variants
- Liquid vacuum tankers
- Pump-based systems for septic, holding-tank, and liquid waste transfer.
- Combination sewer cleaners
- Vacuum plus high-pressure jetting for municipal catch basin and line maintenance.
- Hydro excavators
- Pressurized water cutting with vacuum recovery for utility daylighting.
- Industrial air movers
- High-CFM blowers move dry and abrasive material in plant environments.
Key specifications
| Specification | Typical range | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Tank capacity (gal) | Industry models classified by gallon capacity; sizing determines application range. | Sets how much material is collected between off-loading trips. |
| Load capacity (kg) | 317–24,000 kg across cataloged models | Collected material weight the chassis can legally carry—water-weight loads hit limits before tank volume. |
| Engine power (hp) | 24.8–74.3 hp on cataloged auxiliary power units | Drives vacuum and water systems independently of the chassis engine. |
How the industry sizes it
Vacuum trucks are sized by tank volume in gallons. Units up to 2,500 gal serve sumps, catch basins, and small septic pump-outs. Models from 2,500 to 4,000 gal handle standard industrial vac work—tanks, pits, and concrete washout. Trucks above 4,000 gal support bulk liquid and slurry removal with long hauls between dump sites. Chassis GVWR is the real constraint—a 4,000 gal tank of water-weight material exceeds 33,000 lb before the truck itself.
Applications
- Catch basin, manhole, and sewer line cleaning
- Septic, grease trap, and holding-tank service
- Hydro excavation and utility daylighting
- Industrial spill response and tank cleanout
- Construction slurry and drilling-mud removal
Safety & operation
- Bond and ground the truck when handling flammable or combustible liquids.
- Treat tanks as permit-required confined spaces; never enter without a program in place.
- Relieve tank pressure or vacuum before opening doors and fittings.
- Stake out suction hoses under vacuum; a released hose whips with force.
Standards & certifications
- FMCSA · 49 CFR 383.93
- A tank (N) endorsement on the CDL is required for liquid tanks over threshold volumes on public roads.
- OSHA · 29 CFR 1910.146
- Vacuum tanks are permit-required confined spaces during internal cleaning and inspection.
- DOT/PHMSA · 49 CFR 173
- Hazardous material cargo rules apply when collected waste meets hazmat definitions.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between a vacuum truck and a combination unit?
Why does payload matter more than tank size?
What licensing do these trucks require?
Compare popular models
Find by spec →Normalised to the same units. A dash means the figure was not published.
| Model | Load capacity | Engine power |
|---|---|---|
| Ditch Witch HXT30 Truck Vacuum Excavator | 26,455 lb (12,000 kg) | 25 hp |
| Ditch Witch HXT50 Truck Vacuum Excavator | 52,911 lb (24,000 kg) | 49 hp |
| Ditch Witch HXT75 Truck Vacuum Excavator | 52,911 lb (24,000 kg) | 74 hp |
| Super Products Camel Max Series 900 Dump | 2,205 lb (1,000 kg) | - |
| Super Products Camel Max Series 1200 Dump | 3,307 lb (1,500 kg) | - |
| Super Products Camel Max Series 1200 Eject | 3,307 lb (1,500 kg) | - |
Related equipment
Browse by manufacturer
Sources
Every specification is verified against the manufacturer's published data, with the source linked for reference.
All models
82 models · Page 2 of 2 · Every spec cited to source
