Boom

The boom is a critical component of a hydrovac truck that determines the truck's reach and flexibility on the job site. A typical boom extends 8 to 26 feet from the truck and can rotate 180 to 270 degrees, allowing the operator to reach excavation points on either side of the truck and at various distances without repositioning the vehicle.

Boom designs vary between manufacturers. Some use a single telescoping tube, while others use a multi-section articulating arm with hydraulic cylinders at each joint. The dig tube is mounted at the end of the boom, and the vacuum hose runs along or through the boom structure. The operator controls boom movement from a control panel on the side of the truck or via a wireless remote control.

A longer boom reach reduces the need to reposition the truck, saving time on multi-pothole jobs such as utility corridor investigations. However, longer booms add weight, cost, and complexity to the truck. Some trucks offer optional boom extensions or allow the operator to disconnect the dig tube from the boom and use flexible hose for remote digging applications.