Mass Excavation

Mass excavation is fundamentally different from hydrovac excavation in both scale and method. While hydrovac excels at precise, small-volume excavation near utilities, mass excavation moves large quantities of material as efficiently as possible using heavy earthmoving equipment. The two methods are complementary rather than competitive.

On construction projects, hydrovac excavation is typically performed first to locate and expose existing utilities. Once the utility locations are known and marked, mass excavation can proceed with mechanical equipment while maintaining safe clearance distances from the exposed infrastructure. This sequence minimizes utility strike risk without slowing down the overall earthmoving operation.

Mass excavation rates are measured in cubic yards per hour, with large excavators capable of moving hundreds of cubic yards per hour. By contrast, a hydrovac truck might excavate 5 to 15 cubic yards per hour depending on soil conditions. The cost per cubic yard for mass excavation is a fraction of hydrovac excavation, which is why hydrovac is reserved for utility-sensitive areas.