Category: vacuum trucks

For industries that deal with waste management, hydro-excavation, and environmental cleanup, vacuum trucks are vital assets. These machines handle demanding jobs efficiently, from clearing sewer lines to cleaning up hazardous spills. But while new units can be costly, buying used provides businesses with a practical path to strong returns on investment (ROI).

At Big Truck Equipment, we’ve helped contractors and municipalities nationwide find the right used vacuum trucks in California and beyond. If you’re looking to make the most of your investment, here are key tips to ensure your ROI stays high.

 

Choose the Right Truck for Your Operations

Not all vacuum trucks are built the same. Some are designed for industrial-scale projects, while others are tailored for municipal or construction work. Matching the truck’s capacity, suction power, and tank size to your workload ensures you’re not overspending on features you don’t need – or underspending on equipment that won’t meet demands.

For example, buyers searching [...]

In heavy industries like construction, oil and gas, and municipal services, cleanup is more than an afterthought – it’s a vital part of maintaining safety, compliance, and efficiency. Among the most effective tools for this job are vacuum trucks. These powerful vehicles remove liquid waste, sludge, hazardous spills, and debris with speed and precision, making them indispensable for modern operations.

At Big Truck Equipment, we’ve supplied companies nationwide with dependable vacuum trucks for sale that handle the toughest cleanup challenges. Here’s why these trucks are considered essential in industrial settings.

 

Tackling Hazardous Waste Safely

Industrial sites often produce waste that can’t be handled by ordinary equipment. Vacuum trucks are built for the safe containment and transport of hazardous materials. Their sealed tanks and powerful suction systems ensure that dangerous waste doesn’t contaminate the worksite or surrounding environment.

This capability is particularly important for municipalities and contractors working under strict environmental regulations. Whether it’s oil sludge, [...]

When purchasing a used bucket truck, cost and functionality often take center stage. But while price and performance are important, safety should never be overlooked. Bucket trucks operate in high-risk environments – elevated work zones, active traffic areas, and near power lines. Without the right safety features, these machines can put both crews and projects at risk.

At Big Truck Equipment, we believe that safety and reliability go hand in hand. That’s why every unit we sell undergoes a rigorous inspection process. If you’re evaluating used bucket trucks in California or beyond, here are the key safety features you can’t afford to ignore.

 

Fall Protection Systems

The most obvious hazard when working from a bucket is the risk of falling. Quality trucks come equipped with:

• Harness attachment points: Workers should have secure anchorage inside the bucket.
• Guardrails and gates: Proper enclosures prevent accidental slips.
• Bucket liners: These add insulation and extra grip, further [...]

In industries ranging from construction and waste management to oil and gas, vacuum trucks play a vital role in keeping worksites safe, compliant, and efficient. These powerful machines handle everything from removing liquid waste to cleaning up hazardous materials. But while new vacuum trucks can be appealing, their high upfront costs often make them out of reach for many businesses. That’s why more contractors and municipalities are turning to used equipment.

At Big Truck Equipment, we’ve spent years helping companies get the right trucks without unnecessary financial strain. If you’re searching for reliable vacuum trucks for sale in California, here’s why a used unit might be the smarter move for your bottom line.

 

Financial Advantages Without Sacrificing Quality

A brand-new vacuum truck can cost well into six figures, putting pressure on budgets. By choosing a pre-owned model, businesses can enjoy significant savings upfront while still accessing dependable performance. These savings allow companies to reinvest in [...]

For municipalities, construction companies, and private contractors, keeping streets and worksites clean isn’t just about appearances – it’s a matter of safety, compliance, and efficiency. A well-functioning street sweeper can help prevent debris-related accidents, improve air quality, and extend the life of road surfaces. However, purchasing a brand-new sweeper can be a costly investment, often stretching beyond the budget of many organizations. That’s why many buyers look toward used models as a cost-effective alternative.

Choosing a used street sweeper makes sense when you want to balance performance with affordability. Yet, like any heavy-duty vehicle, sweepers are complex machines with multiple systems working in tandem. Failing to inspect key mechanical and functional components before buying can lead to expensive breakdowns, unexpected downtime, and even safety risks for operators and pedestrians.

At Big Truck Equipment, we’ve spent more than two decades helping businesses and municipalities make smart, reliable equipment purchases. We understand the unique challenges our customers face [...]

Excavation work remains one of the most hazardous activities in the construction industry, with over 6,000 injuries resulting from excavation accidents reported each year in the United States. These incidents often stem from utility strikes, cave-ins, and equipment mishandling, highlighting the urgent need for safer excavation methods. One proven solution is the use of used vacuum trucks for safe excavation, which provide a non-destructive, precise, and safer alternative to traditional digging equipment.

For contractors and municipalities aiming to enhance workplace safety without overspending, used vacuum trucks for sale provide an ideal balance between performance and affordability.

Let’s learn more about this.

What Are Vacuum Trucks and How Do They Work?

Vacuum trucks, also known as vac trucks or suction excavators, are specialized vehicles designed to safely remove debris, soil, sludge, or liquid using high-powered suction. They use either air (dry vac) or water (hydro vac) to break up soil and vacuum it into a containment tank. This [...]

Urban roads carry more than just vehicles. Every day, thousands of pounds of dirt, debris, chemicals, and litter build up across city streets. According to studies, road dust alone can account for nearly 30% of the fine particulate matter (PM10) found in urban air. These particles are linked to respiratory problems, clogged storm drains, and faster wear on roads. Yet, one machine continues to work quietly in the background, making cities cleaner and roads last longer—street sweepers.

Street sweepers in urban infrastructure are not just about appearance. They’re about air quality, water safety, and preserving multi-million-dollar road investments. For municipalities, contractors, and companies managing private properties, overlooking their role can mean higher costs in maintenance, more frequent road repairs, and potential public health concerns.

So, let’s look at why used sweeper trucks are more than just a cleaning tool and why choosing the right truck can save both cities and businesses from hidden costs.

Street Sweepers Reduce Airborne [...]

The U.S. generated over 292 million tons of municipal solid waste in 2018 alone, according to the EPA. Add to that the waste from industrial sites, sewers, oilfields, and construction zones—and the cleanup challenge becomes massive. That’s where vacuum trucks come in. However, new units can put serious pressure on budgets.

That’s why more companies and municipalities are looking at pre-owned vacuum trucks to meet demand without overspending. The catch? Not every used unit is worth the savings. If you don’t know what to look for, you could end up with a truck that underperforms, breaks down, or costs a fortune in repairs.

Let’s break down the top features you should be evaluating before buying a used vacuum truck—so your team can handle heavy jobs without setbacks.

1. Suction Power (CFM and Inches of Mercury)

Suction is the heart of every vacuum truck. Look at the two main metrics:

• CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)– How much [...]

Hitting a gas line during excavation can cost lives—not just money. According to the Common Ground Alliance, over 532,000 excavation-related utility damages were reported in the U.S. in 2019 alone, costing around $30 billion.

The root cause is traditional digging methods that tear through the ground without seeing what’s underneath.

That’s where vacuum trucks are perfect for precision excavation.

Why Traditional Excavation Misses the Mark

Backhoes and shovels might be fast, but they’re blunt tools in a job that demands accuracy. When utilities like fiber optics, gas lines, or water mains are buried just inches below the surface, even a minor miscalculation can cause a major setback.

Mechanical digging can:

• Severe utility lines.
• Delay timelines.
• Inflate repair costs.
• Put workers and nearby residents at serious risk.

Manual digging is safer—but painfully slow. That’s why smart contractors are switching to vacuum trucks for precision excavation—specifically for hydro-excavation.

How Vacuum Trucks Make Digging Smarter

Vacuum trucks use [...]

Construction margins are tight. And with inflation pushing equipment prices up by nearly 20% since 2020 to March 2023, many crews are rethinking their spending strategy.

Yet one question keeps coming up: Can used drills and diggers for construction really keep up with demanding projects?

If you’ve ever shelled out top dollar for new equipment only to watch it sit idle during off-peak seasons—or worse, break down mid-job—you’re not alone. Today’s construction pros are done paying full price for what they can get for less—without compromising output or uptime.

Choosing Used Drills and Diggers For Construction That Work As Hard As You Do

Buying used isn’t about settling—it’s about buying smart. But it only works if you know what to look for.

Here’s what matters:

1. Service History Over Paint Jobs

Shiny doesn’t mean dependable. Ask for maintenance records and check for signs of frequent repairs or major overhauls. Good records mean fewer surprises on the jobsite.

2. [...]