If you’re in the market for a vacuum excavator, you already know the category. You need to dig safely around buried utilities, expose lines without damaging them, work in tight spaces, and keep your crew productive all day. The question isn’t whether vacuum excavation is the right method — it is. The question is which machine fits your specific work.
Haaker Underground carries three major vacuum excavator brands: TRUVAC, Ring-O-Matic, and Pacific Tek. Each has a different design philosophy, a different target customer, and a different set of jobs it was built to handle. Pick the right one and it becomes a workhorse. Pick the wrong one and you’ll spend every job compensating for a machine that wasn’t designed for what you’re asking it to do.
Here’s a straightforward breakdown of all three brands, where each performs best, and how to match the right machine to your operation.
TRUVAC Vacuum Excavators
The Brand at a Glance
TRUVAC is purpose-built for precision vacuum excavation across a wide range of job types. The lineup includes several distinct models, each designed for a specific scope of work — from compact units that don’t require a CDL to full-size machines built for high-volume production digging.
Key Models
TRUVAC Paradigm: The Paradigm is the standout option for crews who need a compact, highly maneuverable vacuum excavator that doesn’t require a commercial driver’s license. It’s built for sub-compact access in urban environments, tight right-of-ways, and jobsites where a full-size hydrovac simply can’t go. If your crew is working on residential utility locates, urban infrastructure projects, or any job where space is the constraint, the Paradigm removes that barrier entirely.
TRUVAC HXX: The HXX is the full-size production machine. It features a 22-foot boom with 320-degree rotation, giving operators the reach and flexibility to dig from a single setup position without constantly repositioning the truck. Tank capacity runs from 12 to 15 cubic yards depending on configuration. For municipalities and contractors running high-volume excavation schedules, the HXX is the machine that earns its keep on daily production work.
TRUVAC FLXX: The FLXX sits in the mid-range. At 10 cubic yards and with 340-degree rotation, it delivers more tank capacity and a wider swing arc than entry-level units while staying more manageable than a full production machine. It’s a strong choice for operations that need versatility across a variety of job sizes without committing to the full footprint of the HXX.
TRUVAC Prodigy: The Prodigy is the entry-level option for operations that need to add vacuum excavation capability without a large capital outlay. It covers the fundamentals well and works for lighter-duty applications.
Where TRUVAC Excels
TRUVAC stands out for the breadth of its lineup. No matter what your operation looks like, there’s a model designed for it. The Paradigm’s non-CDL configuration is genuinely unique in the market and opens up crew deployment options that other brands don’t offer. The DigRight technology on select TRUVAC models also helps operators optimize water pressure and vacuum performance on the fly, reducing utility damage risk on sensitive excavations.
TRUVAC is the right choice when:
- Non-CDL operation is a crew staffing priority
- Compact access to tight urban or residential jobsites is required
- High-volume production excavation demands a full-size machine with a long boom
- The operation spans multiple job types and needs model options for different scopes
- Technology features like DigRight are important for sensitive utility work
The Trade-off
The TRUVAC lineup is broad, which means the decision process is longer. You’ll want to be specific about your job profile before choosing a model. The right TRUVAC for a municipal utility crew looks different from the right one for a residential contractor.
Ring-O-Matic Vacuum Excavators
The Brand at a Glance
Ring-O-Matic has been building vacuum excavation equipment for decades. The brand is known in the contractor community as a reliable, no-nonsense workhorse — equipment that gets on the truck, gets to the job, and performs without drama.
What Sets Ring-O-Matic Apart
Ring-O-Matic covers a wide range of tank sizes, from 150-gallon units for small utility work up to 3,000-gallon models for larger-scale excavation projects. That range means the brand can serve a diverse set of customers, from small utility contractors who need a compact unit on a pickup or trailer to larger operations running dedicated hydrovac trucks on daily production work.
The brand’s reputation is built on durability and simplicity. Ring-O-Matic machines are designed to be maintained and serviced in the field, which matters when your crew is working in remote areas or when the nearest service center is hours away. Operators who run Ring-O-Matic units consistently cite the straightforward controls and reliable performance as the reason they stay with the brand.
Ring-O-Matic is also a strong fit for precise utility locating applications. The combination of controlled vacuum pressure and operator-friendly controls makes it a practical tool for pot-holing and slot trenching around buried infrastructure where precision matters as much as speed.
Ring-O-Matic is the right choice when:
- Reliability and low-maintenance operation are the top priorities
- The operation ranges from small utility work to medium-scale excavation
- Remote or field-based work makes serviceability a critical factor
- Precision utility locating is a core part of the job scope
- A range of tank sizes is needed to match different job scales
The Trade-off
Ring-O-Matic’s strength is its simplicity and durability, not its technology feature set. If your operation requires the most advanced onboard controls or a non-CDL configuration, you’ll want to look at the TRUVAC lineup instead.
Pacific Tek Vacuum Excavators
The Brand at a Glance
Pacific Tek is built around versatility. The brand offers a range of configurations designed to cover the widest possible variety of applications, from non-destructive utility excavation to catch basin cleaning and combination jetting work. For operations that need one machine to handle multiple job types, Pacific Tek delivers that flexibility.
What Sets Pacific Tek Apart
Pacific Tek’s differentiator is its configuration flexibility. The lineup is designed to accommodate a wide range of budgets and applications, making it accessible for operations that are adding vacuum excavation capability for the first time as well as established fleets looking to expand their service offerings.
The catch basin cleaning capability is a meaningful advantage for municipal and contractor operations that service stormwater infrastructure in addition to utility excavation. Instead of operating a separate vacuum truck for catch basin work, a Pacific Tek unit can handle both, which changes the math on fleet utilization and equipment cost for the right operation.
Pacific Tek units are also well-suited for non-destructive utility locating work, providing controlled air or water excavation around sensitive buried infrastructure. For contractors whose core business is utility locating and pot-holing, Pacific Tek’s combination of excavation and auxiliary cleaning functions makes it a more productive tool per unit than a dedicated excavation-only machine.
Pacific Tek is the right choice when:
- The operation covers multiple job types, including utility excavation and catch basin cleaning
- A range of configurations and price points is needed to match budget constraints
- Non-destructive excavation around sensitive utilities is a primary application
- Fleet expansion or first-time vacuum excavation capability is the goal
- Multi-function versatility is more valuable than specialized production performance
The Trade-off
Pacific Tek’s versatility is its strength, but specialized applications may be better served by a purpose-built machine. For high-volume production excavation on a dedicated schedule, the TRUVAC HXX or a Ring-O-Matic production unit will typically deliver higher throughput.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | TRUVAC | Ring-O-Matic | Pacific Tek |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best application | Broad range, precision to production | Utility locating, contractor work | Multi-function, utility and catch basin |
| Non-CDL option | Yes (Paradigm) | No | No |
| Tank size range | 4–15 yd³ (model dependent) | 150–3,000 gallons | Varies by configuration |
| Boom reach | Up to 22 ft (HXX) | Model dependent | Model dependent |
| Catch basin cleaning | Limited | Limited | Yes |
| Best for municipalities | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best for contractors | Yes | Yes — contractor workhorse | Yes |
| Technology features | DigRight, advanced controls | Straightforward, field-serviceable | Flexible configurations |
| Entry-level option | Prodigy | Smaller tank models | Yes |
How to Choose: Three Questions to Start With
1. What is your crew’s CDL situation?
If non-CDL operation is a staffing requirement or a strategic advantage for your operation, the TRUVAC Paradigm is the only model in the lineup that delivers it. That single factor narrows the decision quickly for many contractors and municipalities.
2. What job types do you run most?
If your work is primarily utility pot-holing and slot trenching, any of the three brands will perform. If you need to fold in catch basin cleaning, Pacific Tek has the edge. If you’re running high-volume daily production excavation, the TRUVAC HXX is built for that throughput. If field serviceability and reliability on remote work are the priority, Ring-O-Matic has the reputation to back it up.
3. What is your budget and fleet strategy?
Pacific Tek’s range of configurations makes it accessible across a wider range of capital budgets. Ring-O-Matic’s durability means a lower total cost of ownership on high-use units over time. TRUVAC’s lineup offers specific models matched to specific scopes, so you’re not paying for capacity you don’t need.
Talk to Our Team Before You Spec
Haaker Underground carries all three brands and our team does this every day. We’ve put vacuum excavators to work across California, Nevada, and Arizona in municipal, contractor, and industrial applications. We understand the regulatory environment, the jobsite conditions, and the operational demands of this region.
We’re not here to push you toward the most expensive unit. We’re here to make sure the machine you put on your crew’s truck actually does the job it needs to do.
View TRUVAC Models | Browse Ring-O-Matic | See Pacific Tek Options | Contact Our Team
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between TRUVAC, Ring-O-Matic, and Pacific Tek vacuum excavators?
All three are non-destructive vacuum excavation brands carried by Haaker Underground. TRUVAC is known for its broad model lineup including the non-CDL Paradigm and the full-size HXX production machine. Ring-O-Matic is a contractor-trusted workhorse valued for reliability and field serviceability across a range of tank sizes. Pacific Tek emphasizes configuration versatility and is a strong choice for operations that need both utility excavation and catch basin cleaning capability from a single unit.
Which vacuum excavator does not require a CDL?
The TRUVAC Paradigm is designed for non-CDL operation. Its sub-compact configuration allows operators without a commercial driver’s license to run the machine, which expands crew deployment flexibility for contractors and municipalities managing certification requirements.
Which vacuum excavator is best for utility locating and pot-holing?
All three brands are well-suited for utility locating and pot-holing. Ring-O-Matic has a strong reputation for precision utility locating applications. TRUVAC’s DigRight technology on select models adds operator controls for optimizing pressure and vacuum performance around sensitive buried infrastructure.
Can a vacuum excavator also clean catch basins?
Pacific Tek units are designed with combination functionality that covers both vacuum excavation and catch basin cleaning. This makes Pacific Tek a strong option for municipalities and contractors who service stormwater infrastructure alongside utility excavation work. TRUVAC and Ring-O-Matic are primarily excavation-focused.
What size vacuum excavator do I need?
Size depends on your typical job scope. For compact urban access or non-CDL requirements, a smaller unit like the TRUVAC Paradigm fits well. For high-volume daily production work, a full-size unit like the TRUVAC HXX (12 to 15 yd³) delivers the tank capacity and boom reach to stay productive across long shifts. Ring-O-Matic’s 150 to 3,000-gallon range covers everything from small utility spot work to larger excavation projects. Contact Haaker Underground to match tank size and configuration to your specific routes and job types.
Haaker Underground serves municipalities, contractors, and industrial operators across California, Nevada, and Arizona with vacuum excavation equipment from TRUVAC, Ring-O-Matic, and Pacific Tek. Nobody works harder for you.