User Manual

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 2
The Case for Soft Excavation 2
A Brief History 4
Highlighting Differences Between Dry and Hydro Excavation 6
Utility AirSpade Innovations and Features 8
Utility AirSpade Safety Features 12
Hazards & Hidden Costs of Home-Made Tools 13
STANDARD PROCEDURES 14
Pre-Excavation Checklist 14
Underground Utilities – A Crowded Picture 16
– Trenching 18
– Potholing 20
– Keyholing 22
Safe Practices When Excavating Around Utilities 24
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS 26
Air Compressor Basics 26
Air Hose Basics 28
APPENDIX 30
A – 811 Support 30
B – Soil Characteristics 32
C – Color Code for Marking Underground Utility Lines 34
D – Utility AirSpade Technical Specifations 35
E – Further Reading 36
F – Online Resources 37
Glossary 38
Contributors and Bios 40