Glossary
GPM (Gallons per Minute)
What is GPM (Gallons per Minute)?
GPM (gallons per minute) measures the water flow of a hydrovac's pressure system; combined with PSI it determines how effectively the wand cuts soil during hydro excavation.
GPM describes how many gallons of water the pump delivers each minute to the wand. Together with PSI (pressure), GPM governs the cutting power of the water jet: higher flow moves more material, while pressure concentrates the cutting force.
The right GPM and PSI balance depends on soil type; hard or frozen ground may need more pressure, while loose soil needs less. Water capacity in gallons then limits runtime before refilling. On Vac4Rent, water systems are listed as a GPM at PSI range; request equipment matched to your soil.
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