Explore tools, methods and official documentation across the field-work lifecycle.
Browse by tool type and task. Documentation sources appear alphabetically with equal prominence; inclusion is not an endorsement or a complete supplier list.
10 equipment categories across 6 workflows
01
Detect & locate
Cable and pipe locating
Receivers, transmitters, signal clamps and accessories used in utility-locating workflows. Start with the method and the equipment you have, then open the matching documentation.
What to keep in mindA receiver response is evidence to interpret; equipment capabilities and compatible accessories vary by model.
Links identify documentation sources, not recommendations. Source passages checked November 14, 2026. Individual manuals and equipment performance have not been independently evaluated.
Leica Geosystems · Utility detection and mapping resources
Detection Solutions: category links for Cable Locators and Utility Detection Radar; mapping and verification navigation; What is Detection webinar link.
Directory scope only. No product ranking, performance guarantee or assertion that equipment alone confirms all utilities.
Radiodetection · Locating knowledge base and documentation
Knowledge Base sections: Locating Buried Utilities, Precision Locators, Avoidance tools, Mapping Solutions and Accessories.
Directory reviewed; individual model instructions and performance have not been evaluated. Match any manual to the equipment and revision in use.
RIDGID · Utility locating equipment and accessories
Utility Locating listing: receivers, line transmitters, inductive signal clamp and adapters.
Directory scope only. Listed products are not ranked or recommended; model-specific compatibility and procedures require the applicable documentation.
Vivax-Metrotech · Locating and inspection knowledge center
Knowledge Center download categories and training links; linked all-downloads index includes receivers, transmitters, ferrous detectors, cameras and accessories.
Documentation entrypoint only. Check exact model and accessory compatibility; depth, accuracy and operating settings are not evaluated here.
Ground-penetrating radar
Radar systems, field visualization and interpretation resources for investigating subsurface features and utility routes.
What to keep in mindGround conditions affect the response. A radar result does not guarantee that every utility has been detected or identified.
Links identify documentation sources, not recommendations. Source passages checked November 14, 2026. Individual manuals and equipment performance have not been independently evaluated.
Federal Highway Administration · Ground-penetrating radar: what the response means
Underground Utilities — GPR: Target of Investigation and table 1, including the site-specific response note.
Response is site-dependent. A capability table is not a guarantee that every utility will be detected, identified or assigned a reliable depth.
GSSI · GPR manuals, support & training
Support page navigation: Download Resources, FAQs, GSSI Academy and Utility products.
Directory navigation reviewed; individual manuals, courses and product performance have not been evaluated here.
Leica Geosystems · Utility detection and mapping resources
Detection Solutions: category links for Cable Locators and Utility Detection Radar; mapping and verification navigation; What is Detection webinar link.
Directory scope only. No product ranking, performance guarantee or assertion that equipment alone confirms all utilities.
Utility Locating navigation: Locate & Mark, In-Field Visualization, SUM/SUE, Maps/Reports, Additional Resources and Related Products; introductory workflow passage.
Category and documentation entrypoint only. Marketing claims about detection, depth, completeness and damage reduction have not been adopted or independently validated.
Magnetic and ferrous-object detection
Documentation for magnetic locating and ferrous-detection equipment, kept distinct from cable-and-pipe signal tracing.
What to keep in mindConfirm the target materials and sensing method in the exact model documentation. Different types of detector are not interchangeable.
Links identify documentation sources, not recommendations. Source passages checked November 14, 2026. Individual manuals and equipment performance have not been independently evaluated.
Schonstedt · Magnetic and pipe-locating equipment directory
Products directory and navigation: Magnetic Locators, Pipe & Cable, Training & Support and Download Manuals.
Category navigation reviewed. Individual product performance and comparative marketing claims are not adopted.
Vivax-Metrotech · Locating and inspection knowledge center
Knowledge Center download categories and training links; linked all-downloads index includes receivers, transmitters, ferrous detectors, cameras and accessories.
Documentation entrypoint only. Check exact model and accessory compatibility; depth, accuracy and operating settings are not evaluated here.
02
Map & document
GNSS, field mapping and utility records
Positioning equipment, mobile data capture and utility-record references for connecting observations with coordinates and attributes.
What to keep in mindA coordinate alone does not establish the identity of a buried asset. Preserve the observation, interpretation and method used to obtain the position.
Links identify documentation sources, not recommendations. Source passages checked November 14, 2026. Individual manuals and equipment performance have not been independently evaluated.
American Society of Civil Engineers · Utility investigation & as-built records
ASCE announcement dated 20 July 2022: descriptions of 38-22 and 75-22.
Public announcement reviewed, not the full standards. This does not establish compliance, professional qualification or that the 2022 editions are the latest applicable editions for a project.
Leica Geosystems · Utility detection and mapping resources
Detection Solutions: category links for Cable Locators and Utility Detection Radar; mapping and verification navigation; What is Detection webinar link.
Directory scope only. No product ranking, performance guarantee or assertion that equipment alone confirms all utilities.
Topcon · GNSS base and rover resources
Base stations and rovers for positioning on the move: GNSS receivers for base/rover setups and mounting formats; Field Software and Controllers and Topnet Live related resources.
Category navigation reviewed. Model accuracy, correction availability, licenses and compatibility require separate documentation; positioning alone does not establish buried-asset identity.
Trimble · Field data capture & GNSS workflows
TerraFlex overview: cloud/local projects and online/offline workflows.
Software workflow reference only. Receiver accuracy, licenses and configuration must be checked separately; a mapped position does not by itself confirm asset identity.
03
Expose & excavate
Vacuum and hydro excavation
Documentation for exposure and material-handling equipment, including different truck, trailer and skid configurations.
What to keep in mindConsult the exact equipment instructions and applicable utility-owner requirements. This directory supplies no universal excavation settings.
Links identify documentation sources, not recommendations. Source passages checked November 14, 2026. Individual manuals and equipment performance have not been independently evaluated.
Ditch Witch · Underground construction equipment manuals
Equipment Manuals: current-model sections, Parts Lookup and older-document access explanation.
The directory was reviewed, not every linked manual. Match the document to the exact equipment before use.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration · Working around underground installations
Read the applicable requirements in context alongside state and local rules. This overview supplies no universal waiting period, tolerance zone or permission to dig.
Vac-Con · Hydro-excavation equipment resources
Hydro Excavators page: Vacuum, Water, Payload and Filtration sections; Explore Our Hydro Machine Lineup and truck/trailer links.
Category entrypoint only. Broad marketing claims about damage-free excavation, suitability and performance have not been adopted. Exact equipment instructions and applicable utility-owner requirements need separate review.
Vermeer · Vacuum excavation & material handling
Vacuum Excavators introductory description and equipment-format navigation.
Manufacturer category reference, not an operating procedure. Model settings and utility-owner restrictions require separate review; marketing language about damage prevention is not a guarantee.
04
Drill & install
Trenchers, plows and installation machinery
Manual and equipment-family directories covering trenching, plowing, attachments and related underground installation equipment.
What to keep in mindA category listing does not establish suitability for a site or compatibility between a machine and an attachment.
Links identify documentation sources, not recommendations. Source passages checked November 14, 2026. Individual manuals and equipment performance have not been independently evaluated.
Ditch Witch · Underground construction equipment manuals
Equipment Manuals: current-model sections, Parts Lookup and older-document access explanation.
The directory was reviewed, not every linked manual. Match the document to the exact equipment before use.
Utility Installation introduction and All Equipment category links.
A family directory explains available equipment types, not suitability for a particular site. Model selection, tooling compatibility and operating limits need their own documentation.
Directional drilling and supporting systems
References for directional drilling, tracking, tooling and supporting systems such as fluid mixing.
What to keep in mindUse applicable equipment documentation, training and site planning. The federal bulletin is safety context, not a substitute for a model-specific manual.
Links identify documentation sources, not recommendations. Source passages checked November 14, 2026. Individual manuals and equipment performance have not been independently evaluated.
Ditch Witch · Underground construction equipment manuals
Equipment Manuals: current-model sections, Parts Lookup and older-document access explanation.
The directory was reviewed, not every linked manual. Match the document to the exact equipment before use.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration · HDD equipment, tracking & utility-strike prevention
2018 safety-information bulletin, not an equipment manual. It does not establish model settings or replace site-specific planning, training and applicable requirements.
Utility Installation introduction and All Equipment category links.
A family directory explains available equipment types, not suitability for a particular site. Model selection, tooling compatibility and operating limits need their own documentation.
05
Inspect & test
Pipe inspection and sonde locating
Camera systems, inspection records and sonde-location documentation for investigating pipes and drains.
What to keep in mindMatch cameras, sondes, receivers and accessories to their documentation. Inspection imagery and a located signal answer different questions.
Links identify documentation sources, not recommendations. Source passages checked November 14, 2026. Individual manuals and equipment performance have not been independently evaluated.
RIDGID · Pipe inspection cameras & sonde locating
Diagnostics, Inspection & Locating category descriptions, including SeeSnake and sonde locating.
Category descriptions reviewed. Camera, sonde and receiver compatibility and inspection interpretation require the exact equipment documentation.
Vivax-Metrotech · Locating and inspection knowledge center
Knowledge Center download categories and training links; linked all-downloads index includes receivers, transmitters, ferrous detectors, cameras and accessories.
Documentation entrypoint only. Check exact model and accessory compatibility; depth, accuracy and operating settings are not evaluated here.
Fiber testing and diagnostics
OTDR documentation and explanatory resources for investigating events along a fiber link and recording test results.
What to keep in mindFiber-link diagnostics do not locate the geographic route of a buried cable. Test setup and interpretation depend on the equipment and task.
Links identify documentation sources, not recommendations. Source passages checked November 14, 2026. Individual manuals and equipment performance have not been independently evaluated.
EXFO · OTDR and fiber test documentation
OTDR/iOLM product directory: Download spec sheet and User manual links; FastReporter description covers fiber-test analysis and reports.
Directory links reviewed, not the linked manuals in full. No test settings, instrument comparisons or measured performance claims are supplied.
Fluke Networks · Fiber diagnostics: understanding an OTDR
OTDR guide: What Is an OTDR? explanatory passage.
Fiber-link diagnostics are distinct from finding the geographic route of buried cable. No instrument comparison, test setup or certification result is supplied.
06
Protect the crew
Excavation and confined-space protection
Official requirements covering excavation protective systems and equipment functions in permit-required confined-space programs.
What to keep in mindThese regulatory references do not select a protective system or authorize entry. Read the complete applicable requirements with qualified personnel.
Links identify documentation sources, not recommendations. Source passages checked November 14, 2026. Individual manuals and equipment performance have not been independently evaluated.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration · Excavation protective systems
29 CFR 1926.652(a)–(c), including tabulated-data and design provisions.
This is a route to the governing text, not a shield-sizing or soil-classification tool. Project conditions and the applicable competent-person or engineering requirements need separate assessment.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration · Permit-space equipment & protection
29 CFR 1926.1204(d)(1)–(9), equipment provisions.
This directory does not determine whether entry is permitted or specify a monitoring or rescue procedure. Instrument selection and the complete applicable program require qualified review.
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Match the reference to the equipment
Use the exact model, accessories and document revision when looking up operating instructions. This directory organizes selected equipment families and official references; it does not rank products, compare performance or cover every specialty.