Choosing the right construction equipment for
a project always involves many considerations. You need to determine not only
which tools you’ll need, but also precisely which type of each will be best
suited for the job. You may have determined that you need an excavator, but now
you need to make sure you get the right one.
Sure, excavators all perform the same key
functions, but they vary in size and capability. Identifying the perfect
excavator for a job can take a bit more time and patience, but it will be worth
the effort once you get set up on the job site. In this article, we’ve compiled
4 key tips to help you choose the right excavator for your job.
1. Define the Budget
The first consideration when it comes to
finding the right excavator is budget. In an ideal world, the backers of a
construction project would have an unlimited budget, and acquiring the ideal
tools for every job would make everything go very smoothly.
Of course, that’s not usually the case, so
your budget may limit your options upfront. However, it’s important to
understand the real value of finding the best excavator for the job. Put
simply, getting an excavator that’s smaller or underpowered for a job may save
a little upfront, but could ultimately cost more in the time it takes to
complete a task, compared to one with the proper capabilities.
Be sure to take all of these costs into
consideration when finalizing your budget, and do your best to allocate
resources for the right excavator.
2.
Identify Your Needs
When looking for excavators, it’s important to
identify a model with a configuration that matches your construction
environment. A demolition excavator that has the capacity to tear down the top
of a multi-storey building is likely going to be overkill if used to flatten
some sand dunes at a suburban beach.
On the other hand, an amphibious excavator
that can operate safely in and around water will have a limited use if its arm
doesn’t have additional joints to move around a seawall or dig a trench to
specification. Knowing your project needs at the start of a search will ensure
you have a clear idea of the particular excavator needed.
3.
Consider the Attachments Required
If you need the
excavator for a specialised task — as opposed to using one for multiple
assignments — it’s useful to note that attachments can alter its capabilities
and the way in which it performs. For instance, An Auger driver attachment
enables an excavators to essentially ‘drill holes’ in the earth whilst a
hydraulic breaker or ‘hammer’ can be used to break rock or concrete.
Even if a
particular excavator seems like the perfect fit on paper, it may not be right
for a particular task. All excavators are tough and reliable pieces of
equipment, but if an attachment will alter its performance, it’s important to
confirm whether you may need one that has more power or another element to
ensure the job can get done right.
4. Know the Variables
When choosing an excavator, it’s also a good
idea to think about any other extras you may need. For example, it’s an
unfortunate reality of construction that sometimes sites are broken into and
construction gear gets damaged. If you’re intending to use your excavator on a
site that won’t be secured overnight, then built-in anti-vandalism components
could be an important feature to have.
Remember the Flexibility Factor
of Renting
Once you’ve decided on the right excavator for
the job, you’ll also need to determine how you’ll be acquiring it. Anyone who
has spent time on a job site knows that it’s impossible to foresee everything
that may happen during a construction project, which is particularly important
to keep in mind when it comes to getting equipment for the job.
One only needs to look at construction in the
state of Victoria as an example of this. In 2018, construction grew over 15% over the year prior, but the
rapid and surprising July 2020 re-introduction of stage 3 coronavirus
restrictions in Melbourne has hindered this trajectory — in what was an already
very hard year for the sector due to the pandemic.
When you rent equipment for a project, you’ll retain
the ability to respond quickly to changing needs. For example, if the project
evolves and suddenly requires a different excavator, it’s easy to return your
current one and make the swap to a new one. If you buy an excavator, on the
other hand, it’s much more difficult to pull off the same switch in a short
period of time.
Keep these tips in mind next time you’re in
the market for an excavator to ensure you’re choosing the right one and acquiring
it in a way that makes sense for your project.
What
other tips help you decide which excavator to pick? Let us know in the comments
below.
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