If you are an amateur house builder like me, sometimes you need to call in the big guns to help you with your construction project. If you need to excavate a large hole, dig a trench or to drill boreholes on your property, you will probably need to hire some heavy equipment. I will be posting lots of useful tips on this blog which I hope will help you to get the best deal when it comes to hiring heavy construction gear. I will review the best types of kit for different jobs, transporting the gear to your site, and providing you with information which will help you to keep your workforce safe.
Excavation is a crucial step when it comes to building structures in your home. It is therefore important to get this step right to ensure the rest of your project is a success and choosing the right excavator is where you should start. Excavators are available in many options designed to accommodate a wide range of construction needs. Hiring the wrong excavator can turn out to be costly and could even delay your project. Therefore, if it's your first time hiring one, here are all the key things you should think about.
Site Conditions
Is the ground uneven, with inclined surfaces and steep ditches? A standard excavator may not be able to manoeuvre easily on such ground. A spider excavator, on the other hand, would be a more suitable option. Unlike standard excavators, spider excavators feature arm-like extensions rather than tracks, These enable them to move easily on uneven ground. If accessibility on your site is a concern, such as for small projects like swimming pool construction in your backyard, you'd want to hire a mini or micro excavator. These are usually smaller versions of standard excavators and are designed for such projects.
Digging Depth and Capacity
Excavators differ in their digging depth. How deep you intend to excavate will help you determine the right one for your needs. However, keep in mind that the deeper you need to dig, the more powerful the excavator will need to be and the higher your rental costs could be.
Digging capacity, on the other hand, refers to the ability of the excavator to dig through materials such as rocks. An evaluation of the ground conditions will help you determine whether you'll be digging through rocks, which will help you choose an excavator designed to handle such tasks.
Accessories
Excavators also come with accessories to make the digging process easier. Some of these accessories include grapples, concrete or rock breakers and compactor wheels. It's worth noting that some of these accessories come at an extra cost. Therefore, to avoid having to deal with unforeseen charges, find out if the accessories are inclusive in the rental quote.
Breakdown Procedure
Knowing what happens in case of a mechanical breakdown is also important when hiring an excavator. While many excavator companies usually send replacement excavators, not all of them deliver on the same day. Therefore, hire from a company that guarantees same-day delivery to prevent project delays.
Contact a provider of earthmoving equipment hire services to learn more today.