An excavator is an essential piece of equipment to have at any construction site. You can get the job done quickly and efficiently with the help of this powerful machine.
What Is an Excavator?
An excavator is a type of machine that consists of a bucket at the end of a boom or arm attached to a rotating cab. The cab itself is situated on top of a set of tracks that allow this piece of equipment to move across uneven or muddy terrain without getting stuck easily. You can move the cab and attached boom in a rotating manner to easily manoeuvre and complete any job without frequent, unnecessary repositioning of the entire machine.
This type of construction equipment is essential to any site, no matter the size of the job you are doing. Excavators are used for digging out foundations and ditches needed to lay down pipes and lines. An excavator can also be used to move debris out of the way and grade the ground to prepare the site for building.
Excavators make the job of digging and moving earth and other materials simple. With the addition of specialised attachment hire tools, you can get the exact equipment you need to get your work site ready for building.
Are There Different Types?
Excavators come in different sizes that can be used for a variety of jobs. Some mini excavators start at a compact 1.7 tonnes and range up to a large 48-tonne machine for bigger projects, with many sizes in between.
A smaller excavator can still be a powerful tool. If you are looking for something to dig out a small area, then a mini excavator would be perfect. You will also get the benefit of less noise for those sites that require minimal disruption.
Larger machines are equipped to handle the toughest jobs. You will have all the power you need to dig through hard materials and clear how to build the largest structures. A 48-tonne excavator still retains the mobility of the smaller models. This version is also equipped with an LED monitor in the cab and a rearview camera to help keep you and your workers safe.
Can You Attach Various Tools?
Sometimes a job requires a few additional attachments. The great thing about an excavator is that you can trade out the traditional bucket for something else when you are trying to cut through rock or finish up the site after the majority of the work has been done. Here are some of the many types of attachments to consider:
- Tilt Bucket – Assist is grading tight spots
- Sieve Bucket – Filter materials and separate soil from debris
- Rock Saw – Cut through rock, concrete and other hard materials
- Ripper – Break hard ground and rocks
- Rock Grabs – Pick up stone, timber and other large objects to sort and remove
- Auger Drivers – Dig and drill holes
- Hydraulic Breakers – Breaks up rocks and concrete
- Compaction Wheels and Plates – tamps down soil and materials to an even grade
When the job calls for some specialised activity, an attachment can help you switch gears and complete the task without additional equipment. You can use the same excavator for so many different functions, making it the perfect piece of machinery for most jobs.
Once you start to use an excavator to its full capacity, you will realise just how useful this type of equipment is for any construction site. It’s a versatile tool that will help you complete your job on time and with minimal stress.