How to Choose Excavator Equipment for Any Digging Project
Renting excavating equipment can ensure you have the heavy-duty machinery you need for your project without having the costs of actually owning, maintaining, and storing this equipment. Renting also gives you the flexibility of having any type of excavating equipment that you need for any type of dig; you can opt for something different according to each jobsite, size of dig, type of soil, and so on. Note a few tips on how to choose excavating equipment for any digging project.
1. Arm length
The arm length will tell you how far an excavator can reach and the depth of any trench or pit you need dug. However, when considering arm length, you need to ensure you take both of these factors into consideration. What this means is that an arm that can extend 18 feet will not be able to dig down 18 feet if the excavator needs to sit 9 feet back from the dig itself. If you're renting an excavator that needs to stay back from the dig itself because of soft soil or because of digging in water, you'll need to note the length of the setback as well as the depth of the dig itself, and ensure you get the right arm length.
2. Bucket versus loader
Buckets and loaders each have their own advantages, but note that loaders are a better choice for larger and wider digs. This can mean less time digging a wide pit or trench, but their downside is that buckets allow for a more precise dig. Even if the trench or pit you're digging will need to be large and very deep, if you need to dig around buried power lines and plumbing pipes, you should still choose a bucket loader. This will make it easier for you to direct the dig itself and avoid causing any damage to anything that's buried.
3. Treads versus tires
Treads will slow down an excavator, but they protect it from sinking on soft soil. Tires are good for pavement and other such solid surfaces but are more likely to sink and get stuck in dirt and mud. If you know you should choose treads to keep your excavator safe on the soil but are concerned about its speed for unloading each scoop of dirt, invest in one with a cab that turns a full 360 degrees. This will keep you from having to move the entire crane or excavator itself with every load. You might also invest in a longer arm that can more readily reach a dump site that is located away from the crane or excavator, so you don't need to actually move the excavator itself to empty the bucket or loader.