Excavators usually make your earthmoving jobs a lot easier, lightening your load. But which excavator do you need? Every job calls for a different approach. We’ve listed 5 tips for you to look out for, so you always know exactly which excavator is right for your job.
1. Surfaces: tracks or normal tyres
Does the work need to be done in less accessible areas where there is soft or marshy ground? Or is the terrain not entirely flat? Then choose an excavator with tracks. Tracks offer more grip and stability on muddy surfaces and terrain that is difficult to access. They prevent the machine from sinking or getting stuck.
Are you looking to use the excavator on terrain that is easily accessible and practically flat? Then opt for an excavator with normal (large) tyres. These machines move faster and make less noise than excavators with tracks. Other advantages include that these machines are easier to drive and have a shorter turning circle.
2. Mini-excavator, for small spaces
Do you have a job in a space that is small or difficult to access? For example, demolition and earthwork in a commercial garden or for a garden renovation. Then a mini-excavator is often the best choice. With its narrow dimensions and small turning circle, this smaller excavator can be used in a lot of different places. The mini-excavator is really convenient to use and very easy to drive. The smallest models will even fit through standard doorways. They are also multi-purpose thanks to their range of accessories and attachments.
3. Excavators for big jobs
When it comes to digging trenches and pits, moving soil and loading trucks, you’ll need a bigger and more powerful excavator. If you have a big job on unstable ground, choose a crawler excavator. For jobs on harder surfaces, it’s best to go for a wheeled excavator.
4. Hybrid or electric excavators
Do you need to consider CO2 emissions during your operations? Or do you have restrictions on vibrations or noise levels? Then a hybrid or electric excavator is the best choice for you. A zero emission machine also allows you to work in areas where noise and fumes are a nuisance or simply undesirable. For example in city centres, around hotels and hospitals, or even inside buildings.
And you don’t need to worry about the power and limited operating time of electric or hybrid excavators. Zero emission machines are no less powerful than fuel-powered machines. And the battery can also handle a full working day of normal use.
5. Excavators with pressurised cabs
Is contaminated air released during your excavation or demolition work? Then choose an excavator with a pressurised cab. This allows you to work safely with contaminated soil or toxic substances. The pressurised cab prevents harmful or hazardous substances from entering the cab during excavation or demolition work. Filters clean the contaminated air. The fresh filtered air is blown into the air-tight cab. Since the inside of the cab is pressurised, contaminated air from outside is unable to enter the cab.
