Ways a Mini Excavator Can Boost Your Construction Business
A successful excavation contractor business requires dedication, expertise, and equipment. This equipment includes walk-behind compactors, skid steer loaders, and bulldozers. Small excavators also have near-zero tail swings, making them ideal for use around structures and other hazards. They are also more precise than enormous alternatives, making them the best choice for excavating jobs in tight spaces.
They Can Be Used to Dig Drainage Ditch
Many farmers and ranchers have a lot of debris on their property. It’s essential to clear it, and a mini excavator is perfect for the job. It can dig trenches of any length and depth and remove brush and debris. It can also be used for landscaping projects, grading fields, and leveling driveways. Adding a plate compactor attachment to your excavator is another way to improve its utility. This attachment helps you compact gravel to lay pavers and can be used for digging trenches before pouring concrete. It can also be used for laying foundations and is ideal for preparing construction sites.
When selecting a mini excavator for sale, knowing the maximum weight the machine can lift is essential. A good rule of thumb is specifying the device to raise 85 percent of its total capacity and adding 15 percent for additional tasks like trenching or lifting street plates and transformers. It’s also important to consider whether you will use a tilt rotator on the dipper stick, as this can add weight and affect what the machine can lift.
They Can Be Used to Drill
In addition to digging, mini excavators can also use auger attachments to drill holes. This type of attachment is ideal for removing trees, installing fence posts, laying foundations, and more. The hydraulic auger converts pressure into kinetic energy, which allows the blade to spin powerfully enough to cut through even rock. Site preparation is often the first step in a construction project. This can include removing trees if you are working on a forestry project or clearing away vegetation if you are building a house or other structure.
A mini excavator is an excellent choice for preparing your job site because it can dig beneath surface soil, typically full of decaying plant material and roots. Another way that mini excavators can help you design a construction site is by digging drainage ditches. This is important because it can allow water to flow appropriately on your property. This can prevent erosion and flooding issues.
They Can Be Used to Remove Trees
A mini excavator is the perfect tool for removing a tree stump or large object. With a proper attachment, it can easily cut up and pull away the stump’s roots. This saves you a lot of time and energy required if you use hand tools or even a giant machine like a backhoe. In addition to stump removal, you can use a mini excavator to demolish small structures such as sheds or barns. This can be done quickly and efficiently using a breaker attachment.
It’s important to note that it is essential always to wear appropriate safety gear and follow the operator’s manual when operating heavy equipment. Many different types of attachments can be used with a mini excavator. Some are designed specifically for land clearing and forestry work. These attachments can include a cutting head, mulcher, or both. Some of these attachments are designed to be self-sharpening, which helps to reduce maintenance costs and downtime. Additionally, some extensions can be easily operated in confined spaces thanks to their retractable undercarriages.
They Can Be Used to Clear Surface Soil
Most landscaping projects require clearing surface soil to install lawns, create outdoor spaces, or build garden paths and fountains. Using a mini excavator can make the job go faster than digging by hand. Choosing the right excavator for the job requires consideration of a few factors, including size and power requirements, fuel efficiency, attachment availability, and maintenance accessibility. When purchasing a mini excavator, look for one with a retractable undercarriage.
This feature enables the machine to fit through narrow gates or fences and expand to continue working in a different area. Also, consider buying one with a zero tail swing configuration, which allows the operator to rotate the upper body of the excavator within its undercarriage width for more excellent maneuverability in congested areas. Choose a compact excavator with many popular attachments to make it a multipurpose landscaping tool. It should also have two separate dig modes and a cab that provides optimal visualization of the arm or extension used. Manufacturers have redesigned their cabs to make it easier for operators to see what they are doing, increasing safety and productivity on the job site.
They Can Be Used to Build a Trench
If you need to dig a trench for your construction project, a mini excavator can help. These machines can dig a trench more quickly than if someone used a shovel or a hand-held tool. Working on a tight schedule or with limited resources can significantly benefit. When digging a trench, be sure to take safety precautions. Always call 811 before starting any excavation work. This service will connect you with a local center that will notify most utility companies where their pipes and wires are located.
This helps to prevent any accidental cave-ins or other injuries. Also, use shoring in any five feet or deeper trench. Shoring, such as timber or hydraulic shores, will brace and hold the walls of a track, helping to prevent cave-ins. If a shoring system isn’t available, slope the back banks two feet horizontally to one foot vertically. This will help protect workers in case the trench walls collapse. Additionally, place plywood sheets over the trench wall to keep debris from falling on people.
