4 things to know when hiring an excavator

One of the most well known pieces of gear on a construction site, the excavator does what it says on the tin, it excavates. The first one was invented in the 1830s and they’ve been saving us a lot of time and effort ever since.

We’re going to cover the top four things to think about when using an excavator, from the basic points like choosing the right size for you, to some other more pressing safety matters.

Safety

Let’s start with the most important part, making sure everyone from operator to bystander is safe. There are a few simple steps to follow to stay safe when using an excavator:

• Seatbelts - you never know what can happen on a job site, while excavators may not go too fast, a seatbelt will keep you safe and secure from any unexpected collisions and accidents.
• Cleaning the mirrors and lights - having clear visibility of all of these can be the difference between an accident and a close call.
• Checks - check over the controls, levers and propel system to make sure everything is working properly before operating.
• Speed - always travel the appropriate speed, especially when going over rough or uneven terrain, and always try to stick to the flattest path possible.
• Shutting down - after operation, make sure the excavator is parked on level ground and don’t forget to lock everything up.

Blade positioning

The next most important thing is having the excavator blade in the correct position. On a smaller, more compact excavator, having the blade positioned behind you will pin the machine to the ground when the bucket digs in. The machine is designed to be used this way, creating a stable base for digging. If the excavator is under 3 tonnes and isn’t used in this way you run the risk of having the machine flip over.

While the machine is moving, the blade can be either in front or behind the excavator, but it must be raised up into the high position. If it’s moving up a hill, it must be raised just off the ground and be behind the cab, that way if the excavator slips at all, the blade should catch it and prevent any accidents.

The right size for the job

Choosing the right size for the job is important for both practical and financial reasons. There’s no use in going overboard with excavators, especially when there’s really no limit to just how big they can get. The heaviest vehicle on earth is actually an excavator, the massive Bagger 288 weighs in at 13,500 tonnes.

• The 7T excavator is perfect for smaller backyard jobs, with more than enough power to make landscaping and minor earthmoving jobs easy, along with being very easy to get around with.
• The 11T model is certainly bigger, although it’s still nimble enough to get through uneven terrain without too much trouble. This excavator has enough power to get most jobs done on the average worksite, while still being able to move around
• There are a range of models above 11T, but the biggest step up in excavators seeing everyday use in construction are 30T and above. These are commonplace on large construction jobs, needing wide flat surfaces to safely maneuver around the site.

Range

With so many different things to think about when hiring an excavator, it’s important to speak to people with the knowhow you need to get the job done right. Not only do we have the expertise to get you the right excavator for the job, we have one of Australia’s largest range of excavators and a fleet that we’re constantly updating and improving.

If you want to talk to us about how to get the most out of your excavator, or any gear for that matter, give us a call on 13 15 52 or hire now at https://hire-now.coateshire.com.au.