It is almost certain you will find at least an excavator in every construction or landscaping project site you check. Yes, they are that popular. The popularity of the excavator is due to its versatility. Excavators are ideal for digging, earthmoving, and a few more site activities. Structurally, an excavator comprises a boom, dipper or stick, and bucket in its upper body. These parts collectively connect to a cab sitting on a rotating house that can turn 360 degrees conveniently.
Therefore, an excavator can quickly move with an extensive motion range, even in a confined space.
Some excavators come with tracks, while others are fitted with wheels. The choice will depend on the project’s needs, which is why excavators can easily meet the requirements of most projects. However, of the several activities an excavator can handle on a site, it does better in some than others.
Below is a list of the five best applications of this piece of heavy equipment;
Digging and Earthmoving.
An excavator is the most used piece of heavy equipment for digging and earthmoving on the site. It can easily handle all forms of digging, including holes and trenches. Excavators can also grade land and do general landscaping efficiently. You can move dirt, debris, rock, soil, and more around the job site quickly using an excavator.
The excavator shines the most in digging when digging trenches. Trench digging means digging holes of different sizes in the ground to create space to install various types of foundations or utilities. The excavator’s bucket is fitted with teeth-like prongs which are strong enough to break ground and scoop the earth underneath seamlessly. Compared to manual equipment or other less-suited methods, digging trenches with an excavator saves time and requires less effort.
You can also use your excavator for landscape grading. Grading means levelling the ground to make it suitable for a construction project. It can also mean the sculpting of land to control the flow of water from one area to another. You also grade the land to create space for plants, carve out pathways, or install new landscaping elements. Jobs in the grading category require a partial or complete reworking of the land, usually by digging up and resettling the ground.
Again, the bucket and sheer power of the excavator make it the best piece of heavy equipment for such jobs.
Forestry.
You most likely do not expect to see forestry on this list, considering we are talking about construction. However, this machine’s outstanding versatility and power make it a favourite in the forestry industry. The forestry industry is responsible for maintaining and cultivating forests, which are the primary source of paper, pulp, lumber, and other essential products.
How do excavators help in forestry? The first forestry-related use of excavators is harvesting and handling trees and other heavy related materials. The excavator also helps to remove branches and shear trees to improve safety in the forest. This versatile heavy equipment also comes in handy when creating access routes in the woods.
Forestry-specific excavators are often equipped with shear, mulcher, and related attachments. They are also available in various sizes and options, including wheel or track options. Therefore, an excavator is suited to both the unique terrain of the forests. Your choice of excavator for forestry will depend on the type of forest, how close the trees are, and the kind of ground.
Demolition.
You may need to demolish an existing structure to create the space for a new and better structure. While demolition is often overlooked, it is commonly one of the stumbling blocks in a construction process. Demolishing a structure is as vital as demolishing it properly. For example, if you are demolishing a structure in a residential area, the process must be safe and in line with the standard regulations.
In addition to doing an excellent job in digging and preparing the ground for further construction activities, excavators are also perfect for removing existing structures. This piece of heavy equipment is solid and powerful, and compatible with a long list of attachments.
Using the right excavator for your demolition projects ensures additional safety and stability for the operator and everyone else on site. Once you replace the traditional bucket with the breaker attachment, you have all you need to destroy even tougher areas more precisely. You can also perform other demolition-related activities effectively.
With the beaker attachment, the excavator can break through almost anything, including stone, concrete, and other tough materials. You may stick to the traditional general-purpose bucket when dealing with less tough structures.
Even after demolition, the excavator’s handling capabilities come in handy in removing debris.
Getting rid of debris.
Excavators are excellent at handling material and removing debris. If you have debris from a fallen structure lying around after a demolition project or a natural disaster, you can trust the excavator to clear them quickly and efficiently. The flexible nature of an excavator makes it perfect for removing debris. Excavators come in different sizes and types, so it is easy to choose the right one for the task at hand. For example, you may need an excavator with more lifting power for some projects and one with improved manoeuvrability for others.
Note that “debris,” as used in this case, does not mean a specific material. The debris to be lifted in any case may be different. However, the excavator will always be equal to the task, thanks to the wide range of available attachments you can introduce to get the job done.
How Do You Get An Excavator?
Chances are you will need an excavator for your next construction project. However, the high cost of this piece of equipment means the outright purchase is not always an option. Fortunately, you can rent from a reputable heavy equipment store. Most stores selling CAT parts UK will likely have the excavator and the attachments you need for rent or outright purchase.
