Boosting Efficiency: Blogs for People Who Use Heavy Construction Equipment

Posted on: 5 January 2018

The cost of purchasing a state-of-the-art construction machinery such as an excavator can be substantial and prohibitive to construction contractors on a budget. Therefore, hiring an excavator is a viable alternative that helps to save money and get work done efficiently. The savings made can be used to expand the construction business. Here are some valuable tips for construction contractors looking to hire excavators.

Qualified Operator -- Some excavator hiring firms will insist on providing their operators to accompany the equipment to the job-site. However, the arrangement can be costly because the hourly rates of the operator would be factored in the hiring charges. Alternatively, you can hire a skilled excavator operator who has vast experience in operating a majority of modern excavators. However, the operator must have valid a license required to run the heavy machinery. The latter option gives you flexibility as well as reducing the overall cost of renting the equipment.

Size of Excavator and Logistics -- Job parameters including, but not limited to site access, location, type of construction work, and ground composition should be used to determine the size and kind of excavator suitable for the job. Reach out to several suppliers, especially those that can arrange for a site visit, so that they can advise you accordingly. If you plan to foot the cost of transporting the equipment to the construction site, consider hiring a seasoned heavy equipment transportation firm to avoid potential fatalities and liabilities due to damage to third party property.

Excavator Attachments -- The pricing of an excavator is determined by many factors among them attachments. Depending on the nature and scope of construction work, you might need hydraulic attachments to perform unique applications. Apart from buckets, sheers are ideal for cutting and demolition while thumbs are used for lifting heavy objects. Most importantly, if the site has to be compacted, then you have to hire a compactor attachment. If you need more than one accessory, make plans to get a specialist on standby who would install each component when required.   

Inspecting the Excavator -- Inspect and test the equipment before it leaves the supplier's yard. A qualified heavy equipment mechanic can help you with the inspection to ensure that you do not pick a faulty machine. Check all linkage points for loose connections that might affect installation of attachments and their subsequent operation. Assess the hydraulic system, which is a crucial component that moves mechanical attachments of the excavator. Additionally, look out for signs of leaks in the hydraulic pump at the time of inspection, which would be a pointer to a defective system. You can also ask the suppliers if they can take the excavator for a test drive to guarantee that it is in perfect working condition.