Five key considerations when selecting mini excavators

Making an excavation in narrow places is not an easy task. In major cities and urban environments this can be a technically challenging problem. There is often no space to position an excavator, let alone to dig. A wrong move can be costly. For these cases, the machinery has to be durable, stable, reliable and precise.

Here are the five key considerations when selecting mini excavators:

1. Make sure the excavator has adequate excavation capacity in order to complete the work in the desirable rate. The capacity depends on the size and shape of the digging bucket and the engine so as to increase the load ability and the production.
2. Focus on the size and weight of the excavator. Can they fit at the site? The size of mini excavators is critical but sometimes this can be deceptive. It’s not only the size that provides accessibility in narrow or demanding construction sites but also its weight combined with its capacity.
3. Don’t forget to consider soil conditions. Mini excavators can be used in firm clay, soft rock or blasted rock. The type of soil affects the excavation production rate and as a result the productivity. Excavated rocks occupy more space in the bucket than a soil!
4. Ensure that the selected excavator can work efficiently around underground pipes and adjust its operation according to their location. Make sure you know their location. If you work in a main city, you are likely to have lots of pipelines at different depths. It could be water pipes, sewage pipes, power lines or other communication infrastructure.
5. Another significant feature is the durability. Excavators should be tough to adapt to unexpected situations at the site and to handle changing ground conditions.

Working on a machine and dealing with the unpredictable conditions of the ground increases the need for enhanced safety and comfort during the excavation. Keeping all these in mind, small machinery can be manufactured, but does its reliability and performance match the costs? Remember the cost is not only the capital cost of purchasing a machine but mostly about the cost of maintaining it and the ability to count on it for the next project site.

The range of mini excavators available by Hitachi Construction Machinery (Australia) Pty Ltd for example, makes them unique in conforming to your needs. They provide solutions and easy maintenance with parts and service support, with significant parts stock at branches worldwide and field service representatives that are immediately available. These mini diggers can perform well in both narrow and larger sites as they are inspired and engineered to the same standards as Hitachi's industry leading Giant Excavators. 

The article above is sponsored by Hitachi Construction Machinery.