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 Unearthed Excavator Mysteries
Japan, 1930 — a mysterious new machine rolled out of Kobelco Construction Mfg. Co.’s manufacturing plant. Churning steel tracks carried the 50K electric mining shovel, casting a shadow that would be similar to future mechanical diggers. Three decades later,
hydraulic excavators populated jobsites, turning monumental excavating projects into afternoon projects.
While excavators — with more than 15 manufacturers in the North American market alone — are a common sight on nearly any jobsite, developing technologies have altered the landscape of excavator offerings. New systems such as telemetrics and automatic grading, improved hydraulics, attachments and beyond led to new, efficient excavator operations. Utility Contractor investigated and — thanks to an anonymous tip and the brightest minds in excavator manufacturing — uncovered productive excavator solutions.
Digging up the Facts
Finding the Evidence for Renting Excavators
By Roger Johnson
One of the toughest questions a contractor has to ask is whether to buy or rent equipment. But the answer is no mystery. There are five very compelling reasons the excavator rental market is enjoying increased growth, and they all benefit the contractor who is renting and using the equipment. There are no capital or maintenance costs involved. The transaction is 100 percent deductible. There are no down-time expenditures. Today’s economic climate makes long-term rental usage both possible and desirable, and some companies actually offer rent-to-own programs.
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| Safe equipment operation is the first priority, so have your rental center experts guide you through correct control procedures on their property. |
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Today’s high-quality compact excavators rated less than 16,000 lbs operating weight are reliable and well suited for a wide range of applications. This versatility makes them popular pieces of equipment for contractors and utility professionals alike. And because of their smaller size, they are less intimidating to use confidently and effectively. Still, there are several logical steps any potential excavator renter must undertake to make this project as safe and productive as possible.
First, determine if the unit you’re considering can physically access the intended worksite. Is there a gate to pass through? Are there steep or uneven work surfaces? How wide is the unit you’ll be renting? How heavy is it? How deep must you dig? How deep can you dig? Are there underground power or gas lines nearby? (Call your local One-Call number or the Common Ground Alliance phone number (811) that covers all states.) How far will the bucket reach? How high must you reach to dump the bucket? Will you be working close to a wall or in a confined area? To do a professional job use professional techniques like taking notes and measurements and following that guidance to the letter.
Towing the Load
Transporting the machine to and from the jobsite is also a critical consideration. Most rental businesses, according to Nick Grittani, Regional Sales Manager for Yanmar Construction Equipment, require that a renter have a legal trailer that is the right size for the excavator being considered. Many rental centers will also have trailers available for rental. Naturally, the tow vehicle must also be legal, safe and right for the job. Remember, you’ll be exposed to as much liability transporting the excavator on public roads as you will be simply using it on the jobsite. Safety first, so seat
belts should be utilized even during the loading and unloading process.
For a mini excavator, you’ll need a tow vehicle with at least a 13,000-lb gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) — the total number of pounds the vehicle can haul — and a 12,000-lb GVWR-rated trailer. That should cover mini excavators
that fall within the 3- to 4-ton class excavators — the most popular size for excavator rentals.
Some centers even provide a pickup and delivery service. If you intend to transport the machine yourself, find a source with business hours that are compatible with your particular schedule. After all, no one wants to be responsible for such an expensive machine sitting in an open field over the weekend with the meter running. It’s also wise to have access to a service department and their technicians during the job in the event of unforeseeable complications.
Learn from the Experts
Today’s better service centers offer instruction in basic equipment operation that also includes the use of any required attachments. Fortunately, most of today’s compact excavators offer simple controls and smooth hydraulic boom swing and digging motions, as opposed to the machines of the past.
Safe equipment operation is the first priority, so have your rental center experts guide you through correct control procedures on their property. This is especially true if the excavator in question is a newer model you with which you might not be familiar. This is also the time and place to practice with any attachments that might be required for your job.
For a first-time operator, it is essential to learn the controls and feel comfortable operating the machine’s varied functions. Start with the seat belt and make sure the unit is on level ground and stable before beginning any operation no matter how small. Lowering the blade firmly on the ground will help stabilize the machine. Like a big league slugger, practice a few swings of the arm and become comfortable with the way it raises and lowers. The same goes for curling the bucket. Now, gradually combine the motions slowly and smoothly. Don’t be in a hurry — smooth and steady is the name of this game.
Further Evidence
Volvo and Case Weigh in on Excavator Rental
Exhibit A:
“The bulk of excavator rental is normally 29 tons and below. The size of the excavator is based on the job requirement — reach, depth and lift capacities. Benefit to renting is the customer can use the equipment as needed and return just paying for the use. Purchasing an excavator puts a large liability on the customer’s books, which may limit his bonding capability at times,” says Todd Gothberg, Volvo Construction Equipment, North America — Excavator Team.
Exhibit B:
“A rent-to-own option for contractors is a very useful tool when the long-term requirement of the machine is unknown. When a machine is needed on one job and possibly needed on future jobs that are currently in the bid tender processes, opting for a rent-to-own scenario can prove to be advantageous for the contractor. Those electing the rent-to-own option need to be vigilant at the time of returning the machine, making sure they understand what monetary benefits may be forfeited by returning the machine vs. purchasing the unit,” says Mitch Blake, Brand Marketing Manager for Case Construction Equipment. |
Care and Feeding of the Excavator
Determine what the daily routine of component inspection should be before you turn on the machine for the day’s work. Have an employee of the rental company guide you through this procedure if you’re uncertain. Have that same employee give you a complete walk-around on the machine. Don’t take anything for granted. Inspect the tracks, quick-coupler and boom stress points; scan any irregularities, fractures or excessive wear. It is also a good idea to quiz the dealer about the machine’s maintenance schedule such as when the oil was last changed (typically done every 500 hours).
Most mini excavators sport rubber tracks so look at the tension to ensure a snug fit and make sure there aren’t any deep gouges or tears in the rubber. Check that all fluid levels (oil, coolant and hydraulic) are where they should be. It helps if you have the dealer show you all these check points before taking the machine home. When the machine lands on the jobsite, you’ll want to do another visual inspection of all components before putting it to work.
Finally, Grittani recommends you look for a compact excavator that offers true zero tail swing clearance. Most damage occurs when the new operator forgets that pesky overhang that some non-zero tail swing machines have. And speaking of clearance, keep plenty of it between you and everything.
Remember, as a rule people love to watch this kind of equipment in action. You always have to watch out for someone trying to get a closer look. For best results, just add good sense.
Roger Johnson is a Technical Writer for Pratt & Buehl, based in Atlanta.
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