Why do people use excavators?

14 Apr.,2024

 

When most people think of popular construction site equipment, machines like bulldozers or large cranes often come to mind. Their versatility and ability to complete large tasks leaves a lasting impression on construction workers and pedestrians alike. But there is another machine that’s extremely versatile and is used on a large majority of construction sites, and that’s an excavator.

An excavator consists of a boom, a stick, a bucket, and a cab. This cab, which sits on a rotating platform known as the “house,” features a set of tracks beneath it. These tracks allow the cab to move to wherever it needs to go. Excavators can work on countless jobsites, as they offer unique abilities to carry out specific tasks. A small excavator can fit through narrow passageways to get to its target, while larger excavators can weigh more than 45-metric tons and move earth like nothing you’ve seen before. And most excavators can access different attachments that make it able to do even more jobs than it was originally created for. When it comes to excavators, there’s not much they can’t do.

If you want to have a job using an excavator, you have to become certified to operate one. When you attend a training school like West Coast Training, you get hands-on experience using a variety of excavators as well as in-class training that teaches you how to use them safely and effectively. Having the skill set to master this machine can open countless job opportunities for you in the future. Here are just a few of the jobs that excavators can be used for.

Mining

Mining is a popular job that uses excavators on-site. Hydraulic excavators specifically are a great machine to use to dig and pull material to its destination. These machines are large, giving them the ability to move material in bulk, which is necessary on a mining site. It also provides you with the option to rotate a full 360 degrees, giving them easier options for transportation on-site.

On a mining site, the excavator moves soil away so that workers have easier access to the material they’re mining. It quickens the process tremendously. The excavators often come in the form of backhoes or bucket wheel excavators, and they can move large amounts of soil in a short amount of time. The excavator’s digging ability is unmatched, which is why mining is one of many jobs it’s suitable for.

Forestry Work

When trying to remove material from natural environments, like forests, excavators can come in handy. Though some machinery isn’t able to handle the narrow and often uneven terrain that you find in nature, specific excavators, such as spider excavators, are able to complete the job. Uneven or rocky terrain is no issue for the spider excavator, as its undercarriage doesn’t feature the typical tracks other excavators do. Spider excavators have legs that allow it to imitate walking as it maneuvers through unleveled or rocky ground.

With additional attachments to excavators, you can assist in brush cutting and forestry mulching jobs. This is a great option for people who need things like land clearing done in preparation for tree harvesting or to prepare for a build-site. The size of an excavator makes it an ideal choice when working with large material such as tall trees and natural obstacles.

Demolition

Most construction sites don’t begin as leveled pieces of land. They often start with buildings on them, uneven land, cement, or a variety of other obstacles. For this reason, demolition is a key factor in many construction plans, and excavators are a perfect machine to get that work done.

An excavator’s job on a demolition site can vary. Armed with a concrete breaker attachment, they can be the perfect solution for breaking up streets, sidewalks, and other large pieces of material. This creates smaller pieces that can be easily handled by other equipment and taken off of the site. Demolition is an important part of most construction, and an excavator makes an easy job of breaking down large material.

Snow Plowing

In areas that get a lot of snow in the winter, having proper plowing equipment is essential. Unplowed streets result in hazards for drivers or roads that are impassable. Excavators are a great resource for these types of jobs and are often used by city workers to clear snow for a community.

In this situation, the attachments that can be used with an excavator are very convenient. In this case, a special blade attachment can be attached to mini excavators, giving them the ability to properly plow snow, while also reaping the benefits of its small size. A mini excavator is able to move more quickly than a standard excavator, which is of great importance when trying to clear snow and make roads usable again.

Home Property Improvements

When you want something added onto your property, like a pool or a new driveway, an excavator will probably be used. Home property improvements and additions are known to need smaller excavators to get the work done. These types of jobs are always springing up as homeowners find new ways to use their land.

Road maintenance is one way that construction companies improve homes, and they usually use wheeled excavators to do so. These smaller excavators have great mobility, which allows them to move faster and work in tighter areas than larger excavators. Other excavators work well on these types of jobs because they can dig ditches and clear them of debris in preparation for a pool to be installed.

These are just a few of the wide variety of jobs that an excavator is used on. Being professionally trained to use one will make you an asset on any construction site. Schooling with this machine, as well as many others, can be done at a heavy equipment training school like West Coast Training. Students from around the world come to West Coast Training for the in-depth learning experience and the on-site training they can use as practice. If you’re interested in starting a new career where you work with excavators or other heavy machinery, a heavy equipment training school may be the right choice for you.

 

5 Best Ways to Make Money With an Excavator

August 11, 2022

An excavator is an extremely versatile piece of equipment that can double as a lucrative way to make money. These machines are excellent for digging and carrying applications. With additional special tools like cutters or grapples, you can get a lot done with a single excavator…

Whether you are looking to start an excavating business or just want to make some extra money on the side, we are sharing various ways to make a profit with this equipment.

Learn more about how to make money with a mini excavator.

Uses of a Mini Excavator

You can use a mini excavator for various jobs, including:

  • Construction: This equipment is perfect for digging trenches and ditches for construction projects. Mini excavators are handy for job sites with delicate surfaces or tight spaces.
  • Farming: From digging holes to lifting feed bags, there are endless uses for a mini excavator on a farm.
  • Landscaping: Whether you need to remove debris or dig to install a new pool or hot tub, landscaping work can benefit from this diverse piece of equipment.
  • Maintenance: Mini excavators are useful for maintenance and utility work that requires activities such as trench digging for new sewer lines or clearing snow from parking lots.
  • Handling materials: When it comes to activities like clearing and lifting piles of debris, a mini excavator is perfect for the job.

Renting vs. Owning an Excavator

When contemplating how to make money with heavy equipment, you may wonder if it is best to rent or own it. Your excavation business profits could vary depending on this factor.

Here are some of the considerations for renting a mini excavator:

  • No maintenance costs: One of the benefits of renting instead of purchasing equipment is that the owner is responsible for the maintenance costs and coordination.
  • Tax deductions: Every time you rent a mini excavator, you can write this off as a business expense. Plus, there are no restrictive rules regarding the specific tax year.
  • Getting familiarized: One of the disadvantages of renting equipment is that you will need to take some time to familiarize yourself with its operation before getting started on a job.

These are considerations for owning your piece of equipment:

  • Guaranteed availability: When you purchase your own mini excavator, you will not have to wait for rentals or coordinate schedules. Instead, your equipment is always readily available when you need it.
  • Higher upfront costs: Owning comes with higher costs at first, but there are no ongoing rental fees when you own your excavator. Instead of repeatedly paying for rentals, you only have to budget for your purchase and maintenance costs.
  • Ownership: When you own your equipment, you can become very familiar with how to operate it and become more skilled over time.

Is a Mini Excavator a Good Investment?

A mini excavator can be a very good investment. If you are thinking about investing in a mini excavator, consider these factors:

  • Versatility: These pieces of equipment are extremely versatile. You can pair them with multiple attachments and perform countless jobs, from grading to digging.
  • Labor: An excavator can replace the need for additional labor. If you are operating with limited workers, these machines can do the work of multiple people.
  • Durability: Excavators are durable pieces of equipment that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. They are also easy to maintain if you follow routine inspections.
  • Resale value: One of the greatest benefits of investing in a mini excavator is that these machines have a high resale value.

5 Ways to Make Money With an Excavator

You have many options if you are wondering how to make money with an excavator. Check out these mini excavator business ideas:

1. Rent It Out

If you own your mini excavator, renting it out is one of the most lucrative ways to make money. You can quickly make a return on your investment this way.

Renting out your excavator is an excellent way to make the most of your equipment while making a profit. And since you control when you rent out your machine, you can still complete jobs with your equipment on your own time.

2. Small-Scale Demo Jobs

Another excavation business idea is performing small-scale demolition jobs. You can offer demo services for the following types of small- or medium-sized structures:

  • Decks
  • Sheds
  • Fences
  • Garages
  • Driveways

Any larger structures would likely require a standard size excavator. Your customers will appreciate paying you for demo work rather than looking to a construction company with premium prices.

3. Landscaping Services

If you are looking for a mini excavator job that is quick and easy, consider offering landscaping services such as:

  • Digging
  • Land grading
  • Debris and brush removal

One of the benefits of using a mini excavator is that they are quieter than standard options and will not be too disruptive when working in neighborhoods.

4. Snow Removal

If you need jobs you can do with a mini excavator during the colder months, snow removal is a great option. Various types of attachments can make removing snow even easier, including:

  • Pushers
  • Blowers
  • Plows

You can advertise your snow removal services online or post flyers around your neighborhood.

5. Work With Another Business

Another way to make money with your equipment is by teaming up with another mini excavator business. You can do loading and unloading work or assist with small demo jobs. You can help out a small construction or landscaping company and make money while doing so.

Other Considerations for Making Money With an Excavator

When starting a mini excavator business, ensure you consider the following:

  • Size and storage: Before buying one of these machines, make sure you have the storage availability to accommodate the size of the excavator.
  • Weight limits: Ensure the excavator’s maximum operating weight is not too heavy for the jobs you want to complete.
  • Wear parts: Excavators require replacement wear parts after repetitive use. Factor the cost and time needed to replace parts into your equipment maintenance plans.

Contact Stewart-Amos Equipment Co. to Learn More

For more than 80 years, Stewart-Amos Equipment Co. has been part of the wear parts and heavy equipment distribution industry. In addition to equipment sales and rentals, we offer an extensive inventory of replacement parts for many different pieces of equipment.

At Stewart-Amos Equipment Co., you can find high-quality Black Cat wear parts built for longevity. We prioritize giving the people who work with us the greatest value and customer service possible.

Interested in learning more about PA Black Cat excavator wear parts from Stewart-Amos Equipment Co.? Contact us today!

Why do people use excavators?

5 Best Ways to Make Money With an Excavator