Excavators are used primarily for earthmoving tasks like backfilling, digging, and relocating materials...Show More
Excavators are used primarily for earthmoving tasks like backfilling, digging, and relocating materials. They can also be used for loading and unloading heavy objects and equipment from trucks. Large excavators come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 25,000 to 139,000 pounds operating weight, so they can be used for medium-sized or large jobs, depending on your needs.
Excavators are equipped with a boom and excavator bucket. Other key features include a 360-degree turntable that enables operators to easily adjust and relocate dirt from a stationary position and tracks that prevent the machine from losing traction or sinking on uneven or muddy surfaces. Check out the FAQs below to learn more.
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Rental costs depend on the size of excavator you need and how long you need it. For an excavator between 25,000 and 29,000 pounds, you can expect to pay $520 a day, $1,664 a week, or $2,704 a month. For one between 40,000 and 44,000 pounds, the prices rise to $623, $2,039, and $3,328, respectively. Contractors equipment insurance is also required.
You will want to consider several factors like dig depth, lifting capacity, budget, worksite, counterweight, bucket capacity, and hydraulic attachments when deciding on the right excavator for your job.
Excavators come in three general sizes:
A mini excavator is more maneuverable and can work in places a standard excavator can’t, such as crowded job sites and parking lots. They also work well for smaller projects such as sewer repairs and water line installations. Mini excavators can be used for jobs that range from plowing snow and landscaping work to digging holes for swimming pools.
Standard excavators, also known as crawlers, offer more power and additional reach. They can be used for digging trenches, mining, and major landscaping or construction projects. They’re also able to handle multiple tool attachments and are a good fit for commercial construction jobs.
Excavators are larger and heavier than backhoes, and typically have more power. Their cab can rotate in a complete circle, while a backhoe can only pivot across a range of approximately 200 degrees.
Backhoes are on wheels instead of tracks, making them more mobile. Because of their size and mobility, they’re slightly more adaptable, though they’re typically only suitable for medium-sized projects.
Excavator attachments include a wide selection of buckets, blades, and other attachments, including: rock buckets, side-discharge buckets, multipurpose buckets, rollout buckets, utility buckets, snow blades, heavy scrapers, augers, rippers, trenchers, and tree shears.
