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Excavators offer your worksites a tremendous range of power and versatility. Because there are so many machines and options to choose from, it can be a complex process to determine what model will deliver the most productivity at the lowest operating cost. With today’s tight bidding climate, it only makes sense to “dig in” to your decision-making process and do everything you can to increase your profitability. Use these tips as a solid starting point:
Mini or compact excavators:
(Approximate weight: up to 13,000 lbs./6 metric tons)
Midi excavators:
(Approximate weight: 15,400 lbs./7 metric tons – 22,000 lbs./10 metric tons)
Standard excavators:
(Approximate weight: approximately 22,000 lbs./10 metric tons – 99,200 lbs./45 metric tons)
Large excavators:
(Weight: more than 99,200 lbs./45 metric tons)
Every time you estimate a job, you use the volumes of dirt you need to move, grade, slope or compact as a basis for costs. But it’s not often that you compare multiple jobs based on the digging depth, reach, breakout force, bucket capacity and lift capacities. So before you shop excavators, consider these questions:
BUDGET
WORKSITE CONDITIONS
DIGGING DEPTH & REACH
LIFTING CAPACITY
BUCKET CAPACITY
COUNTERWEIGHT
HYDRAULIC ATTACHMENTS
TRANSPORTATION
TECHNOLOGY
Finding the right excavator requires research and running the numbers. Once you know what targets you want the excavator to hit, then it’s time to talk experts you trust and to demo some machines. You may be able to rent the models you’re interested in and try them on several jobs, or you can talk to your local dealers. The most important thing is to measure all the options against what will add the most to your business.
Your Cat® dealer can help you figure out what excavator works best for you, talk to them today.
You’re here to get ideas to grow your business. Read on for machine insights and expert tips and tricks to get more out of every job.
CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020 is well underway, and Cat® technology is one of the main events.
Learn MoreConstruction companies optimize their performance across their worksites.
Learn MoreCalculating appropriate volume is critical to accuracy. In-bank soil, loose soil that has been excavated and fill soil that has been compacted, have different material densities and resulting load factors.
Learn MoreFill Factor is the percentage of an available volume in a hauler body, bucket or bowl that is actually used.
Learn More