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Deciding Whether a Backhoe Loader or Mini Hydraulic Excavator is a Better Fit

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India - The Best Place for Investing in Construction Equipment

The Construction Equipment (CE) market in India is growing at a very fast pace due to increased impetus being laid by the government on development of the country’s infrastructure. In addition to this, rapid urbanization, increasing foreign investments, growing mining industry and surging demand for customized equipment are few of the other major factors which are propelling the demand for CE in India.

 As per a report released by Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association (ICEMA), “The Indian construction industry is expected to grow to $5 billion by 2019-2020.” These numbers clearly prove that India is going to see a major CE revolution in the coming years and it is the right time for the interested parties to make an investment in CE in India.

 A brief note on Construction Equipment market in India

 Before discussing in detail the projects, plans, factors and future that will make India the best place to make an investment in CE in the coming years, we need to first understand as to what constitutes the CE market. Typically, the CE sector in the country is made up of five main segments. These include earth moving equipment, road CE, concrete equipment, material handling equipment and material processing equipment. The earth moving equipment and road CE segment account for close to 70 per cent of India’s CE market. The concrete equipment is the second largest segment with a market share of approximately 14 per cent. Material handling equipment and material processing equipment segment account for 10 per cent and 6 per cent of the market respectively.

 According to Sameer Bansal, Director, Off-Highway Research India, “CE sub-sectors such as earth moving, road construction and material handling equipment saw 36 per cent growth in 2016 and a further 17 per cent rise in 2017 with a new peak of 78,109 units. The sales of these equipment is expected to increase further by 8 per cent during 2020 and 2021 and by 6 per cent in 2022 to peak at 110,815 units.”

 What makes India a lucrative destination for investing in Construction Equipment in the present and future?

 1. Growing infrastructure sector:

 Infrastructure sector which includes power, bridges, dams, ports, railways, roads, real estate and urban infrastructure is highly giving a boost to the CE industry in the country.

 Particularly, it is the roads and highways sector in the current infrastructure development scenario which is expected to be the main growth driver for the CE industry followed by railways, irrigation and ports. This is because the budgetary allocation for National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) was increased by 10 per cent to Rs 916.63 billion in the 2018-19. Also, the government is aiming to develop the Golden Quadrilateral connecting four major metropolitan cities viz. Delhi-Mumbai- Chennai-Kolkata. Construction of North South and East West Corridors (NS-EW) connecting Srinagar to Kanyakumari and Sachar to Porbandar with a spur from Salem to Cochin is also on cards of the government. Government is also aiming at six lining of existing four-lane highways. Also, increased impetus is being given to the development and maintenance of rural roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadako Yojana (PMGSY).

 Apart from this, various other big-ticket infrastructure projects have been announced by the government. These include Smart Cities Mission, Baramulla Pari yojana, Agartala Programmed for modernization of ports, increasing connectivity and port linked industrial hubs, airport development and upgradation program, Jal Marg Vikas, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Housing for All and Diamond Quadrilateral for high-speed railways, river linkages and bullet trains.

 Even the rural infrastructure development has picked up the pace in the country. The government is looking to construct 3.17 lakh km of roads, 51 lakh new houses, 1.88 crore toilets and providing electricity connections to 1.75 crore new households in the year 2018-2019 in the rural areas. Obviously, all these projects and developments would demand CE and this will give an overall boost to the various CE sub-segments in the country in the present times as well as in future.

 2. Growth in the construction activities:

 As per the report from ResearchAndMarkets.com, the CE market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8 per cent during Financial Year 2018-Financial Year 2024 on account of the country’s expanding construction industry. It is also believed that by 2025, construction market in India will emerge as the third largest globally. This growth in the construction sector is supposed to have a direct impact on the CE sector as more and more CE would be needed to fulfil the needs of modern construction sites.

 3. Increasing need for mechanization:

 Till recently, construction activities in India used traditional methods which were slow and archaic. Now, gearing up to the new realities of timely project execution with a bonus clause for early completion, quality output, higher productivity, reliability and safety and various infrastructure projects on hand, the focus is shifting towards innovation, automation and advanced technologies. Today, there is an increasing need for modernized and mechanized methods of construction and thus, more and more CE with newer intelligent features like remote access devices, automatic controls and increased sophistication as against the manual labor are being demanded. It is believed that for every 0.5 per cent increase in mechanization, the CE demand would rise by $30-35 billion.

 To sum up

 Looking at the above factors, it can be safely concluded that India among all the developing countries is growing as one of the best places to make investment in the CE sector. Given the fact that the country requires about $7 trillion infrastructure investment over the next seven years and for that the government has already started taking proactive steps, this would impact the CE business greatly.

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Deciding Whether a Backhoe Loader or Mini Hydraulic Excavator is a Better Fit

A Backhoe Loader (BHL) or a mini hydraulic excavator? This question haunts many contractors and is often a very debatable topic. Some may say that mini hydraulic excavator is better than the BHL while some may say vice versa. However, the answer is that both the equipment are irreplaceable and have different set of advantages to offer.

 Before going into the debate further, we need to understand the definition of the two...

 What is a mini hydraulic excavator?

 Mini hydraulic excavators are compact, lightweight, portable and wheeled vehicles in the earthmoving equipment category. They generally come with a standard backfill blade and independent boom swing. Despite their small size and apart from digging, mini excavators can do grading, lifting heavy items, compacting a subgrade and many other tasks. Based on the digging depth of the boom and bucket, mini excavators come in various sizes.

 Two popular types of mini excavators include tail swing and zero tail swing. The tail swing model features a rear counterweight that stabilises the excavator during operation and offsets added weight in the bucket. This model provides great lift capabilities and bucket and arm breakout force. On the other hand, providing comparable levels of performance when it comes to dig depth, reach and cutting and dump height, the zero tail swing excavators are also efficient. They are easier to navigate in tight work areas.

 What is a BHL?

 A BHL consists of three pieces of construction equipment i.e., tractor, loader and backhoe combined into one unit. All the three pieces of equipment are suited to do various sorts of work. The tractor is used for moving the other two components from place to place. As for the loader and backhoe, when you dig up a lot of dirt to make a hole, you generally require a loader to either move the dirt out of the area or to fill it back when the work is done. Thus, the most common application of a backhoe loader is digging a trench with the backhoe and then filling it back with the loader. The backhoe has three segments i.e., boom, stick and bucket.

 Apart from performing the above-mentioned basic tasks, BHLs can be used for demolitions, breaking asphalt, laying roads, transporting materials, levelling, loading and much more at the job site with various additional attachments.

 Backhoe Loader v/s mini hydraulic excavator

 Both Backhoe Loader and mini excavators are highly versatile and multi-purpose equipment that can be employed for numerous applications. However, it is not at all possible to replace any one of it with the other because both offer strong benefits in different situations.

 Which is a better fit?

 Both the equipment i.e., mini hydraulic excavators and Backhoe Loader have their own strengths and weaknesses. Hence, you need to first identify your requirement well and then figure out which is better for your specific situation. Typically, versatility, mobility and transportability are the three major differentiating parameters for the two equipment.

 Below are some parameters that can help you to decide whether a BHL or mini hydraulic excavator is a better fit at your job site...

 1. The type of job: The type of job that you want to perform will help you to determine the equipment that you need. So, before choosing any equipment, take some time to determine the technicalities involved with the job that you are planning to do at the construction site. For small demolitions, light transportation of building materials, digging holes, landscaping, breaking asphalt, paving roads, laying pipes, planting underground cables, laying foundation for buildings and drainage systems, you might require a BHL. For digging at a large scale, grading, lifting heavy items and compacting a subgrade, mini excavators can be used.

 2. Other applications: In addition to performing tasks such as digging, trenching, lifting, excavating and loading, BHLs can also be used to travel at higher speeds like in case of snow removal. On the other hand, being compact and lightweight, mini hydraulic excavators are used to minimize track marks and ground damage. They are also blessed with the capability to make a 360-degree swing.

 3. Space at jobsite: Backhoe Loader are larger equipment than the mini hydraulic excavators and can travel easily across the jobsite to complete various tasks with plethora of attachments. On the other hand, mini hydraulic excavators are smaller in size and can fit through small gates and work easily at crowded sites to complete jobs in tight spaces like indoor projects.

 4. The job conditions: The job conditions like whether it is a hilly, rocky or uneven terrain, loose soil or valley may also help you to decide about the equipment. Generally, BHLs are good for rocky or uneven terrains.

 5. The distance of the jobsite: BHLs can easily drive 25 mph on road surfaces between worksites. On the other hand, mini hydraulic excavators can only be transported through a trailer or utility truck from one jobsite to another for easy transfer.

 6. The size of the equipment: Larger machines like BHLs are usually more sturdy and suitable for tough working conditions. On the other hand, mini excavator size can be 1-3 tonne or more. Out of all the available sizes of mini excavators, the 1 tonne mini excavator is widely used as it is easily movable in narrow and tight spaces due to its compact size.

 So, be it BHLs or mini hydraulic excavators, both have distinct advantage to offer to the contractors or operators. It’s easy to get caught up in the debate of which machine is superior, but the fact of the matter is that none is better than the other. It actually depends on what you are planning to do, where you want to do it and what is the space available with you.

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DO I/MY EMPLOYEES NEED A CERTIFICATION TO OPERATE A SKID STEER?

The short answer: Yes! You and any other employees using a skid steer need to be certified to operate a skid steer. Read on to learn WHY you need to be certified.

 FIRST OFF, WHAT IS A SKID STEER?

A skid steer is most often called a Bobcat, but a Bobcat is a brand of skid steer. It's like calling a tissue a Kleenex or a bandage a Band Aid. Bobcat (Melroe) was one of the first inventors of the skid steer and still to this day is one of the largest manufacturers of skid steers. So why is it called a skid steer? Simply put, the skid steer has to "skid" in order for it to turn. Some newer models however, do offer a 4-wheel steer option, which can be great for sensitive jobs where ground distress needs to be minimal.

 The skid steer has been around since 1960 and can be found now on most construction sites. They are an extremely versatile machine that can take the place of other pieces of equipment when space may be limited. The bucket is not the only attachment the skid steer has. There are so many attachments out there, it would be almost impossible to name them all. Some examples include: forks, brushes, drum packers, and augers.

 WHY IS CERTIFICATION REQUIRED FOR SKID STEER OPERATION?

The skid steer falls under Powered Mobile Equipment Regulations - Section 16 for British Columbia and Section 19 for Alberta. The definition for "powered mobile equipment" as outlined by WorkSafe BC is a wheeled or tracked vehicle which is engine powered, together with attached or towed equipment, but not a vehicle operated on fixed rails or tracks.

 Operators of powered mobile equipment are required to be competent and authorized before operating. WorkSafe BC outlines competency as:

 a) has received adequate instruction in the safe use of the equipment.

 b) has demonstrated to a qualified supervisor or instructor competency in operating the equipment.

 c) if operating equipment with air brakes, has a valid air brake certificate or driver's license with an air brake endorsement, or evidence of successful completion of a course of instruction on air brake systems by an organization acceptable to the Board.

 d) is familiar with the operation instruction for the equipment.

 a)     and c) do not apply if a trainee operates the equipment under the supervision of a qualified instructor or supervisor.

 DO I/MY EMPLOYEES NEED A CERTIFICATION TO OPERATE A SKID STEER?

The short answer: Yes! You and any other employees using a skid steer need to be certified to operate a skid steer. Read on to learn WHY you need to be certified.

 FIRST OFF, WHAT IS A SKID STEER?

A skid steer is most often called a Bobcat, but a Bobcat is a brand of skid steer. It's like calling a tissue a Kleenex or a bandage a Band Aid. Bobcat (Melroe) was one of the first inventors of the skid steer and still to this day is one of the largest manufacturers of skid steers. So why is it called a skid steer? Simply put, the skid steer has to "skid" in order for it to turn. Some newer models however, do offer a 4-wheel steer option, which can be great for sensitive jobs where ground distress needs to be minimal.

 Skid Steer Loader

The skid steer has been around since 1960 and can be found now on most construction sites. They are an extremely versatile machine that can take the place of other pieces of equipment when space may be limited. The bucket is not the only attachment the skid steer has. There are so many attachments out there, it would be almost impossible to name them all. Some examples include: forks, brushes, drum packers, and augers.

 WHY IS CERTIFICATION REQUIRED FOR SKID STEER OPERATION?

The skid steer falls under Powered Mobile Equipment Regulations - Section 16 for British Columbia and Section 19 for Alberta. The definition for "powered mobile equipment" as outlined by WorkSafe BC is a wheeled or tracked vehicle which is engine powered, together with attached or towed equipment, but not a vehicle operated on fixed rails or tracks.

 Operators of powered mobile equipment are required to be competent and authorized before operating. WorkSafe BC outlines competency as:

 a) has received adequate instruction in the safe use of the equipment.

 b) has demonstrated to a qualified supervisor or instructor competency in operating the equipment.

 c) if operating equipment with air brakes, has a valid air brake certificate or driver's license with an air brake endorsement, or evidence of successful completion of a course of instruction on air brake systems by an organization acceptable to the Board.

 d) is familiar with the operation instruction for the equipment.

 a) and c) do not apply if a trainee operates the equipment under the supervision of a qualified instructor or supervisor.

 I'VE BEEN OPERATING FOR MANY YEARS, AM I NOT GRANDFATHERED IN?

Simply put, no. there is no grandfather rule that applies to skid steer certification. With the skid steer falling under Mobile Equipment Section 16 in British Columbia and Section 19 in Alberta, it would require operators to be recertified every three years. Think about it, how could you prove you've operated a skid steer year prior to an OHS officer if they come onto site, or if you have an accident and an investigation is required? Also, has the operation over the past 20 years been done according to OHS and CSA standards? In the end, if a safety audit or investigation was conducted on the work site you or the employee may be working on, it would be in the best interest of the operator and company owner to have proper certification in place.

 WHAT MAKES UP A PROFESSIONAL SKID STEER OPERATOR?

l  Responsible and on-time

l  Rested, alert, and physically prepared

l  Knowledgeable about company and site rules

l  Wears personal protective equipment (PPE)

l  Uses safety equipment and operates in a safe manner (i.e. seatbelt)

l  Has a desire to learn

l  Skilled and works to improve skills

l  Keeps machine under complete control at all times

l  Knows 2-3 steps ahead

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skid steer for Pool/Spa Installation

The enjoyment of having a pool or spa right outside of the home is a dream that is quickly becoming a reality with the help of earthmoving equipment like the mini excavator. Having a piece of construction equipment like the mini excavator has made a mid-sized project like this easier for the contractors and turned what seemed like an impossible property enhancement into a DIY project for many homeowners.

 Underground Pool & Spa Installation

 When beginning the installation of an underground pool it is important to have planned out what the pool will be used for because that will determine what size mini excavator is used. Here is a small list of pool depths along with what size mini excavator is needed according to those depths.

 Choosing the Right Size Mini Excavator for Your Pool or Spa

 If you are looking to install a pool that will have a maximum depth of 5 feet, a smaller excavator around 2,000 pounds or two tons would do the job. However, if the main use for your swimming pool will be focused on diving, you will need a swimming pool that has a minimum depth of 10 feet. To get to that depth, it would require at the very least a 10 ton or 9,500-pound mini excavator to do the job.

 If you are planning on just installing a spa that will be attached to your pool, you can use a tiny mini excavator also referred to as a Micro Machine. These mini excavators usually weight slightly over a ton and ride on retractable undercarriages allowing them to fit through very narrow spaces.

 Mini excavators are said to be as stable as the larger excavators but; it is not recommended to ride up slopes with an angle greater than 20 degrees. Mini Excavators typically go up to 20,000 pounds max. After 20,000 pounds, they are no longer considered mini and would be referred to as excavators.

 Building a Pool/Spa with the Mini Excavator

 We covered a few of the specifications for choosing the right-sized mini excavator based on the depth of the swimming pool, but how does your mini excavator get the job done? Here are some features that make the mini excavator a must-have when installing a pool or spa.

 Best Features for Building a Pool/Spa

1. Mini Excavator Bucket

 Standard mini excavator buckets are the most common attachments seen on mini excavators. They have three to nine teeth for easy ground penetration. Mini excavator buckets typically range from 12 to 24 inches, and the size of the bucket typically matches the size of the mini excavator. The bucket on the mini excavator not only penetrates the ground and digs the hole, but it also carries a large amount of dirt away from the hole. If you feel the need to upgrade to a larger bucket or one with different features, you will find a variety of bucket attachments on the market.

 2. Reduced Tail-Swing or Zero Tail Swing

 Mini excavators are notorious for maneuvering into small confined spaces. A reduced tail swing mini excavator is ideal for working in confined spaces such as your backyard. The counterweight of the mini excavator typically extends only inches beyond the tracks instead of feet.

 The zero-tail-swing, although it can rotate 360 degrees within the undercarriage, has a wider undercarriage making it more difficult to get inside of tight entries such as your backyard. Mini excavators with reduced-tail or zero tail swing can easily work around the obstacles in your backyard without damaging them.

 3. Boom

 The type of boom that your mini excavator is equipped with can make a bigger difference than most people might think. If you are building a rectangle-shaped pool, it might save you time if the mini excavator you are using has boom offset that can be angled so you can dig right angles at both sides. This type of boom offset is a feature unique to Yanmar Mini Excavators.

 Standard boom configurations give the maximum breakout force and lifting capability; mini excavators equipped with long booms have a farther reach and have higher dump heights. Having a longer reach allows operators to keep working without repositioning the excavator.

 4. Blade

 The mini excavator has a powerful blade with the ability to stabilize the mini excavator. The blade can also be used to push a large amount of dirt into a pile or push the concrete into the hole of the swimming pool or spa. A mini excavator with a backfill blade can be transformed into a finish or rough grader.

 Mini excavator blades can be positioned and must be positioned correctly to operate the mini excavator. The mini excavator is designed to let you know when your blade is not positioned correctly to keep the operator safe and the machine from tipping over. Below are some tips for correctly positioning your blade.

 Blade Positioning Tips for a Mini Excavator Under Eight Tons

 When digging, you want to keep your blade in the back and on the ground. This positioning pins your mini excavator to the ground and stabilizes it.

 If you are moving the mini excavator on rough ground or a slope, the blade needs to be in the back and lifted slightly off the ground, if the slope is too tall, the blade will hit the ground to let you know that you need to either reposition the arm linkage down in front or that the slope is just too tall.

 5 Rubber Tracks

 Mini excavators perform at their best when running rubber tracks. Building a pool and spa creates a much larger dirt pile than what most people expect to see in their backyard. Mini excavators running rubber tracks have more traction on those large dirt slopes. Inside of those dirt piles could be sharp materials and having a mini excavator running rubber tracks that are made from highly puncture-resistant materials, like the ones that Monster Tires supplies, can ensure that you don’t have to stop to replace the tracks mid-project.

 To ensure that your mini excavator stays at peak performance, it is crucial to replace your rubber tracks when you notice a lot of wear and tear such as many exterior cracks or the raised portions of your tread are flattened and or no longer visible.

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skid steer for Irrigation & Landscape Design

Using a Mini Excavator for an Irrigation System Install

Homeowners or commercial building owners need an underground irrigation system like a sprinkler system to deliver water consistently to their lawns or gardens. You will need to have PC pipes placed underneath the ground and the mini excavator can quickly and easily help you dig the trenches and place the pipes. A typical irrigation trench has depths that range from six to twelve inches.

 You don’t want to have the dirt falling back into the trenches you just dug which is why it is so important to have an earthmoving machine like the mini excavator to scoop up the dirt and then move it away from the trench. The mini excavator can help get the job done much faster than using a shovel or other handheld equipment. You have the option of using the mini excavator’s hydraulic arm and bucket to backfill the trenches with dirt or you can also use its blade to push the dirt into the trench.

 When you have a mini excavator that can perform a variety of tasks, putting in an underground irrigation system is no longer a time-consuming project.

 Landscaping with the Mini Excavator

The front and backyard of a residential or commercial property can tell a lot about the property. A beautiful garden, stone wall, fountain, or any creative design is usually the first thing people see. Therefore, you can find hundreds of DIY landscaping projects online or outdoor design magazines. Many of these projects require a compact earth-moving machine such as a mini excavator to dig the trenches, move heavy stones, lift fountains, and much more.

 Common Landscaping Projects

Flag Stone Wall

 The mini excavator digs a trench to place the flagstones, picks up the gravel and drops it in the trench, picks up the flagstones and places them on the gravel, and then backfills the trenches with more gravel.

 Tree Surround

 This project requires the use of a mini excavator to dig a circular trench eight inches deep and six inches wide, lifting cement, stones, or brick, and then filling the circular trench with 2 to 3 inches of mulch. You can accomplish all of this with one machine, the mini excavator

 Garden Fountain

 Installing a garden fountain in the past could be a little difficult because many fountains are heavy. This project is made simple by using a mini excavator to lift the heavy fountain, dig the hole to place the fountain in, and then fill the hole.

 Removing Tree Stumps

 A landscaping project could be as small as just removing that old tree stump that has been sitting in the backyard for a decade. Tree stumps can spread decay and invite unwanted species into your yards such as termites, beetles, and carpenter ants who are particularly fond of tree stumps.

 Most homeowners don’t realize what they are getting themselves into when they decide to remove a stump because it’s not so much the stump that is the problem as it is the attached roots buried deep in the ground. Luckily, you have the help of the mini excavator to clear unsightly stumps out of your yard.

 One of the great things about the mini excavator other than its digging capacity is the attachments you can get for it. One attachment that will make this difficult stump removing project a breeze is the thumb attachment. The thumb attachment works like a thumb on your hand when attempting to grab and hold the material in place. Once you can get underneath the stump and you have positioned the arm and bucket to get right underneath the roots, the thumb attachment will clamp down on the tree stump so you can hold it in place once it has been lifted out of the ground.

 Tips for Landscaping Excavation

For most landscaping projects, the machine size is very important, since you are installing irrigation and moving heavy materials to create outdoor environments. It’s a good idea to evaluate environmental limitations carefully. When working in landscaping, there are many times where you need to work in very confined spaces and manufacturers offer models of mini excavators that have retractable undercarriages.

 These retractable undercarriages allow the operator to retract the undercarriage and pass through a narrow gate or fence and then expand the undercarriage to continue working. If you are looking to remove that old stump, look at all the different attachments offered for the mini excavator. Attachments can make landscaping jobs easier and less time-consuming.

 A good set of rubber tracks can make a world of difference in how well your mini excavator performs. Rubber tracks maximize the flotation of your mini excavator, allowing it to float effortlessly over the soft ground while maintaining its traction. Monster Tires provides high-quality tracks and tires for a variety of mini excavator models. We have a team of dedicated staff available to answer your questions.

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skid steer for Digging Holes & Utility Trenches & Drainage Ditches

Digging Holes for tree installation and road signs

Many homeowners want to plant trees in their front and backyards. Contractors are hired as well to plant these trees. Before the use of digging machines like the mini excavator, it was common to see trees being installed into planting holes that were dug using a shovel. However, the decision to use this excavation equipment is not ideal for planting large trees or many trees at one time.

 The mini excavator proves once again to be the perfect digging machine for this project. This earthmoving machine can easily dig to great depths. They can remove large amounts of dirt out of these holes and backfill the holes when the trees have been planted.

 When installing trees, the depth of the hole depends on the root ball and trunk of the tree. Larger trees need to have the root ball sit at least two inches above the soil. It is very important to measure correctly so you don’t dig a hole that is too small, too narrow, or plant the root ball too deep.

 Digging for Road Signs

 What is great about the mini excavator when it comes to digging on the street is their size. Their compact size allows them to work on the side of the roads easily without having to disrupt traffic and their lightweight design enables the mini excavator to operate without special licenses. When installing a street sign like a stop sign or any other sign. It is recommended that the pole sits 1.5 to 3 feet below the surface.

 There are many attachments available for the mini excavator, but the hydraulic auger attachment allows the operator to drill deep holes into soil or concrete. Most mini excavators have two types of mounting options. The first option is a quick attach type that latches automatically or option two that pins onto the dipper stick.

 Utility Trenches

Utility trenches are underground tunnels that house our main water lines, gas lines, sewer, power, and even our telephone lines. These lines can be damaged very easily and need to be placed in soft ground and then covered with a softer material like sand. Utility trenches are usually dug deeper than wide, making them an easy task for the mini excavator to take care of. Utility trenches can be dangerous if you don’t first have the utility location service, mark the water, gas, power, and communication lines by color.

 Determining the soil type can be a huge factor in whether you have a successful trench excavation. Sandy soils, loose stony soils, and wet materials can make digging a straight deep ditch difficult and dangerous. You may need to add one of the following structural support options to complete this project safely:

 Shoring: Using a support structure on the sides of your trench so they don’t cave in. This could be sheets of plywood supported by posts or for trenches deeper than 3 feet; it is recommended to use steel trench boxes or sheet piling.

De-watering: Removing the excess water from the soil to stabilize it. This can be done with a sock pipe along with a mud-hog type diaphragm pump to remove the water as it seeps into the excavation.

Benching the excavation: Digging the trench is steps or tiers so that the sides do not have support more material than they need too.

Mini excavators can be used to dig the trench, backfill the trench, and even compact it with additional attachments.

 Drainage Ditch

Homeowners who live in areas that get a lot of rain can sometimes have problems with water buildup on their property. A drainage ditch can solve that issue. A drainage ditch is a trench that is used to form a pathway for that water to move away from the property. The trench or ditch will end at a logical downhill exit point, such as a small stream or sewer. Unlike the utility trench, the width of the trench should be greater than the depth. The mini excavator is going to easily help you dig the drainage ditch and then fill the bottom of the ditch with large pieces of crushed rock.

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Mini Excavators are Great for Drilling

Drilling holes have never been easier than with the mini excavator. Designed a wide range of attachments available, the mini excavator can drill deep into concrete or soil. Attachments like the auger are equipped with teeth, teeth, and pilot, or drive. Tree augers have a small diameter on the bottom that is mounted to a larger diameter on top, to produce holes for planting trees. Rock bits are the toughest type of auger and are made for digging in solid rock and concrete. Typical projects that require the help of the mini excavator http://www.acrloaders.com equipped with an auger are the following:

 Road Signage Posts

Fence Posts

Tree Planting

Drainage

Landscaping

Mining

Rock Blasting and much more

There are many types of drilling attachments you can buy or rent for your mini excavator. The drilling attachments have slightly different features and benefits.

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skid steer for Jobsite Preparation & Demolition Work

Jobsite Preparation

 Jobsite preparation is always the first step in any construction project. Preparing your job site will involve clearing trees if it is a forestry project. Usually, the first step in forestry site preparation is to clear away the vegetation and surface soil, also called the undergrowth from the site. Clearing the undergrowth first creates a safer space to start the tree removal process.

 For construction job sites, you will want to clear the debris, level the ground, and if need be move materials from one jobsite to another. When building a house or another structure, it is important to use your mini excavator to clear away the surface soil. Surface soil consists of decaying material and roots, making it a very unstable surface to build upon.

 The leftover soil can then be graded using your mini excavator with a grading blade attachment. The graded soil will then be prepared to use as a foundation for concrete to be applied. Site preparation can also include blasting, land drainage, landfill, leveling, and much more.

 Mini excavators are a very popular heavy construction machine found on construction sites because of their versatility. If you use a mini excavator with a long boom, you can demolish old buildings from the top of the roof down to the ground. The demolished materials can then be placed into piles of materials.

 The mini excavator is great at handling materials, especially if you use a bucket with a thumb attachment that can grab onto the debris. Their high boom lift capacity allows them to easily dump the materials into a dump truck. Mini excavators running rubber tracks will have enough traction for this unstable soil and with its puncture-resistant material, the rubber tracks will float over the rough soil and debris without damage to the rubber tracks.

 Demolishing Small Structures

 It is very common for property owners or contractors to need to remove small structures. Property owners sometimes have old barns that have a foundation that is weak and no longer solid. Sometimes they hire contractors to tear down old buildings that contain dangerous materials such as asbestos.

 Homeowners have old sheds that are worn out to the point of no return and are not worth selling anymore. This small structure needs removal and renting or owning a mini excavator can solve this problem. You can equip your mini excavator with an array of attachments, or you can use it as is to tear down a barn or shed. Using a mini excavator to tear down your barn or shed saves you time and money.

 Use a mini excavator with a longer boom when you must reach high structures. If you don’t use a mini excavator equipped with a longer boom, you risk getting too close to the project when reaching up high. If you have a small crawler dump or even a small trailer, you can use your mini excavator to dump all the materials from the shed or barn into the trailer or crawler dump and off your land.

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skid steer for Jobsite Preparation & Demolition Work

Jobsite Preparation

 Jobsite preparation is always the first step in any construction project. Preparing your job site will involve clearing trees if it is a forestry project. Usually, the first step in forestry site preparation is to clear away the vegetation and surface soil, also called the undergrowth from the site. Clearing the undergrowth first creates a safer space to start the tree removal process.

 For construction job sites, you will want to clear the debris, level the ground, and if need be move materials from one jobsite to another. When building a house or another structure, it is important to use your mini excavator to clear away the surface soil. Surface soil consists of decaying material and roots, making it a very unstable surface to build upon.

 The leftover soil can then be graded using your mini excavator with a grading blade attachment. The graded soil will then be prepared to use as a foundation for concrete to be applied. Site preparation can also include blasting, land drainage, landfill, leveling, and much more.

 Mini excavators are a very popular heavy construction machine found on construction sites because of their versatility. If you use a mini excavator with a long boom, you can demolish old buildings from the top of the roof down to the ground. The demolished materials can then be placed into piles of materials.

 The mini excavator is great at handling materials, especially if you use a bucket with a thumb attachment that can grab onto the debris. Their high boom lift capacity allows them to easily dump the materials into a dump truck. Mini excavators running rubber tracks will have enough traction for this unstable soil and with its puncture-resistant material, the rubber tracks will float over the rough soil and debris without damage to the rubber tracks.

 Demolishing Small Structures

 It is very common for property owners or contractors to need to remove small structures. Property owners sometimes have old barns that have a foundation that is weak and no longer solid. Sometimes they hire contractors to tear down old buildings that contain dangerous materials such as asbestos.

 Homeowners have old sheds that are worn out to the point of no return and are not worth selling anymore. This small structure needs removal and renting or owning a mini excavator can solve this problem. You can equip your mini excavator with an array of attachments, or you can use it as is to tear down a barn or shed. Using a mini excavator to tear down your barn or shed saves you time and money.

 Use a mini excavator with a longer boom when you must reach high structures. If you don’t use a mini excavator equipped with a longer boom, you risk getting too close to the project when reaching up high. If you have a small crawler dump or even a small trailer, you can use your mini excavator to dump all the materials from the shed or barn into the trailer or crawler dump and off your land.

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Mini Excavators are Great for Drilling

Drilling holes have never been easier than with the mini excavator. Designed a wide range of attachments available, the mini excavator can drill deep into concrete or soil. Attachments like the auger are equipped with teeth, teeth, and pilot, or drive. Tree augers have a small diameter on the bottom that is mounted to a larger diameter on top, to produce holes for planting trees. Rock bits are the toughest type of auger and are made for digging in solid rock and concrete. Typical projects that require the help of the mini excavator http://www.acrloaders.com equipped with an auger are the following:

 Road Signage Posts

Fence Posts

Tree Planting

Drainage

Landscaping

Mining

Rock Blasting and much more

There are many types of drilling attachments you can buy or rent for your mini excavator. The drilling attachments have slightly different features and benefits.

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skid steer for Digging Holes & Utility Trenches & Drainage Ditches

Digging Holes for tree installation and road signs

Many homeowners want to plant trees in their front and backyards. Contractors are hired as well to plant these trees. Before the use of digging machines like the mini excavator, it was common to see trees being installed into planting holes that were dug using a shovel. However, the decision to use this excavation equipment is not ideal for planting large trees or many trees at one time.

 The mini excavator proves once again to be the perfect digging machine for this project. This earthmoving machine can easily dig to great depths. They can remove large amounts of dirt out of these holes and backfill the holes when the trees have been planted.

 When installing trees, the depth of the hole depends on the root ball and trunk of the tree. Larger trees need to have the root ball sit at least two inches above the soil. It is very important to measure correctly so you don’t dig a hole that is too small, too narrow, or plant the root ball too deep.

 Digging for Road Signs

 What is great about the mini excavator when it comes to digging on the street is their size. Their compact size allows them to work on the side of the roads easily without having to disrupt traffic and their lightweight design enables the mini excavator to operate without special licenses. When installing a street sign like a stop sign or any other sign. It is recommended that the pole sits 1.5 to 3 feet below the surface.

 There are many attachments available for the mini excavator, but the hydraulic auger attachment allows the operator to drill deep holes into soil or concrete. Most mini excavators have two types of mounting options. The first option is a quick attach type that latches automatically or option two that pins onto the dipper stick.

 Utility Trenches

Utility trenches are underground tunnels that house our main water lines, gas lines, sewer, power, and even our telephone lines. These lines can be damaged very easily and need to be placed in soft ground and then covered with a softer material like sand. Utility trenches are usually dug deeper than wide, making them an easy task for the mini excavator to take care of. Utility trenches can be dangerous if you don’t first have the utility location service, mark the water, gas, power, and communication lines by color.

 Determining the soil type can be a huge factor in whether you have a successful trench excavation. Sandy soils, loose stony soils, and wet materials can make digging a straight deep ditch difficult and dangerous. You may need to add one of the following structural support options to complete this project safely:

 Shoring: Using a support structure on the sides of your trench so they don’t cave in. This could be sheets of plywood supported by posts or for trenches deeper than 3 feet; it is recommended to use steel trench boxes or sheet piling.

De-watering: Removing the excess water from the soil to stabilize it. This can be done with a sock pipe along with a mud-hog type diaphragm pump to remove the water as it seeps into the excavation.

Benching the excavation: Digging the trench is steps or tiers so that the sides do not have support more material than they need too.

Mini excavators can be used to dig the trench, backfill the trench, and even compact it with additional attachments.

 Drainage Ditch

Homeowners who live in areas that get a lot of rain can sometimes have problems with water buildup on their property. A drainage ditch can solve that issue. A drainage ditch is a trench that is used to form a pathway for that water to move away from the property. The trench or ditch will end at a logical downhill exit point, such as a small stream or sewer. Unlike the utility trench, the width of the trench should be greater than the depth. The mini excavator is going to easily help you dig the drainage ditch and then fill the bottom of the ditch with large pieces of crushed rock.

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skid steer for Irrigation & Landscape Design

Using a Mini Excavator for an Irrigation System Install

Homeowners or commercial building owners need an underground irrigation system like a sprinkler system to deliver water consistently to their lawns or gardens. You will need to have PC pipes placed underneath the ground and the mini excavator can quickly and easily help you dig the trenches and place the pipes. A typical irrigation trench has depths that range from six to twelve inches.

 You don’t want to have the dirt falling back into the trenches you just dug which is why it is so important to have an earthmoving machine like the mini excavator to scoop up the dirt and then move it away from the trench. The mini excavator can help get the job done much faster than using a shovel or other handheld equipment. You have the option of using the mini excavator’s hydraulic arm and bucket to backfill the trenches with dirt or you can also use its blade to push the dirt into the trench.

 When you have a mini excavator that can perform a variety of tasks, putting in an underground irrigation system is no longer a time-consuming project.

 Landscaping with the Mini Excavator

The front and backyard of a residential or commercial property can tell a lot about the property. A beautiful garden, stone wall, fountain, or any creative design is usually the first thing people see. Therefore, you can find hundreds of DIY landscaping projects online or outdoor design magazines. Many of these projects require a compact earth-moving machine such as a mini excavator to dig the trenches, move heavy stones, lift fountains, and much more.

 Common Landscaping Projects

Flag Stone Wall

 The mini excavator digs a trench to place the flagstones, picks up the gravel and drops it in the trench, picks up the flagstones and places them on the gravel, and then backfills the trenches with more gravel.

 Tree Surround

 This project requires the use of a mini excavator to dig a circular trench eight inches deep and six inches wide, lifting cement, stones, or brick, and then filling the circular trench with 2 to 3 inches of mulch. You can accomplish all of this with one machine, the mini excavator

 Garden Fountain

 Installing a garden fountain in the past could be a little difficult because many fountains are heavy. This project is made simple by using a mini excavator to lift the heavy fountain, dig the hole to place the fountain in, and then fill the hole.

 Removing Tree Stumps

 A landscaping project could be as small as just removing that old tree stump that has been sitting in the backyard for a decade. Tree stumps can spread decay and invite unwanted species into your yards such as termites, beetles, and carpenter ants who are particularly fond of tree stumps.

 Most homeowners don’t realize what they are getting themselves into when they decide to remove a stump because it’s not so much the stump that is the problem as it is the attached roots buried deep in the ground. Luckily, you have the help of the mini excavator to clear unsightly stumps out of your yard.

 One of the great things about the mini excavator other than its digging capacity is the attachments you can get for it. One attachment that will make this difficult stump removing project a breeze is the thumb attachment. The thumb attachment works like a thumb on your hand when attempting to grab and hold the material in place. Once you can get underneath the stump and you have positioned the arm and bucket to get right underneath the roots, the thumb attachment will clamp down on the tree stump so you can hold it in place once it has been lifted out of the ground.

 Tips for Landscaping Excavation

For most landscaping projects, the machine size is very important, since you are installing irrigation and moving heavy materials to create outdoor environments. It’s a good idea to evaluate environmental limitations carefully. When working in landscaping, there are many times where you need to work in very confined spaces and manufacturers offer models of mini excavators that have retractable undercarriages.

 These retractable undercarriages allow the operator to retract the undercarriage and pass through a narrow gate or fence and then expand the undercarriage to continue working. If you are looking to remove that old stump, look at all the different attachments offered for the mini excavator. Attachments can make landscaping jobs easier and less time-consuming.

 A good set of rubber tracks can make a world of difference in how well your mini excavator performs. Rubber tracks maximize the flotation of your mini excavator, allowing it to float effortlessly over the soft ground while maintaining its traction. Monster Tires provides high-quality tracks and tires for a variety of mini excavator models. We have a team of dedicated staff available to answer your questions.

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skid steer for Pool/Spa Installation

The enjoyment of having a pool or spa right outside of the home is a dream that is quickly becoming a reality with the help of earthmoving equipment like the mini excavator. Having a piece of construction equipment like the mini excavator has made a mid-sized project like this easier for the contractors and turned what seemed like an impossible property enhancement into a DIY project for many homeowners.

 Underground Pool & Spa Installation

 When beginning the installation of an underground pool it is important to have planned out what the pool will be used for because that will determine what size mini excavator is used. Here is a small list of pool depths along with what size mini excavator is needed according to those depths.

 Choosing the Right Size Mini Excavator for Your Pool or Spa

 If you are looking to install a pool that will have a maximum depth of 5 feet, a smaller excavator around 2,000 pounds or two tons would do the job. However, if the main use for your swimming pool will be focused on diving, you will need a swimming pool that has a minimum depth of 10 feet. To get to that depth, it would require at the very least a 10 ton or 9,500-pound mini excavator to do the job.

 If you are planning on just installing a spa that will be attached to your pool, you can use a tiny mini excavator also referred to as a Micro Machine. These mini excavators usually weight slightly over a ton and ride on retractable undercarriages allowing them to fit through very narrow spaces.

 Mini excavators are said to be as stable as the larger excavators but; it is not recommended to ride up slopes with an angle greater than 20 degrees. Mini Excavators typically go up to 20,000 pounds max. After 20,000 pounds, they are no longer considered mini and would be referred to as excavators.

 Building a Pool/Spa with the Mini Excavator

 We covered a few of the specifications for choosing the right-sized mini excavator based on the depth of the swimming pool, but how does your mini excavator get the job done? Here are some features that make the mini excavator a must-have when installing a pool or spa.

 Best Features for Building a Pool/Spa

1. Mini Excavator Bucket

 Standard mini excavator buckets are the most common attachments seen on mini excavators. They have three to nine teeth for easy ground penetration. Mini excavator buckets typically range from 12 to 24 inches, and the size of the bucket typically matches the size of the mini excavator. The bucket on the mini excavator not only penetrates the ground and digs the hole, but it also carries a large amount of dirt away from the hole. If you feel the need to upgrade to a larger bucket or one with different features, you will find a variety of bucket attachments on the market.

 2. Reduced Tail-Swing or Zero Tail Swing

 Mini excavators are notorious for maneuvering into small confined spaces. A reduced tail swing mini excavator is ideal for working in confined spaces such as your backyard. The counterweight of the mini excavator typically extends only inches beyond the tracks instead of feet.

 The zero-tail-swing, although it can rotate 360 degrees within the undercarriage, has a wider undercarriage making it more difficult to get inside of tight entries such as your backyard. Mini excavators with reduced-tail or zero tail swing can easily work around the obstacles in your backyard without damaging them.

 3. Boom

 The type of boom that your mini excavator is equipped with can make a bigger difference than most people might think. If you are building a rectangle-shaped pool, it might save you time if the mini excavator you are using has boom offset that can be angled so you can dig right angles at both sides. This type of boom offset is a feature unique to Yanmar Mini Excavators.

 Standard boom configurations give the maximum breakout force and lifting capability; mini excavators equipped with long booms have a farther reach and have higher dump heights. Having a longer reach allows operators to keep working without repositioning the excavator.

 4. Blade

 The mini excavator has a powerful blade with the ability to stabilize the mini excavator. The blade can also be used to push a large amount of dirt into a pile or push the concrete into the hole of the swimming pool or spa. A mini excavator with a backfill blade can be transformed into a finish or rough grader.

 Mini excavator blades can be positioned and must be positioned correctly to operate the mini excavator. The mini excavator is designed to let you know when your blade is not positioned correctly to keep the operator safe and the machine from tipping over. Below are some tips for correctly positioning your blade.

 Blade Positioning Tips for a Mini Excavator Under Eight Tons

 When digging, you want to keep your blade in the back and on the ground. This positioning pins your mini excavator to the ground and stabilizes it.

 If you are moving the mini excavator on rough ground or a slope, the blade needs to be in the back and lifted slightly off the ground, if the slope is too tall, the blade will hit the ground to let you know that you need to either reposition the arm linkage down in front or that the slope is just too tall.

 5 Rubber Tracks

 Mini excavators perform at their best when running rubber tracks. Building a pool and spa creates a much larger dirt pile than what most people expect to see in their backyard. Mini excavators running rubber tracks have more traction on those large dirt slopes. Inside of those dirt piles could be sharp materials and having a mini excavator running rubber tracks that are made from highly puncture-resistant materials, like the ones that Monster Tires supplies, can ensure that you don’t have to stop to replace the tracks mid-project.

 To ensure that your mini excavator stays at peak performance, it is crucial to replace your rubber tracks when you notice a lot of wear and tear such as many exterior cracks or the raised portions of your tread are flattened and or no longer visible.

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MY EMPLOYEES NEED A CERTIFICATION TO OPERATE A SKID STEER?

The short answer: Yes! You and any other employees using a skid steer need to be certified to operate a skid steer. Read on to learn WHY you need to be certified.

 FIRST OFF, WHAT IS A SKID STEER?

A skid steer is most often called a Bobcat, but a Bobcat is a brand of skid steer. It's like calling a tissue a Kleenex or a bandage a Band Aid. Bobcat (Melroe) was one of the first inventors of the skid steer and still to this day is one of the largest manufacturers of skid steers. So why is it called a skid steer? Simply put, the skid steer has to "skid" in order for it to turn. Some newer models however, do offer a 4-wheel steer option, which can be great for sensitive jobs where ground distress needs to be minimal.

 The skid steer has been around since 1960 and can be found now on most construction sites. They are an extremely versatile machine that can take the place of other pieces of equipment when space may be limited. The bucket is not the only attachment the skid steer has. There are so many attachments out there, it would be almost impossible to name them all. Some examples include: forks, brushes, drum packers, and augers.

 WHY IS CERTIFICATION REQUIRED FOR SKID STEER OPERATION?

The skid steer falls under Powered Mobile Equipment Regulations - Section 16 for British Columbia and Section 19 for Alberta. The definition for "powered mobile equipment" as outlined by WorkSafe BC is a wheeled or tracked vehicle which is engine powered, together with attached or towed equipment, but not a vehicle operated on fixed rails or tracks.

 Operators of powered mobile equipment are required to be competent and authorized before operating. WorkSafe BC outlines competency as:

 a) has received adequate instruction in the safe use of the equipment.

 b) has demonstrated to a qualified supervisor or instructor competency in operating the equipment.

 c) if operating equipment with air brakes, has a valid air brake certificate or driver's license with an air brake endorsement, or evidence of successful completion of a course of instruction on air brake systems by an organization acceptable to the Board.

 d) is familiar with the operation instruction for the equipment.

 a)     and c) do not apply if a trainee operates the equipment under the supervision of a qualified instructor or supervisor.

 DO I/MY EMPLOYEES NEED A CERTIFICATION TO OPERATE A SKID STEER?

The short answer: Yes! You and any other employees using a skid steer need to be certified to operate a skid steer. Read on to learn WHY you need to be certified.

 FIRST OFF, WHAT IS A SKID STEER?

A skid steer is most often called a Bobcat, but a Bobcat is a brand of skid steer. It's like calling a tissue a Kleenex or a bandage a Band Aid. Bobcat (Melroe) was one of the first inventors of the skid steer and still to this day is one of the largest manufacturers of skid steers. So why is it called a skid steer? Simply put, the skid steer has to "skid" in order for it to turn. Some newer models however, do offer a 4-wheel steer option, which can be great for sensitive jobs where ground distress needs to be minimal.

 Skid Steer Loader

The skid steer has been around since 1960 and can be found now on most construction sites. They are an extremely versatile machine that can take the place of other pieces of equipment when space may be limited. The bucket is not the only attachment the skid steer has. There are so many attachments out there, it would be almost impossible to name them all. Some examples include: forks, brushes, drum packers, and augers.

 WHY IS CERTIFICATION REQUIRED FOR SKID STEER OPERATION?

The skid steer falls under Powered Mobile Equipment Regulations - Section 16 for British Columbia and Section 19 for Alberta. The definition for "powered mobile equipment" as outlined by WorkSafe BC is a wheeled or tracked vehicle which is engine powered, together with attached or towed equipment, but not a vehicle operated on fixed rails or tracks.

 Operators of powered mobile equipment are required to be competent and authorized before operating. WorkSafe BC outlines competency as:

 a) has received adequate instruction in the safe use of the equipment.

 b) has demonstrated to a qualified supervisor or instructor competency in operating the equipment.

 c) if operating equipment with air brakes, has a valid air brake certificate or driver's license with an air brake endorsement, or evidence of successful completion of a course of instruction on air brake systems by an organization acceptable to the Board.

 d) is familiar with the operation instruction for the equipment.

 a) and c) do not apply if a trainee operates the equipment under the supervision of a qualified instructor or supervisor.

 I'VE BEEN OPERATING FOR MANY YEARS, AM I NOT GRANDFATHERED IN?

Simply put, no. there is no grandfather rule that applies to skid steer certification. With the skid steer falling under Mobile Equipment Section 16 in British Columbia and Section 19 in Alberta, it would require operators to be recertified every three years. Think about it, how could you prove you've operated a skid steer year prior to an OHS officer if they come onto site, or if you have an accident and an investigation is required? Also, has the operation over the past 20 years been done according to OHS and CSA standards? In the end, if a safety audit or investigation was conducted on the work site you or the employee may be working on, it would be in the best interest of the operator and company owner to have proper certification in place.

 WHAT MAKES UP A PROFESSIONAL SKID STEER OPERATOR?

l  Responsible and on-time

l  Rested, alert, and physically prepared

l  Knowledgeable about company and site rules

l  Wears personal protective equipment (PPE)

l  Uses safety equipment and operates in a safe manner (i.e. seatbelt)

l  Has a desire to learn

l  Skilled and works to improve skills

l  Keeps machine under complete control at all times

l  Knows 2-3 steps ahead

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Deciding Whether a Backhoe Loader or Mini Hydraulic Excavator is a Better Fit

A Backhoe Loader (BHL) or a mini hydraulic excavator? This question haunts many contractors and is often a very debatable topic. Some may say that mini hydraulic excavator is better than the BHL while some may say vice versa. However, the answer is that both the equipment are irreplaceable and have different set of advantages to offer.

 Before going into the debate further, we need to understand the definition of the two...

 What is a mini hydraulic excavator?

 Mini hydraulic excavators are compact, lightweight, portable and wheeled vehicles in the earthmoving equipment category. They generally come with a standard backfill blade and independent boom swing. Despite their small size and apart from digging, mini excavators can do grading, lifting heavy items, compacting a subgrade and many other tasks. Based on the digging depth of the boom and bucket, mini excavators come in various sizes.

 Two popular types of mini excavators include tail swing and zero tail swing. The tail swing model features a rear counterweight that stabilises the excavator during operation and offsets added weight in the bucket. This model provides great lift capabilities and bucket and arm breakout force. On the other hand, providing comparable levels of performance when it comes to dig depth, reach and cutting and dump height, the zero tail swing excavators are also efficient. They are easier to navigate in tight work areas.

 What is a BHL?

 A BHL consists of three pieces of construction equipment i.e., tractor, loader and backhoe combined into one unit. All the three pieces of equipment are suited to do various sorts of work. The tractor is used for moving the other two components from place to place. As for the loader and backhoe, when you dig up a lot of dirt to make a hole, you generally require a loader to either move the dirt out of the area or to fill it back when the work is done. Thus, the most common application of a backhoe loader is digging a trench with the backhoe and then filling it back with the loader. The backhoe has three segments i.e., boom, stick and bucket.

 Apart from performing the above-mentioned basic tasks, BHLs can be used for demolitions, breaking asphalt, laying roads, transporting materials, levelling, loading and much more at the job site with various additional attachments.

 Backhoe Loader v/s mini hydraulic excavator

 Both Backhoe Loader and mini excavators are highly versatile and multi-purpose equipment that can be employed for numerous applications. However, it is not at all possible to replace any one of it with the other because both offer strong benefits in different situations.

 Which is a better fit?

 Both the equipment i.e., mini hydraulic excavators and Backhoe Loader have their own strengths and weaknesses. Hence, you need to first identify your requirement well and then figure out which is better for your specific situation. Typically, versatility, mobility and transportability are the three major differentiating parameters for the two equipment.

 Below are some parameters that can help you to decide whether a BHL or mini hydraulic excavator is a better fit at your job site...

 1. The type of job: The type of job that you want to perform will help you to determine the equipment that you need. So, before choosing any equipment, take some time to determine the technicalities involved with the job that you are planning to do at the construction site. For small demolitions, light transportation of building materials, digging holes, landscaping, breaking asphalt, paving roads, laying pipes, planting underground cables, laying foundation for buildings and drainage systems, you might require a BHL. For digging at a large scale, grading, lifting heavy items and compacting a subgrade, mini excavators can be used.

 2. Other applications: In addition to performing tasks such as digging, trenching, lifting, excavating and loading, BHLs can also be used to travel at higher speeds like in case of snow removal. On the other hand, being compact and lightweight, mini hydraulic excavators are used to minimize track marks and ground damage. They are also blessed with the capability to make a 360-degree swing.

 3. Space at jobsite: Backhoe Loader are larger equipment than the mini hydraulic excavators and can travel easily across the jobsite to complete various tasks with plethora of attachments. On the other hand, mini hydraulic excavators are smaller in size and can fit through small gates and work easily at crowded sites to complete jobs in tight spaces like indoor projects.

 4. The job conditions: The job conditions like whether it is a hilly, rocky or uneven terrain, loose soil or valley may also help you to decide about the equipment. Generally, BHLs are good for rocky or uneven terrains.

 5. The distance of the jobsite: BHLs can easily drive 25 mph on road surfaces between worksites. On the other hand, mini hydraulic excavators can only be transported through a trailer or utility truck from one jobsite to another for easy transfer.

 6. The size of the equipment: Larger machines like BHLs are usually more sturdy and suitable for tough working conditions. On the other hand, mini excavator size can be 1-3 tonne or more. Out of all the available sizes of mini excavators, the 1 tonne mini excavator is widely used as it is easily movable in narrow and tight spaces due to its compact size.

 So, be it BHLs or mini hydraulic excavators, both have distinct advantage to offer to the contractors or operators. It’s easy to get caught up in the debate of which machine is superior, but the fact of the matter is that none is better than the other. It actually depends on what you are planning to do, where you want to do it and what is the space available with you.

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India - The Best Place for Investing in Construction Equipment

The Construction Equipment (CE) market in India is growing at a very fast pace due to increased impetus being laid by the government on development of the country’s infrastructure. In addition to this, rapid urbanization, increasing foreign investments, growing mining industry and surging demand for customized equipment are few of the other major factors which are propelling the demand for CE in India.

 As per a report released by Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association (ICEMA), “The Indian construction industry is expected to grow to $5 billion by 2019-2020.” These numbers clearly prove that India is going to see a major CE revolution in the coming years and it is the right time for the interested parties to make an investment in CE in India.

 A brief note on Construction Equipment market in India

 Before discussing in detail the projects, plans, factors and future that will make India the best place to make an investment in CE in the coming years, we need to first understand as to what constitutes the CE market. Typically, the CE sector in the country is made up of five main segments. These include earth moving equipment, road CE, concrete equipment, material handling equipment and material processing equipment. The earth moving equipment and road CE segment account for close to 70 per cent of India’s CE market. The concrete equipment is the second largest segment with a market share of approximately 14 per cent. Material handling equipment and material processing equipment segment account for 10 per cent and 6 per cent of the market respectively.

 According to Sameer Bansal, Director, Off-Highway Research India, “CE sub-sectors such as earth moving, road construction and material handling equipment saw 36 per cent growth in 2016 and a further 17 per cent rise in 2017 with a new peak of 78,109 units. The sales of these equipment is expected to increase further by 8 per cent during 2020 and 2021 and by 6 per cent in 2022 to peak at 110,815 units.”

 What makes India a lucrative destination for investing in Construction Equipment in the present and future?

 1. Growing infrastructure sector:

 Infrastructure sector which includes power, bridges, dams, ports, railways, roads, real estate and urban infrastructure is highly giving a boost to the CE industry in the country.

 Particularly, it is the roads and highways sector in the current infrastructure development scenario which is expected to be the main growth driver for the CE industry followed by railways, irrigation and ports. This is because the budgetary allocation for National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) was increased by 10 per cent to Rs 916.63 billion in the 2018-19. Also, the government is aiming to develop the Golden Quadrilateral connecting four major metropolitan cities viz. Delhi-Mumbai- Chennai-Kolkata. Construction of North South and East West Corridors (NS-EW) connecting Srinagar to Kanyakumari and Sachar to Porbandar with a spur from Salem to Cochin is also on cards of the government. Government is also aiming at six lining of existing four-lane highways. Also, increased impetus is being given to the development and maintenance of rural roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadako Yojana (PMGSY).

 Apart from this, various other big-ticket infrastructure projects have been announced by the government. These include Smart Cities Mission, Baramulla Pari yojana, Agartala Programmed for modernization of ports, increasing connectivity and port linked industrial hubs, airport development and upgradation program, Jal Marg Vikas, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Housing for All and Diamond Quadrilateral for high-speed railways, river linkages and bullet trains.

 Even the rural infrastructure development has picked up the pace in the country. The government is looking to construct 3.17 lakh km of roads, 51 lakh new houses, 1.88 crore toilets and providing electricity connections to 1.75 crore new households in the year 2018-2019 in the rural areas. Obviously, all these projects and developments would demand CE and this will give an overall boost to the various CE sub-segments in the country in the present times as well as in future.

 2. Growth in the construction activities:

 As per the report from ResearchAndMarkets.com, the CE market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8 per cent during Financial Year 2018-Financial Year 2024 on account of the country’s expanding construction industry. It is also believed that by 2025, construction market in India will emerge as the third largest globally. This growth in the construction sector is supposed to have a direct impact on the CE sector as more and more CE would be needed to fulfil the needs of modern construction sites.

 3. Increasing need for mechanization:

 Till recently, construction activities in India used traditional methods which were slow and archaic. Now, gearing up to the new realities of timely project execution with a bonus clause for early completion, quality output, higher productivity, reliability and safety and various infrastructure projects on hand, the focus is shifting towards innovation, automation and advanced technologies. Today, there is an increasing need for modernized and mechanized methods of construction and thus, more and more CE with newer intelligent features like remote access devices, automatic controls and increased sophistication as against the manual labor are being demanded. It is believed that for every 0.5 per cent increase in mechanization, the CE demand would rise by $30-35 billion.

 To sum up

 Looking at the above factors, it can be safely concluded that India among all the developing countries is growing as one of the best places to make investment in the CE sector. Given the fact that the country requires about $7 trillion infrastructure investment over the next seven years and for that the government has already started taking proactive steps, this would impact the CE business greatly.