How the Right Excavator Improves Project Efficiency and Productivity

Accurate timelines and cost savings are the backbone of construction and landscaping success. Operators and supervisors must balance efficiency and quality to meet customer expectations.

Earthmoving accounts for 20% of the total expenditure of a project, and any delays or inefficiencies can increase this number. Selecting the right equipment is the first step to streamlining your operational processes.

Why Excavators Matter in Modern Construction

Excavators are the most popular type of construction equipment, making up over 40% of the global market. This heavy-duty equipment is invaluable on many construction and landscaping sites, digging and moving vast amounts of material. Understanding how excavators work is essential to boost efficiency and productivity.

Modern excavators enhance work efficiency by performing multiple tasks, including digging, crushing, lifting and cutting. Different excavators perform specific functions, allowing optimal use depending on the project. These machines also boast innovative hydraulics systems, reducing manual labor through efficient operation.

Excavator Types and Applications

Many excavator types exist to suit projects of different scopes and sizes. Selecting the right one is the first step to boosting project efficiency. Some common excavator types and applications include:

• Compact excavators: Also known as mini excavators, these machines are prized for projects requiring precision. They are excellent for navigating urban areas and small, congested spaces.
• Wheeled excavators: These excavators work like crawlers but have wheels instead of tracks, making them faster and easier to operate on flat surfaces.
• Dragline excavators: These massive machines are essential for large-scale projects requiring significant earthmoving.
• Suction excavators: These models have a suction pipe and release a water jet to soften the ground before digging, adding precision to reduce damage on delicate jobs.
• Long-reach excavators: The extended arm and boom on these excavators boost productivity at vast distances. 
• Crawler excavators: Crawler excavators operate on tracks, providing additional balance and stability for heavy lifting on rugged terrain.
• Skid steer excavators: Skid steer booms and buckets face away from the operator, making them useful in narrow and congested spaces.

The Benefits of Using an Excavator

Having an excavator on your job site gives you and your team several advantages.

• Enhanced precision: An excavator’s advanced hydraulics system allows operators exceptional control over movement and function, producing accurate work in complex activities and reducing the need for rework. 
• Boosted functionality: Excavators work with multiple attachments, providing customized functionality for specific tasks. Quick and convenient coupling enhances workflows, and suitable attachments reduce waste and error. 
• Increased versatility: Excavators perform numerous tasks, eliminating the need for additional equipment. With the right attachments, they can perform the functions of equipment such as hydraulic cranes, backhoes, loaders, compactors and drilling machines.
• Improved profitability: An excavator’s enhanced fuel efficiency and reliability make projects more profitable. 
• Elevated job site safety: Modern excavators boast state-of-the-art technology to boost safety and improve operator visibility and comfort. Keeping your job site safe also enhances productivity, eliminating unnecessary delays.

What to Consider When Choosing an Excavator

Incorrect excavator selection can limit excavator efficiency and create avoidable project delays. The right materials and technology impact construction project success, so your chosen equipment must always match project demands. Some critical factors to consider when selecting an excavator include:

• Bucket capacity: As excavators are primarily used for digging, bucket capacity is one of the most critical considerations in excavator selection. Your chosen excavator’s bucket capacity must align with the volumes and weights you intend to move.
• Size and weight: An excavator’s dimensions are critical to your project. It must fit in the available space without being too small. If an excavator is too heavy, it can damage the job site. If it’s too light, it can pose a safety risk when overloaded.
• Balance and counterweight: How the excavator is balanced is also crucial to project safety and efficiency. Your chosen machine must have adequate counterweight to anchor itself when lifting the intended load or navigating site terrain.
• Ergonomics and safety: Operator comfort is essential, especially on long projects. They must also have excellent visibility to ensure your team’s safety. Many excavators have innovative safety features you can leverage to increase productivity.
• Engine power: Selecting an excavator involves balancing power and performance with job site limitations. The engine must have enough torque and horsepower to perform various jobs and strong hydraulics to improve overall efficiency.

A reliable rental partner can help you narrow your choices. Together, you can align equipment specs with your project goals, ensuring you have all the gear you need to complete your job.

How to Improve Construction Project Efficiency

Once you’ve chosen the ideal excavator for the task, you can employ additional strategies to boost excavator productivity and streamline your operations.

Evaluate the Job Site

One of the most significant advantages of renting an excavator is its ability to perform several critical functions. When working on a complex job, your machine must handle challenges on the site itself.

Job site conditions can change instantly, halting productivity. Matching the excavator to the terrain is paramount in many construction and landscaping applications. Your rental partner can assist with selecting equipment for different terrains and changing weather conditions.

Consider Proper Load Management

Boosting excavator productivity involves strategic best practices for handling loads. Consider the material and load capacity you need before choosing the right engine power and bucket capacity.

An excavator that’s too large will impact your efficiency and cost savings, as you’ll invest unnecessary money in rental and fuel costs. If you choose a model that’s too small, your operators will have to make additional job cycles to complete the same amount of work, also adding to your operating time and costs.

Your operators also play a significant role in load management and overall productivity. Use the following tips for sustained on-site productivity: 

• Set up correctly: Determine where to put your spoil pile, ensure you have room to move and examine the terrain. 
• Examine your attachments: Attachments should always be perfectly coupled before you begin a job. Consider maximum reach attachments and the weight and density of the material you’re moving.
• Leverage technology: Modern excavators boast technological advancements purpose-built to enhance efficiency and productivity. Ask your rental partners about how you can leverage these to streamline your workflow. For example, telematics and mobile access control can expedite maintenance and determine precise digging locations, eliminating the need for rework.
• Provide comprehensive training: Even experienced operators can benefit from training on a new or unfamiliar excavator. Reliable rental partners provide training on your rented equipment to streamline tasks like switching attachments and controlling machine movements for fast and accurate project completion.

Partner With Herc Rentals for the Ideal Excavator Match Today

Choosing the right excavator is simple and convenient when you partner with Herc Rentals. Our expert team prides itself on going the extra mile to select the ideal excavator for your job requirements. Our extensive fleet features premier brands suited to various project requirements so you can choose the perfect machine for every application.

We understand the industry’s time and productivity requirements and offer services to make your rental more convenient. We collect and deliver your earthmoving equipment and provide comprehensive safety training to ensure your operators can work confidently. Our equipment is maintained at the end of each rental, eliminating unexpected delays and ensuring you have access to reliable machinery when you need it most.

If you’re looking for a rental partner with all the gear you need to boost project efficiency and productivity, contact Herc Rentals today for access to a premier selection of excavators tailored to your needs.