Whether you are installing a swimming pool at your residence or you are part of a construction organisation that builds roads, homes or other major structures, earthmoving aids can help make the task easier. It's critical to match the right equipment with the scope and size of your project. Choosing the wrong piece of equipment could end up costing you time and money. Here are some common earthmoving tools and how they work to help you get started.
Wheeled Excavators
These are among the most popular machines for a plethora of projects, including for horticulture, landscaping and installing swimming pools. As the name suggests, these machines are equipped with wheels, which makes it convenient to travel from one location to another. For example, the attached bucket can load up dirt from one side of your property, then move it to another location where there may be a truck waiting to be filled.
Crawler Excavators
These look similar to wheeled excavators, but they are equipped with rubber tracks that wrap around the wheels. This makes it easy for the machines to 'crawl' over hills, bumpy areas, rocks and other rough terrain. These are generally meant for larger projects or projects where distance is an issue (between the fill site and location of truck to dump fill into).
Stationary Material Handling Machines
These machines don't move around among the job site (hence the word 'stationary') and are equipped with a claw-like structure for picking up a variety of materials. The arm of the machine moves from side to side, picking up material and dropping it in another location. The length of the arm can vary depending on the size of the machine. These are normally used for debris such as scrap metals, building debris, wood, etc.
Choosing the Right Machine
Sometimes, it can be unclear exactly what type of machine you need for your project, especially if you are not used to dealing with heavy equipment. When in doubt, contact a professional and licensed company to help you decide. They will assess your needs and give you expert advice on what would work best for you. Keep in mind, too, that you will need a qualified operator for any heavy machinery you choose.
Construction projects big and small require planning, patience and skill. A large part of your success will be in choosing the right equipment and the right professionals to help. Make sure you get the expert advice you're looking for before starting any excavations. Always think about safety first, budget second.
