Excavators are massive construction machinery used primarily for extensive deep digging projects. These powerful pieces of equipment can also be used for carrying heavy materials and have a strong lifting capacity to move large objects. Excavators made in America and beyond are composed of a cab, arm, boom, and bucket. They can be maneuvered in different directions as the operator’s cab is attached to a platform with tracks and wheels, also called the ‘house.’
Depending on the project and requirement, a property may require various types of excavation services. As an example, industrial enterprises may require heavy machinery for material handling and transfer. Meanwhile, large-scale construction may need an excavator to dig the ground, create large holes, and build foundations.
Many locations across different states in the country require excavator operators to have specialized training, work permit, and driver’s license before taking on construction projects. Also, acquiring this heavy machinery requires a substantial investment. Thus, home and business owners alike opt to hire excavation services on an as-needed basis for practicality, convenience, and efficiency.
Excavators can be utilized for specific purposes, depending on what a property requires. Here are some examples:
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When A Project Involves Earthmoving Processes
Earthmoving involves relocating large quantities of soil, sand, rocks, and other earth materials using heavy machinery. Excavators are used mainly for this purpose, especially in large-scale construction projects. Some of the earthmoving capabilities of excavators include digging trenches and creating holes, as well as transferring heaps of earth materials from one point to another.
Because of this functionality, you can consider hiring an excavation contractor Idaho Falls and from surrounding areas if your project is located in Idaho and if you need large-scale earthmoving services. They can provide you with a convenient solution and help you save time as you work on your project.
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When High-Powered Demolition Machinery Is Needed
Excavators are purposeful in structural demolition processes of various scopes and scales too. For example, many demolition companies prefer to use mid to large excavator machines with a breaker attachment. This attachment is a heavy-duty percussion hammer used to break down concrete in buildings. Depending on the requirement, a demolition project may require several breaker excavators to apply force on a structure and completely tear it down.
Aside from having a strong hammering mechanism, excavators also have a long reach that can go up to 30 feet, ideal for breaking down tall buildings. The arms and body of this machinery are also flexible in movement and can be conveniently maneuvered for various functions. Moreover, excavators with pulverizing attachments can help tear down residential structures such as old swimming pools, driveways, and walls.
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When A Property Needs Land Clearing And Debris Removal
Many construction projects require land clearing and debris removal to prepare a site for a new build, as having dug soil, rocks, sand, and debris from a demolished structure can disrupt work processes. For instance, digging a trench usually leaves vast heaps of earth materials on the side of the excavated ground. Before laying pipes or placing construction materials on the prepared site, the dug soil would need to be moved for better work efficiency.
Excavators have clamp attachments that can be effectively used for heavy material handling, and this capability is ideal for land clearing or moving debris away from a worksite. The high-powered carrying and lifting capability would be suitable for clearing massive boulders, demolished pillars, and other heavy items that need to be extracted.
On the other hand, the bucket attachment is perfect for scooping up large quantities of soil, sand, and gravel. Because of their huge capacity, power, and maneuverability, excavators can quickly move dug earth materials for efficient debris clearing processes.
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When Underground And Foundation Excavation Is Required
Underground excavation, also called tunneling, refers to making passageways underground through digging ground. To create a tunnel, excavator operators use attachments such as an auger and bucket to bore a sizeable hole in the background, enough to allow passage or mechanical movement in the emptied space.
Tunneling is a labor-intensive task when done manually, and this is why hiring excavation services would be a more convenient and time-efficient solution for property owners.
Meanwhile, foundation excavation involves digging a measured perimeter on the ground to make way for a building base. Depending on the soil quality, its composition, and the size of the base, unraveling the ground may take long hours of intensive labor and may require several workers to complete the task. Thus, mechanical excavation is also a more practical method to streamline the job.
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When A Project Site Requires Backfill Compaction And Grading
Excavators can also put back loose ground and provide coverage where needed.
Case in point, a trench that’s been dug up for pipe laying may need to be sealed using soil and other earth materials. In this scenario, excavator operators will use the same ground removed from when the trench was dug to fill the empty space and cover the pipeline. Then, the loose soil will be compacted and leveled using rollers or plate attachments. This process is also known as backfill compaction, which gives way to grading in some cases.
An excavator is used to sculpt or level the ground according to the project requirements during the grading process. For agricultural property, grading is done to make way for plants and crops. On the other hand, on a house construction site, the ground is prepared to create a lawn and walkway through mechanical grading.
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When Building Septic Systems
The excavator’s groundbreaking and digging ability are also used to build septic systems. Septic tanks require sufficient depth and square footage to accommodate the requirements of the property or establishment it supports.
For instance, a two-to-three-bedroom home would require a septic tank with a 1000-gallon capacity. At the same time, a high-rise building may need several tanks to accommodate wastewater coming from multiple bathrooms. Henceforth, mechanical excavation methods are standard for residential and commercial building projects.
It’s essential to hire excavation services to fulfill the size requirements of a fully-functional septic system. Doing so would help you simplify the task at hand and may even be more cost-effective than manual labor. In addition, professional excavation may also be ideal if you’re working on a large-scale project to optimize work efficiency and precision.
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When Designing Landscape
Property construction costs, both residential and commercial, include landscaping.
Designing a landscape requires several digging tasks to make way for putting up posts and planting tall trees. By using a compact excavator with an auger bit, the ground will be drilled to create holes where the posts and trees will be erected. This drilling method is ideal for landscaping since the arm and the attachment can be maneuvered and operated without disturbing other elements in the area, such as ornamental plants and decorative fixtures.
An excavator, meanwhile, can also be equipped with cutting blades or shears that can be used for cutting wood, tree trunks, and fence posts. Then, heavy and bulky materials such as wood, trees, and boulders can be moved using the clamp attachment.
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When Tackling Forestry Tasks
Several excavator attachments are ideal for forestry work, including cutting blades, shears, clamps, and mulchers. These attachments allow multiple functionalities for excavators to make them highly useful in forestry. Aside from managing greenery, operators also use this machinery to clear paths, cut trees and branches, and clear debris.
Excavators are ideal for large-scale forestry projects as they increase work efficiency and may help minimize the risk for ground workers. The high-powered mechanical system eliminates the need for manual handling of materials, and operators can safely work with cutting and hauling tools while inside the vehicle.
Furthermore, one excavator can take on several tasks simultaneously, like cutting, handling, moving, or loading greenery, making it a convenient and efficient work solution for forestry industries.
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When Requiring Underwater Excavation
Amphibious excavators, also called swamp buggies, are floating excavators commonly used for underwater digging tasks. This type of excavator is specially designed to work on soft terrains and swampy areas, hence the name. These machines can also float, making them ideal for digging in different bodies of water.
Here are some examples of applications for floating excavators:
- Cleaning of lakes, ponds, or waterways;
- Dredging;
- Flood protection;
- River maintenance and protection;
- Flood protection and waterway maintenance;
- Landscape building; and
- Oil and gas piping construction.
Swamp buggies can also be used on land, making them versatile machinery ideal for various purposes. Consequently, if your property needs both land and underwater excavation, hiring amphibious excavator services may be best.
Conclusion
Over the years, high-powered excavation services have significantly improved the time and work efficiency of many landscapers and contractors. The multiple capabilities of an excavator machine can substantially reduce the amount of time, resources, and manual labor required to complete a project. Plus, the mechanical power and precision enhance the quality of work done, giving property owners more value for their investments.
Henceforth, if you have a construction project on your property that you’d like to streamline, it may be the perfect time to work with professional excavation companies. This solution is ideal for those who’d like to improve efficiency in demolition, clearing worksites, landscaping, and other large-scale tasks that require high-powered machinery. It can also be helpful if you want a more convenient and effective alternative to manual processes.
