What is a mini exacavator
There are many types of equipment and machinery that help construction jobs get completed. A common sight on building sites is a mini excavator. This article will discuss what that is and how it can be used.
What is a mini exacavator?
As the name suggests, a mini excavator is a piece of equipment that is like a small one-man backhoe that weighs less than a ton to up to three tons. It has a digging appliance attached to it to to make trenching and earthmoving easy and faster than if it was done by human workers with shovels.
See more about this machine on this Wikipedia page.
How do mini excavators work?
Mini excavators are usually diesel-powered, but there are electric models available. Similar to backhoes, they are typically controlled and steered by trained operators. They have an arm with a bucket that can be extended by the operator and teeth on the bucket that can scoop soil.
Look for brands like Bobcat and CAT. Most people in need of equipment like this rent them. And in the UK you’ll see websites that offer an inventory of machines that let you know a mini digger hire is available.
Height and weight
Mini excavators are small in stature and weigh in from about 0.75 of a ton to up to 3 tons. They are small enough and light enough to be hauled on a small trailer behind an SUV or pickup truck. Sometimes they are delivered on a flatbed truck.
The smallest version can roll through a standard door with clearance.
A typical size is that of the Bobcat 324 which is a compact rubber track mini excavator with a narrow width of just 38.6″ and 153.7″ in length, and has a height of 85.5″.
Why use an mini excavator?
Most people use mini excavators or mini diggers for small construction jobs. You will often see them in use when digging swimming pools or trenches for pipes or sewers. They are ideal for getting into tight areas as they roll on caterpillar tracks. They are economical to operate and not hard to learn how to use.