DIY Archives - Page 10 of 11

Tips and Tricks to Operating an Excavator

January 25, 2017 by admin

There are many types of excavator, or digger as they are also known, and operating an excavator isn’t something just anyone can take on, but with some basic training and a little practical experience, most people would be able to accomplish basic tasks. Experienced excavator operators can save a lot of time and money on a construction project, and are essential tools for many industries. If you fancy yourself at the controls of a large excavator, or even a bobcat, here is some basic advice to help you get started.

Front Bucket

All excavators will be equipped with a front bucket, which is connected to two large arms that can move up or down, and with hydraulic connections at the bucket itself, the angle can be tilted, and some bucket attachments have a leading edge that can open, which is ideal for dumping soil onto a platform truck. If you are in Australia, and need to move some earth, there is affordable excavator hire by RME, who have a wider range of machines of various sizes. Even a mini excavator can move a significant amount of material in one hour, and with a trained operator at the controls, the job will be done in no time.

Study the Setting

A good operator would survey the location first, looking at height and turning restrictions, or any cables that might be in the way, before starting work. A few minutes contemplating might well save hours, and with experience, the operator can carry out many different actions, keeping the project on schedule.

Levelling

Similar to a bulldozer, an excavator can be used for grading and levelling ground, and the front bucket might have a blade attachment, which allows the machine to be used as a snow plough, for example. The primary function of the front bucket is earthmoving, and some excavators will have several front attachments that can be used for heavy work. Excavator hire companies have all of the attachments, and the operator would be the best person to make the switch, as he knows the machine.

Weight Limits

The excavator will have a maximum weight that it can safely lift, and this should never be exceeded, as the machine could overturn. Large excavators will have a concrete counter weight that balances a heavy front load, and the operator should always be aware of the settings of the counter weight, especially if lifting heavy loads. If the excavator has exterior supports, they must be firmly in place before starting work, and this provides a solid base which is needed when lifting heavy loads.

Private Hire

If you have some heavy work to do in the garden, or are building a double garage, a Bobcat would be the ideal tool. Most reputable hire companies would have a range of earthmoving equipment, and would surely have Bobcat hire, and if you have never operated an excavator, it would be best to “wet hire” the machine, which means it comes with a qualified operator.

There are training schools for excavator operators, and after a person understands the basics, they can begin to get some hands-on experience, preferably with an experienced operator at hand.

What Should you Know Before Hiring a Bobcat Service?

January 18, 2017 by admin

Source

A Bobcat is an extremely versatile piece of machinery and is an invaluable addition to any construction project, especially in the initial stages. If a project involves removing an existing structure, often a Bobcat and a tipper truck is the quickest and easiest way to remove the old building. Bobcats are specialised machines and usually one would hire from a company that would also provide a skilled operator.

The Operator

Operating a Bobcat is a skilled profession, so having a good driver is paramount, as he or she would have experience and would be able to make decisions there and then, and with their expertise, a lot of time, and therefore money, can be saved. If the truth be known, the operator is probably more important than the bobcat, as it is the operator’s skills that enable a satisfactory outcome. The operator should be approachable and always ready to offer advice, and should be customer focused and be prepared to go that extra mile to see the job is well done and on schedule. If you are in the Perth area, and are planning a construction project, or just need to clear some land, try Bobcat hire in Perth from RME, who also provide other earthmoving equipment to suit the job at hand.

Professional Advice

The ideal thing to do is call in a Bobcat hire company, and they will send someone to look at the project. With their wealth of experience in all things construction, they will be able to recommend the right machine, and with their skilled operator at the controls, the job will be completed on schedule. If there is excavating to be carried out, you cannot just dig and wait to see what you find. You first need to check if there are any power lines, water, or drainage pipes under that area. Chopping through a mains cable or smashing a main water pipe could have disastrous results, so it is essential to source the utilities first. There are non-destructive tests that can soon locate these, with no need for exploration digging, which is both time consuming and expensive.

Reliability

This is paramount, as the entire project is choreographed and if the Bobcat isn’t ready when it should be, everything is held up. So, it is essential that the machine and operator are ready and waiting on site at the agreed time.

The Scope of Work

A Bobcat can be used for many jobs, including:

Pool excavation
Backfilling
Ground clearance
Site cleaning
Rubbish removal

The machine itself is quite narrow, which allows the operator to access tight spaces, and with a range of attachments, it can be used to grade or landscape areas. By attaching a special set of forks, a Bobcat can become a fork lift truck, ideal when the building supplies arrive loaded on pallets.

If you think a Bobcat would be useful for your project, talk to a hirer who can confirm whether in fact, a Bobcat is the right piece of equipment, and they can also provide a skilled operator who will ensure the job gets done on time.

Top 4 Essential DIY Garden Maintenance Tips

December 13, 2016 by admin

Maintaining that fresh and vibrant look for your garden can be tough to keep on top of – especially now that the winter is well underway. That being said, over the next month or so the weather will once more start to improve and there will be more chances to get back into the garden to start tidying up your space. So what are the top ways to keep your garden looking great? To give you some help, we’ve put together these 4 DIY tips that don’t require masses of effort to keep it looking neat and tidy!

Keep It Hydrated

When using the term hydrated, this doesn’t mean giving your lawn and flowers a once over with the garden hose, though Flexogen garden hoses are a great choice – it means that your soil needs the right amount of water according to your plants actual needs. Less of a worry in winter but certainly more of one in the summer, brown leaves and rotten vegetation are signs of flowers and plants drying out. Alternatively, sodden soil and excess water means you might be going overboard, so make sure you’re giving them some time to recover. If you have shrubs or plants, then you can look to get a sprinkler installed to make your life that little bit easier.

Weeding & Pruning

Overgrowing bushes and hedges can make your garden look messy and out of sorts so keep on top of them. Go around your garden and inspect every inch of your space, cut those weeds off at the root to stop them from damaging the health of your flowers and popping up in between your flags. A great tip you need to get on board with is setting up a compost bin or pile at the back of your garden. This is a great place to dispose of those dead leaves and vegetation in a safe and environmentally friendly way. Furthermore, it allows you to produce your own, rich in nutrients soil, saving you money and helping your plants to grow quicker in the future.

Furniture Care

When it comes to your outdoor furniture, it’s important to not neglect it. Whilst it’s made for the garden, it will need some TLC so if it’s looking unclean or a bit worn, maybe it’s time to give it some attention. If a seating arrangement made from wood, then make sure you top up the pieces with a bit of paint or varnish. If it’s a cane furniture suite your working with, then a simple wipe down and brush is enough to keep the sofa set looking great. As obvious as it sounds, your garden furniture can affect the look of your garden just as much as your greenery so don’t neglect what you have.

Add Some New Flowers

Putting in some new flowers, shrubs or even a new flowerbed is a great way to maintaining that fresh, vibrant and exciting look. Choose colours that compliment your gardens aesthetic and colour scheme and don’t be afraid to experiment with new kinds of flowers to keep things interesting. Just make sure you follow the right care guidelines so they don’t die on you after a week! Such a simple and cheap change, adding some new flowers is easy to do and can have a massive effect on making your garden look great.

Why are Children so Obsessed with Trucks?

November 19, 2016 by admin

“Mum, there’s a truck!” are the cries that many parents are all too familiar with and there’s just something about trucks that make them completely fascinating to children. From their tipping abilities to the deep roaring sound they make when they go past – kids can be entertained for hours watching trucks. And it’s not only boys who love to play with trucks, daughters love them too and what’s even better than toy trucks? Real trucks of course!

Tilt Tray Trucks

Hiring trucks is fairly easy and there are many reasons why a truck may need to be rented, from moving house to transporting heavy machinery. Affordable tilt tray hire can be organised online through a reputable company and below are some of the features that every rented tilt tray truck should come with:

Fitted with ROPs
Long range fuel tanks
Safety equipment
Hand rails
A reversing camera
Emergency stop features
Container locks

Information like this can always be found on a company website when organising the rental vehicle.

Top Tip: It is important to ensure that children who are around big trucks are monitored at all times, as the excitement of seeing a truck in person can lead to accidents.

Other Trucks

Kids don’t care what type of truck it is; as long as it makes lots of noise, picks things up and is big they will love it. Some parents may need to rent a service truck and these are often used for professional purposes to transport different products and materials. Renting a truck is a great way to get things from A to B without having to find the spare cash to invest in one and it can be a cost effective way to make use of a truck as and when one is needed.

Below is a list of some of the most popular trucks that are available to hire through reputable rental companies:

Backhoes
Tippers
Vacuums
Prime Movers
IT Loaders
Skid Steer
Water Carts

They all serve a slightly different purpose and it is a good idea to contact the provider before booking anything to get some professional advice about which type of truck will best suit different needs.

Plant hire in Perth from Total Plant Hire is an example of the type of reputable and affordable rental company that should be contacted to organise a rental truck and the best rental companies will always have a website people can look at before making a booking.

It’s true, children love to play with trucks but so do adults and they can be extremely useful when it comes to transporting anything from heavy equipment to household belongings to a different location. Buying a truck isn’t always necessary and it is usually far better value to simply rent one as and when it’s needed and this is also a great way to ensure that the right truck is used for different purposes.

How to Throw the Best Birthday Party. Ever!

September 26, 2016 by admin

Birthdays are special, and the party person should have an unforgettable experience, if the event is well planned. There are companies that specialise in organising celebrations, and whatever the occasion, they have an ideal program for every age group. If the group is adventurous and like to be outdoors, why not arrange a special beach party? There are many activities that can be incorporated into the program, and there are other exciting trips on the menu, so there’s something for everyone.

The right transport

The ideal way to start the celebrations is by arranging some unique transport, and if one is looking for a party bus in Joondalup, there are online solutions with amazing buses that enable one to take the party feeling onto the road. One can prepare one’s own playlist, and have all the favourite tunes playing on the hi-tech sound system as the party moves off.

The right program

Let the Perth party bus take the group on a memorable pub crawl, which makes a change from dinner and drinks at the local, and it’s an ideal way to wind down after a day of fun. The organisers have special associations with all the night time entertainment venues, so there’s no need to queue, as the group will have a priority booking. If one has a preferred venue, this can be included in the tour, but if a person is stuck for ideas, the party bus people can make a few suggestions.

A mystery tour

One could always shroud the event in mystery, and only tell the guests where they must wait for a pick up. Imagine the look on their faces when the decorated party bus comes around the corner, lights flashing and music blaring. Then they will be whisked off to unique places, and with a party bus, the celebrations can get into full swing before arriving at the first venue.

Party the safe way

No party would be complete without a few drinks, and usually there will be at least one unlucky fellow who is the designated driver. A party bus eliminates the need for any driving by the partygoers, so when you send out your birthday invitations you’ll know all your friends can enjoy the night. With a choice of one way or return transport, there is something for everyone. Drinking and driving is a serious offence and it just isn’t worth taking the risk, and for many guys, driving is part of their work, and the consequences could be life changing. Be responsible and hire a party bus, and then everyone can have a good time.

Tailored to suit

Whatever the occasions, whatever the age, there is a suitable party bus tour, and with many years of experience, the day is bound to be a memorable one. The party bus can be decorated the night before, and with a dance floor and a great sound system, the swinging can begin on the road. If one is bored with the regular party ideas, why not try something unique?