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Tips and Tricks to Operating an Excavator

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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?

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A Bobcat T650 compact track loader in the VDNKh, Moscow, Russia. A side view.

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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.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!