Three Acquisition Tips For Excavation Equipment

Excavators and other types of machinery used for earthmoving seldom come cheap. Considering the large number of options when it comes to excavation equipment, a business owner looking to make a first-time investment may have difficulty choosing the best excavator out of several.

In order to make the right choice between different types of excavators, an interested business owner needs to know a few things about making this all-important purchase. Three tips on the same are discussed below.

Check For Tier-4 Compliance

Tier-4 is a term used to make reference to a set of performance standards spelt out for the use of excavation equipment. The incorporation of these standards in the manufacture of excavation equipment is aimed at reducing the harmful emissions often produced when excavators are in use.

Tier-4 compliance in excavation equipment is indicated by certification of such equipment by the relevant state governing agencies.  Compliance with Tier-4 standards helps to minimize the negative environmental impact associated with the use of excavators and excavation-related activities in general.

In a large number of states, business owners who use non-compliant excavation equipment may be liable for prosecution for breaching legislative policies aimed at protecting the environment.

Check For Compatibility With Excavator Attachments

The attachment is the working component of an excavator charged with the actual responsibility of excavating. Excavator buckets are the traditional attachment used with standard excavation equipment. These buckets have toothed edges that allow for the digging of gravel, dirt, and similar types of excavation debris.

However, buckets are not the only attachment that can be used with excavation equipment. Other commonly used types of attachments include hydraulic hammers, augers, and rakes among others. The various types of attachments are suitable for use in different excavation-related applications.

Compatibility with different types of attachments allows for the excavators to be used in different commercial applications by simply changing the attachment.

Some Additional Features To Check For

Additional features to look for in an excavator include, but they're not limited to the following:

• Climate-controlled cab: The cab houses the person operating excavation equipment. A climate-controlled cab allows the equipment operator to adjust temperatures therein for increased comfort and greater productivity. Climate control would be an important feature for excavation equipment that is to be used in harsh climate areas (e.g. those that experience heavy snowfall
• Backfill blades: A backfill blade will be attached under the excavator's boom. After excavation-related activities, the backfill blade is used to refill the excavated area.