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What To Consider Before Booking Excavator Hire

P.R Weldhen • Jul 28, 2020
Excavator hire services are used across the UK daily for a wide range of projects. We all recognise the sight of large construction sites working on building projects. However, mini diggers and other excavator hire options are also available for domestic clients working on their homes. In fact, excavator hire services are in higher demand as the desire to work on home improvements and renovations increases.

Recent studies suggest that more homeowners are choosing to renovate their home rather than move. This is due to a competitive and impenetrable property market and the rising costs associated with moving home. As well as this, there is an increased desire amongst people for building their own homes from scratch! The number of people wanting to build their homes has increased by more than 80%!

In both of these areas, excavator hire services may be required to complete the jobs at hand. However, for those who have never booked excavator hire services before, this can be a confusing process. To give you some help, we’ve created a guide to help you understand what you need to keep in mind.

Looking For Plant Hire Near Me? Here’s What You Need To Know For Your Excavator Hire
Depending on the type of construction project you are working on, a different type of excavator hire may be required. Excavators come in all shapes and sizes. From mini diggers to 21-tonne excavators, different types of plant machinery are designed for different purposes. When deciding on your excavator hire, it’s vital to keep your project in mind.

Choosing The Best Excavator Hire For The Project at Hand
Choosing your excavator hire option should be driven by the needs of your project. Small and large projects with different site size restrictions will require excavators of different sizes.

Domestic
Although we’re used to seeing excavators on large sites, they can also be invaluable for those working on domestic projects. The most common type of excavator for a smaller domestic project is a mini excavator. This type of machinery is perfect for working in tight spaces like a garden and can still be surprisingly effective.

If you have a small project then searching for a ‘mini digger hire near me’ might be beneficial. Mini diggers are perfect for general landscaping projects in which earth needs to be moved. They’re also suitable for digging trenches for pipes and foundations for construction. So, if you’re making changes to your garden or even building a home, this might be the right choice for you.

Commercial and Large-Scale
Although mini diggers can be used effectively for some larger projects, you’ll likely need something with a bit more power. Construction projects require speed and efficient earth-moving which can be provided by larger plant machinery.

These projects might require mid-sized excavators - which have mobility as well as power. They may also require anything up to 20 tonnes or even larger. These standard and large-sized excavators offer superior power and reach to ensure that a large-scale project can be completed efficiently and effectively. These excavators can also be fitted with different tool attachments for different jobs.

What Strength and Digging Depth Does Your Excavator Hire Require?
Guided by the type of project you are working on, the strength and digging depth capability of your excavator should also be a primary consideration. The excavator you choose needs to be powerful enough to get the job done. However, you also must balance that with the type of site you have. The excavator hire you choose may be too heavy for the type of ground you’re working with.

To ensure that you have enough power for the job at hand, check the hydraulic system associated with your chosen excavator. More hydraulic power will equal better efficiency. For larger projects that require deep digging, consider a better hydraulic system with a stronger engine. You should look into the specs of the bore and piston stroke for accurate specs. When looking into digging capabilities, ensure that the bucket capacity of your chosen digger will meet the standards you need. Bigger buckets mean you can shift more ground.

The Space You Have Available To You
As already touched upon, the size of the site you have available will have a direct impact on the type of excavator you should hire. For larger sites, a much larger excavator may be required. In sites like this, you’ll have to shift tonnes of earth across distances in the most efficient way possible. However, for smaller sites, your excavator mustn’t get in the way of the project.

In these circumstances, where space is limited, you should opt for a nimble excavator hire. When this is a primary requirement, look for excavators which have zero tail swing or zero house swing. These types of excavators allow drivers to operate close to walls and other machinery without the risk of breaking anything. Zero tail swing ensures that an excavator can move with little risk of accidental impact, which is critical when working in tight spaces.

Are You Looking For a Self-Drive Hire or Require a Driver?
Excavator hires often come with the option of either operating the machinery yourself or having a qualified driver. Mini digger hires can sometimes be operated with little or no qualifications, depending on their size. However, for much larger excavators, you’ll need to have a trained operator to complete the work at hand.

In addition to this, having an operator from the company you are hiring the excavator from will ensure that you are protected by insurance. If you make a mistake and cause damage to your home when operating an excavator yourself, you may not be covered by the insurance and will have to shell out for the damage yourself. Unless you have adequate experience, it’s always worth having a professional take the wheel.

For Agricultural Businesses, Farm Machinery Hire Might Be More Useful
Although excavator hire services may be useful for some agricultural projects - like digging irrigation trenches or laying new piping - farm machinery hire is usually the best option. If your requirements also involve agricultural work, most excavation hire companies will also stock agricultural machinery to meet those needs as well. From grain trailers to diggers and tractors, you should be able to find a machine that accommodates your needs.

Looking For Farm Machinery Hire or Plant Hire Near Me in Cornwall? Look No Further Than P.R Weldhen Plant Ltd
If you’ve been searching for ‘mini digger hire near me’ for a domestic project or farm machinery hire for your agricultural business in Cornwall, look no further. We provide cost-effective and reliable plant hire services for a range of projects. Whether you’re looking for plant hire near me for a domestic project or a large-scale commercial project, we can help. Our fleet of vehicles can handle whatever needs you have.

Based in Newquay, P.R Weldhen are leaders in the local industry and we’ve worked with countless clients. Helping our customers realise their projects with our machinery, we should be your choice of all the ‘plant hire companies near me’. We have full public liability insurance on our machinery, can provide short or long term hires and provide competitive rates. Whether you are looking for a self-drive hire or a CPCS registered driver for your machinery, we have an option for you.

To find out more, please feel free to contact us today. You can find us at P.R Weldhen Plant Ltd
Trekenning Farm, Trekenning, Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 4JA. Alternatively, call us on 01637 880 087 or email us at office@prweldhen.co.uk. 
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