Excavator Buying Guide
If you haven’t had too much experience with heavy equipment, you’ll probably find it hard to figure out what you need to get your work done. Even if you’re looking for relatively well-known machines like excavators, there are so many makes and models out there that even veterans can sometimes become muddled about which one does what.
To help you out with your search for the perfect excavator for your worksite, we at West Hills Tractor have compiled this short guide. If you have any questions or concerns, stop by our location in Jonesborough, TN and talk to our trained technicians. To check out some amazing excavators for sale near Johnson City and Greenville, get in touch with us today!
Type of Work
The trick to buying an excavator goes beyond just finding the cheapest or even the most expensive excavator. You need to get one that will fulfill the needs of your project or worksite. Think about what you need to move, where the excavator will have to go and how often you’ll be making use of it. If you have a mostly clear idea about what you want, you instantly eliminate a whole bunch of models that don’t fit the role.
Size
One of the biggest determining factors when it comes to selecting the right excavator is the size. There needs to be a balance between the amount of work space you have with the weight of the material you need to move. If you’re in a big city, you may not have the space needed for a big excavator to squeeze through. Even though it might take you longer to clear away the debris, your hands will probably be tied. However, the more room you have—and the bigger your project—the bigger your excavator can be.
Weight
Remember that the heavier and bigger the materials you need to move, the stronger a base you’ll need to ensure the excavator doesn’t get damaged or tip over. Most smaller jobs or companies can get away with a compact excavator or mini excavator. These machines are measured by the ton and the categories can range from a couple tons to up to 40 tons. Anything more than that and you’re looking at the giants. These can be useful in specific instances, but never buy more than you need
Engine Power
The size of the excavator usually goes hand-in-hand with the engine power. It might seem like a good idea to get yourself the most powerful engine you can afford, but if you don’t need all that power, it’s just a waste of money and space. Have a general idea of how powerful the engine needs to be to finish your tasks and take something in that range. While weight won’t play as big a role in deciding what you get, it’ll probably affect what your excavator can do, so make sure you know the limits.
Bucket Capacity
One of the biggest factors to take into consideration when buying an excavator is the bucket capacity. This also is usually in tandem with the size of the excavator. However, you have an advantage here: even if your excavator comes with a particular bucket capacity, you can always invest in additional buckets that you can switch out with the one you have. Just ensure that the rest of the machine can handle the new bucket capacity as well.
We hope this helps you in finding the right excavator for your needs! If you have any questions or concerns, come down to West Hills Tractor and we’ll do our best to help you out. To check out some quality excavators for sale in Jonesborough, TN visit our dealership today. We’re proud to serve the good people of Johnson City and Greenville.