Excavators are among the most important and commonly used pieces of large machinery that you’ll find at job sites in all types of construction projects. They’re highly useful and essential tools that can be used for construction jobs small and large.
If you’re a newbie to the world of construction equipment and are preparing to hire contractors to take on a project for you, it’s important to have a basic understanding of the tools that will be used to get the job done. Here’s a quick overview of some basic excavator facts that you should be aware of before starting your project in San Jose, CA:
Sizes: Excavators come in several different sizes. You can obtain mini excavators, midsize excavators and large excavators. The size you choose will depend on the scope of the job. You will, of course, need to make sure any excavator you choose actually fits on the job site, and you should also consider the amount of material you need to remove and the efficiency with which you need to get the work done.
Weight: Excavators are very heavy pieces of equipment, and even the small, compact varieties will come in at nearly two tons. Excavators can get massive in size, with some of the largest getting up to more than 188,000 pounds. Excavators may even need to be specially created for specific types of jobs.
Digging ability: Obviously, excavators need to be able to dig efficiently and effectively. While the smallest excavators might only be able to dig down a few feet deep, they’ll still be able to quickly create trenches for utility installation. Larger excavators might have maximum digging depths of as much as 32 feet, allowing for multi-level subsurface facilities, basements and foundations.
Power: Excavators are used for a wide range of purposes in the construction industry, so it’s no surprise that they also come with many different power ratings. Net power for excavators can range from 14.5 horsepower on the low end to up to 512 horsepower on the high end. The amount of power you need will depend on geologic conditions in your area, the kind of work you’re doing and the amount of material you wish to move.
Maintenance: Excavators, like any other piece of moving equipment, require some ongoing preventative maintenance to ensure they’ll remain in good operational condition for years to come. The final drive motor on the excavator is one of the most important parts to focus on with maintenance. In many cases, final drive motors that suffer premature failure to so because they had a clogged case drain filter, so keeping those filters clean and clear is crucial. In addition, final drive gear oil should be inspected after 100 hours of operation or once a month, whichever is more frequent, and the oil should be changed at least once a year regardless of the frequency of use.
Interested in learning more of what you need to know about excavators and their functionality in San Jose, CA? Contact the experienced professionals at Lewis and Tibbitts, Inc. for more information.