There are many main sizes of diggers and multiple variations. This is because different diggers need to undertake different jobs on different scales. For example, you wouldn't trust a micro digger to do a large-scale site, however, you might trust a 3-ton instead.
What are the different types of diggers?
Micro Excavators
6 tons
Best for smaller workspaces and indoor work
This is the smallest digger available on the market and as a result, tends to be the least expensive. They are compact, making them useful in smaller spaces and indoor areas. They can be hauled on-site using a standard class 1 or 2 truck making them perfect for everyday garden work.
Mini Excavators
6-10 tons
Provides more power while remaining compact
This is a slightly bigger digger than the micro, however, can still be used for indoor and small space work. They are also suitable for standard and small-scale sites because of the power it offers. This would be your best bet if you are doing basic site or garden work.
Standard Excavators
10-45 tons
Sometimes referred to as "Crawler Excavators"
More power
Standard excavators make up for the largest amount of site work due to their flexibility with what they can do. They are built for reach and power, and because of their hydraulic system, it makes them capable to attach multiple tools onto the digger for increased versatility. This is the best digger for most outdoor sites, because of its flexibility and appropriate size for most construction tasks.
Large Excavators
>45 tons
Massive amounts of power
Requires oversized trucks to transport
This digger is perfect for massive, commercial-scale projects and demolitions. This is because of the size and power of this digger. This however comes at the cost of mobility and price. Since these diggers are so big, they need to be transported on massive trucks to and from the site.
What To Consider When Hiring A Digger.
There are many things to consider, this can be the size of your site, what's In your budget for a digger, and many more factors! Here are a few ways to come to the conclusion of what digger is needed for your site.
Budget
The budget, for most sites, is the most important element that determines the equipment a site will use. Every site wants a top-of-the-line digger, however, not all of them are in that price range. If your site is on a more limited and smaller budget, it's best to get a micro or mini digger, however, if the site is a larger, better-paying one then a standard or large excavator might be better suited.
Size of site
Budget isn't the only thing that determines what excavator to use. Site size is also a massive indicator of what digger to get. If you cannot fit a large excavator on your site, chances are you're not going to hire one. Always check the dimensions of your digger before you decide to hire it to make sure it's an appropriate size.
Dig Depth
If you need to dig a deep hole or move a massive amount of debris, a micro excavator isn't going to be your first choice of diggers. Unfortunately, the size equates to the reach of your digger, smaller diggers cant reach down and dig deep or even carry a lot of weight since there is a chance it might tip. However, it is completely budget inefficient to get too big of a digger if you only need to do minimal work.
Lifting capacity
Smaller diggers have smaller buckets and therefore cannot pick up large loads of debris. They also might tip over because of the imbalance the weight in the bucket causes on smaller diggers. When working with heavy debris or large amounts of debris, it is always best to get a larger digger to suit.
Worksite conditions
Worksite conditions also matter when taking into account what digger, more specifically what model, to get. If your site takes place indoors, it needs to be small enough to get through buildings without causing much fuss, a micro excavator would be best suited for this job. However, if your job takes place outside, on dirt, you need tracks which can properly grip and move through the dirt, especially if that dirt is wet which makes it more difficult to move on.
If you arent sure which digger you need on a site, contact our experts on 0121 504 3333.