Excavator Hire to Improve Site Efficiency

Every construction manager wants to improve the efficiency of their site and are always looking for new ways to improve. Whether it’s pre-construction planning, site management, employee productivity, or safety, these factors need to be taken into account as they can have a huge impact on the performance of your site.

For a business to maintain a good reputation and to make a healthy profit, they rely on the right tools and equipment. This ensures jobs are completed to a high standard so that clients are happy with the finished product. In terms of operations on site, having the right equipment also means all aspects of a project can run smoothly, allowing management to spend less time sorting minor problems and dedicate more time to important tasks.

Using an excavator is just one way construction sites can improve site efficiency. These large, earth-moving pieces of equipment can speed up operations in a number of ways which we’ll explore in more detail below. And if you haven’t got the capital or the storage to purchase your own equipment outright, excavator hire from YardLink is the perfect solution.

Why Is Efficiency So Important in Construction?

A priority for any construction manager is to complete projects within time and on budget. When dealing with a client, they will agree on a timeline which must be followed. After all, clients will want to occupy this space as soon as possible and will be relying on your team to meet their expectations.

If there are delays or disruptions, this can push the entire project back. For example, if the roof isn’t in place when it was scheduled to be, then the installation of the windows will be pushed back. If the installation of the windows are pushed back then so will interior jobs such as plastering and decorating. It’s a process and every piece of work that is delayed has a knock-on effect on future operations.

Unfortunately, according to recent data, only a third of projects are completed on time and within budget. Therefore, improving site efficiency should be a top priority for any construction manager. It’s about identifying problems across technology, operations, workforce, and management which can be very costly.

Consider the following statistics:

• 45% of construction professionals report spending more time than expected on non-optimal activities.
• $1.63 trillion could be saved annually from infrastructure productivity changes.
• 35% of construction professionals’ time is spent (over 14 hours per week) on non-productive activities including looking for project information, resolving conflicts and dealing with mistakes and rework.

These pieces of data provide you with visibility into the state of efficiency within construction. It should be a priority for any construction manager to seek ways to improve efficiency, starting with choosing the right equipment.

Benefits of Using an Excavator

Using an excavator is just one way to make your job safer, easier, and more time efficient. Usually before you can start any building project, there will be some landscaping to do first to make the area flat and usable for its intended use.

With its ability to lift a large amount of soil, an excavator is a must-have for your site. Featuring a bucket, arm, rotating cab, and movable tracks, these pieces of equipment have superior digging power and mobility. Whether it’s lifting heavy pieces of debris or landscaping an uneven terrain, excavators are ideal for a variety of applications.

Let’s take a look at some of the other benefits.

Multi-tasker

There are a number of different types of excavators, each capable of performing certain tasks. The most common types of excavators include crawlers, diggers, long reach excavators, and mini diggers.

Each product works best for different jobs so it’s important to understand which type is most suitable for your project. However, it’s good to know there is a variety to choose from allowing you flexibility and control when selecting the equipment you need. Furthermore, some of the options above are capable of completing a variety of tasks meaning you can get more for less.

For example, on mini diggers you can swap the standard scoop for skid steer buckets, forks, hydraulic rock grabbers, and brush cutters. This means with one hire, you can complete a range of different jobs. This saves you time and money as you don’t need to hire lots of equipment. This will also save you storage space as attachments are much easier to lock away.

Efficient on fuel

Depending on the type of excavator you choose, you will find that some are highly efficient on fuel. For example, due to their lightweight and more compact design, mini diggers are much better on fuel and are easier to refill.

Furthermore, they can be transported to your site on the back of a normal sized trailer which reduces the amount of hassle involved when finding a transportation method. In addition, recent innovations in the industry have led to auto-idling technology. This is when the operator leaves the machine to stand unused for long periods of time so the engine will automatically go into idle mode and therefore uses less fuel.

Improvements in hydraulic systems are also contributing to better fuel economy. By introducing load-sensing hydraulics, they have less demand on the engine and therefore consume less fuel. Moreover, manufacturers are incorporating more sophisticated hydraulic functions that allow the operator to adjust the hydraulic flow depending on the application. For example, hydraulic upgrades on Hyundai’s latest model includes selectable modes to optimise power and speed.

Intuitive control

These large pieces of equipment are very easy to use and handle. By selecting high quality excavators you can navigate the machinery and understand how it works relatively quickly. This saves time on site as your team is not wasting valuable hours trying to get comfortable with the excavator.

Furthermore, as a manager, it means you can spend less time training new staff and contractors, so more of your time is dedicated to getting the job done. Excavators are also surprisingly easy to manoeuvre despite their size. Especially if you’re working with a mini digger as they can be manoeuvred around large objects and vehicles with ease. They can also move through large crowds which is a particular advantage if you’re working in a busy location.

Suitable for a Variety of Projects

An excavator is one of the most valuable pieces of equipment on a construction site and helps countless projects work more efficiently.

Excavators can be used to dig holes, trenches, and foundations, as well as being able to move large pieces of soil and debris. As such this piece of machinery is used across various industries including forestry, mining, and road construction.

Moreover, it can also be used in material handling to move heavy objects from one location to another. Consequently, excavators are highly versatile and can be used to perform different functions on site. This improves site efficiency, as instead of hiring/ purchasing various pieces of equipment, each designed to fulfil a different job, an excavator is capable of doing it all from one machine. This not only reduces costs, but also the amount of labour needed as the same operator can use the excavator to complete different tasks.

Enhanced reliability

By selecting high quality excavators, it’s not only efficiency which is improved but also reliability. As we’ve discussed, excavators can be used to move large volumes of soil and debris to make a project landscape suitable to build on.

As a result, by using these machines on your site, you can be confident that the job will be completed to a high standard. Choosing equipment that you can rely on is vital for the success and reputation of your business. Without equipment, your team is unable to complete the job on time.

At YardLink, we are a plant and tool hire company that you can trust. We connect you with a network of local suppliers so that you can be sure you’re getting the very best service. And with next day delivery, there’s no waiting around waiting for equipment to arrive. This allows you to concentrate on completing the job without worrying about tools.

Site safety

One of the biggest priorities of any employer is to maintain site safety. If employees are injured then this has a huge negative effect on their health and well being, and they may be absent from work for a long period of time. In terms of productivity, this can be detrimental as having fewer workers on site can cause delays.

Especially on construction sites when there are lots of moving vehicles and potentially dangerous pieces of equipment, understanding how to correctly use excavators is essential.

The majority of accidents on a worksite are avoidable and risks can be mitigated by understanding health and safety practices. From ensuring drivers are correctly trained to instructing pedestrians when the excavator is in use, you can be confident that you are adhering to the necessary precautions.

Also, excavators can improve site safety as your team can operate machinery from a secure driving seat. Trained drivers are much safer when using an excavator rather than relying on men digging with shovels in a confined space.

Speed

On large scale projects, an excavator is a necessity. By being able to scoop up large quantities of earth, these machines make your project much quicker. Imagine the amount of manpower and hours you would need to dig up an entire site if all you had to rely on was a shovel.

Aside from digging, excavators are also used in demolition projects. They can clear large amounts of rock and debris with minimal hassle which leaves the site tidy and ready to be reused.

Speed is a huge priority for any construction manager as the quicker a project is finished, the quicker occupants can start using the space. This ensures customer satisfaction is maintained and increases the likelihood of clients recommending your services to other people. In turn, this helps to grow your business network and boosts your company’s reputation.

How YardLink Can Improve Site Efficiency

At YardLink, we supply a range of equipment depending on the needs of your project. From long reach excavators to mini diggers, we have the products you need to make your job quicker and easier.

We understand that site efficiency can be a huge challenge and we want to make sure that our products will not let you down. We work with a range of customers across a variety of industries and know what it takes to make your project a success.

There are many reasons to choose YardLink. From being up to 60% cheaper than traditional hire companies to being able to manage your booking online 24/7, we take the stress out of equipment hire. Also, with a range of products available, we save you time and effort from sifting through the internet as you can hire everything from one central location.

To find out more about why hiring equipment is the best option, and to hear from some of our satisfied customers, head over to our other blog post.

Excavator Hire to Improve Site Efficiency

Improving site efficiency is a priority for any construction company. The ultimate goal is to complete jobs to a high standard in the quickest time possible without compromising on quality or safety.

Excavators are just one way of ensuring this happens. These large pieces of machinery are vital in a number of projects and can lift large quantities of earth in a short period of time. They reduce the need for manual labour as the bucket and arm can easily collect and move heavy pieces of debris.

They are also very versatile and can be used to complete a number of different tasks, reducing the amount of vehicles needed on site. The less vehicles you have, the less storage you require which further saves time, money, and effort to source suitable facilities.

YardLink supplies a range of excavators to suit the requirements of your project. For more information about how our services could benefit your business, give us a call today. Alternatively, you can set up your own account and manage your bookings online, 24 hours a day, from any device.