Types of Digger Machines for Ground Clearing and Landscaping Projects
Whether you’re working in road projects, landscaping, or ground clearing; a digger machine is a must to have on your job site. Excavators are popular earth-moving machines but there are many other machines that deal with digging or earthworks and also material handling, demolition, and construction. Most of these machines are made to handle multiple functions and are compatible with different attachments. Such versatility makes these machines indispensable on job sites.
Some common types of digger machines you can hire for ground clearing and landscaping:
Excavators
Featuring a long bucket arm, excavators are common equipment for large construction. A typical excavator is driven by tracks but wheel-mounted excavators are also available. Their pivoting cab can rotate a full 360 degrees to allow the operator to have good visibility and coverage of the site. One of the main reasons for the popularity of excavators is that they can be fitted with specialized attachments. You can use excavators for a range of functions like excavating trenches, making holes for trees, demolition, rough grading, heavy lifting, and ground clearing. These machines can be purchased as an excavator hire for part time usage or purchased directly if the equipment is required on a full time basis.
Backhoe Loaders
Featuring an adjustable shovel in front and a small bucket in the back for digging, this machine is best for medium to small construction jobs, ground clearing, and landscaping projects. Their body shape is similar to a farm tractor and is powerful enough to move dirt, backfill excavations, dig holes and trenches, place pipe, and other tasks. Backhoes are wheel-mounted and can be used without much damage to the surrounding area. Attachment can be used on a backhoe, so you can attach a trencher instead of the bucket to dig trenches of different widths.
Bulldozers
Bulldozers are a powerful motorized machine that is mounted on tracks. These are one of the most powerful digging or ground clearing machines. Featuring a wide and flat front blade that can be operated with two hydraulic pistons, this machine is the most reliable heavy equipment used in construction. The front blade moves at different angles to push earth or dirt for rough and fine grading. It can also push snow, rubble, or rock during construction work. Due to the heavyweight of a bulldozer, it can crush large boulders. For specific jobs, a hook-like device can be attached at the rear to loosen dense materials.
Skid-Steer Loaders
The word skid-steer is given to this machine because of the enhanced mobility it offers. The left and right end wheels can move independently and so the operator can use different speeds to create a skidding action to rotate this machine. Skid-steer loaders are available in a compact size and are highly useful for small-scale applications and in urban environments. They can work without damaging the landscape or the surrounding structures. You can use a variety of attachments with this machine to perform digging, compacting, log grappling, snow blowing, and jack-hammering.
Graders
This is the best fine grading heavy equipment available. A typical grader has a long adjustable blade that can be tilted to meet specific angles and to create a flat surface. They are used for a fine grade of dirt or gravel in road works and can be used for road base courses and placing asphalt.