Is It Time To Replace Your Small Trencher With A Mini-Excavator?
Digging is a routine part of life for many contractors, whether running buried electrical conduits, underwater water lines, or sub-grade fencing. While many tools can get this job done, from heavy industrial equipment to simple hand shovels, the right option for any given job usually comes down to a combination of the cost, time, and effort required.
Trenchers often fill a happy middle ground, requiring relatively low upfront capital investment and minimal operator skill. However, these handy machines aren't right for every job, and operator-propelled trenchers may not keep up as your business grows. If your trencher is starting to seem a little long in the tooth, here are three reasons it may be time to upgrade to a mini excavator.
1. You're Digging More Than Trenches
Trenchers are purpose-built tools, and small, operator-propelled trenchers excel at one job: digging relatively shallow trenches. This limitation can be frustrating if you frequently need to perform other types of excavation and routinely find yourself renting equipment for these purposes. Even if your trencher is suitable for many day-to-day tasks, bringing multiple tools for small jobs can be frustrating.
A mini-excavator is small enough to operate in many places where you may use an operator-propelled trencher while offering far more versatility. Since excavators don't require the same large boom as a trencher, you can get more depth from similarly sized equipment. As a result, a mini-excavator will likely provide better-trenching performance in addition to more versatility.
2. You're Trenching in Difficult Areas
Another common issue with small trenchers is that they can struggle in difficult or rocky terrain. This limitation may not be an issue on new building sites, but it's more of a problem if you typically run buried infrastructure in rural areas. Trenching through forests or on unmaintained properties can be hard on small trenchers, frequently leading to increased maintenance costs and downtime.
A mini-excavator is small enough to enter these restricted, rural areas while offering the power necessary to dig into much harsher terrain. If you're frequently dealing with worn-out sprockets and broken teeth on your trencher due to your operating conditions, it may be time to upgrade to a more versatile and rugged mini-excavator.
3. You Need Versatility
Most importantly, mini-excavators can do more than excavate. With the right attachments, you can use these machines to dig, trench, demolish, move material, or even demolish buildings. If your work requires frequently taking on many different tasks, a mini-excavator may be able to replace a wide range of tools and machines while minimizing your need for future equipment rentals.
Although a mini-excavator is a substantial investment, it's one worth considering if you're finding that smaller trenchers no longer suit your business needs.
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