Home renovations can be big or small projects that will require a lot of digging of the ground, hauling stones, and moving construction materials. When deciding on the right heavy equipment to have, the choices will come down to two pieces of equipment: a mini-excavator and a skid steer loader. Yet which piece of equipment should you have for the job? Here are several factors to take into consideration when selecting which machine to use for home renovations.
What is the Project?
The project itself will define the right machine to use based on the tasks that will need to be finished. Will you be performing a large demolition project where you will have to tear out an old existing section of the house? In this case, a mini excavator can make quick work of the demolition and hauling work. On the other hand, you may need to perform landscaping renovations. In this case, a skid-steer loader with Fortis HD rubber tracks can travel lightly over the ground while causing minimal damage to the lawn.
How Much Space is Available?
Space can be limited to some house lots. If the renovations will be performed in very tight spaces that will not allow a machine to reverse itself and move forward when moving materials or when digging foundations, a mini excavator may work better in these circumstances. The mini excavator has a cab and boom that can swing 180-degrees as it can stay in one place while rotating the bucket or other attachments to the right locations.
Will Any Deep Digging or Drilling Be Involved?
Some home renovation projects will require trench digging or auger drilling. If your project requires breaking up large rocks or digging a trench around the house with an interior sump pan for a French drain, then both a mini-excavator and a skid steer loader will work.
Due to the many attachments that can be placed on both machines, they can use buckets and augers for the project. A mini excavator is perfect for breaking up large rocks, while a skid steer loader can haul boulders away. Just keep in mind the amount of space that is available for maneuverability and the depth of the trench that will need to be dug to select the best machine.
Is Heavy Lifting Involved?
To speed up home renovation projects, the use of mini excavators and skid steer loaders can be used to lift materials such as gravel, loose stone, sand, and even drywall sheets and lumber. Skid steers excel at lifting a wide range of heavy materials in confined spaces when the materials are going to be used on the ground level. If you will be lifting materials for the project, such as drywall sheets for second-floor additions or asphalt for roofing, the articulated boom on a mini excavator can lift materials using secured ropes.
Another consideration is how far the material must be moved and will it need to be moved to places that are out of reach. If you must move materials or tools to a worker on the other side of a trench, then a mini excavator would be the best choice to reach across to the other side.
What Are the Ground Conditions?
Not every home renovation will be performed in the summer when the weather is dry and sunny. For areas that are dealing with wet, muddy, snowy, and even sandy conditions, you have to consider the moveability of the machine and how it can handle rolling over these adverse surfaces. Both machines can handle rocky and uneven terrain with wheels. Yet snowy, muddy, and sandy conditions require more traction to grip and glide over the surface.
Picking the Best heavy Equipment for Your Project
It can be a tough choice to pick between a skid steer loader and a mini excavator when doing a home renovation. Both types of equipment can do many similar tasks due to the attachments that are available. The one thing to keep in mind is that a skid steer loader is ideal when you have to do work close to the ground and when doing heavy hauling. A mini excavator excels in its work when you need to reach high places or need to move the machine around in tight areas.