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UNEARTHED E EXCAVATORA MysteriesJapan, 1930 — a mysterious new machine rolled out of Kobelco Construction Mfg. Co.’s manufacturing plant. Churning steel trackscarried the 50K electric mining shovel, casting a shadow that would be similar to future mechanical diggers. Three decades later,hydraulic excavators populated jobsites, turning monumental excavating projects into afternoon projects.While excavators — with more than 15 manufacturers in the North American market alone — are a common sight on nearly anyjobsite, developing technologies have altered the landscape of excavator offerings. New systems such as telemetrics and automaticgrading, improved hydraulics, attachments and beyond led to new, efficient excavator operations. Utility Contractor investigated and —thanks to an anonymous tip and the brightest minds in excavator manufacturing — uncovered productive excavator solutions.18 Utility Contractor | January 2009
DIGGING G I G UP THE FACTSFinding the Evidence for Renting ExcavatorsBy Roger JohnsonOne ofthetoughest questions a contractor has to ask iswhether h to buy or rent equipment. But the answer is nomystery. y.There are five very compelling reasons the excava-tor rental market is enjoying increased growth, and they allbenefit the contractor who is renting and using the equipment.There e are no capital or maintenance costs involved.The transaction is 100 percent deductible. There are nodown-time expenditures. Today’s economic climate makeslong-term rental usage both possible and desirable, andsome companies actually offer rent-to-own programs.Today’s high-quality compact excavators rated less than16,000 lbs operating weight are reliable and well suitedfor a wide range of applications. This versatility makesthem popular pieces of equipment for contractors andutility professionals alike. And because of their smallersize, they are less intimidating to use confidently and effectively.Still, there are several logical steps any potentialexcavator renter must undertake to make this project assafe and productive as possible.First, determine if the unit you’re considering can physicallyaccess the intended worksite. Is there a gate to passthrough? Are there steep or uneven work surfaces? Howwide is the unit you’ll be renting? How heavy is it? Howdeep must you dig? How deep can you dig? Are there undergroundpower or gas lines nearby? (Call your local One-Callnumber or the Common Ground Alliance phone number(811) that covers all states.) How far will the bucket reach?How high must you reach todump the bucket? Will you beworking close to a wall or ina confined area? To do a professionaljob use professionaltechniques like taking notesand measurements and followingthat guidance to the letter.for the job. Remember, you’ll be exposed to as much liabilitytransporting the excavator on public roads as youwill be simply using it on the jobsite. Safety first, so seatbelts should be utilized even during the loading and unloadingprocess.For a mini excavator, you’ll need a tow vehicle with at leasta 13,000-lb gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) — the totalnumber of pounds the vehicle can haul — and a 12,000-lb GVWR-rated trailer. That should cover mini excavatorsthat fall within the 3- to 4-ton class excavators — the mostpopular size for excavator rentals.Some centers even provide a pickup and delivery service.If you intend to transport the machine yourself, find a sourcewith business hours that are compatible with your particularschedule. After all, no one wants to be responsible for suchan expensive machine sitting in an open field over the weekendwith the meter running. It’s also wise to have access toa service department and their technicians during the job inthe event of unforeseeable complications.Learn from the ExpertsToday’s better service centers offer instruction in basicequipment operation that also includes the use of any requiredattachments. Fortunately, most of today’s compact excavatorsoffer simple controls and smooth hydraulic boom swing anddigging motions, as opposed to the machines of the past.Safe equipment operation is the first priority, so have yourTowing the LoadTransporting the machineto and from the jobsite isalso a critical consideration.Most rental businesses, accordingto Nick Grittani,Regional Sales Manager forYanmar Construction Equipment,require that a renterhave a legal trailer that is theright size for the excavator beingconsidered. Many rentalcenters will also have trailersavailable for rental. Naturally,the tow vehicle mustalso be legal, safe and rightSafe equipment operation is the first priority, so have your rental center experts guide youthrough correct control procedures on their property.January 2009 | Utility Contractor 19
Page 4: JANUARY 2009 CONTENTSJANUARY 2009 |
Page 8 and 9: GROUNDBREAKING NEWSSaying Goodbye t
Page 10 and 11: GROUNDBREAKING NEWSGoing RetroVolvo
Page 12 and 13: GROUNDBREAKING NEWSFulfilling Your
Page 14 and 15: THE RENTAL YARDHarness the PowerWha
Page 16 and 17: THE RENTAL YARDamount of applicatio
Page 20 and 21: ental center experts guide you thro
Page 22 and 23: Changing AttachmentsAttachment offe
Page 24 and 25: BLADES OF STEELE Mike Boyle, John D
Page 26 and 27: CSE: Crime SceneEquipmentThwarting
Page 28 and 29: will be back to the jobsite until M
Page 30 and 31: another day, then the compressors w
Page 33: January 2009 | Utility Contractor 3
Page 36 and 37: 36 Utility Contractor | January 200
Page 39 and 40: January 2009 | Utility Contractor 3
Page 41 and 42: INSIDE WASHINGTON“Although it is
Page 43 and 44: SAFETY MANAGEMENTand your field per
Page 46 and 47: CA NEWSew NUCA Chapter Forming in C
Page 48 and 49: CA NEWSint Contractor/Engineer Meet
Page 50: CA NEWSEW MEMBERSNTRACTORSing Const
Page 53 and 54: THE PIPELINEInterested in seeing YO
Page 55: CODE FINDER for Building and Constr

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