Things To Consider With Large Excavator Delivery
Hiring a large excavator is a great way to be able to move huge amounts of earth and materials around with very little effort. There is no wonder why these machines are on the top of the list when it comes to construction, demolition, lifting and groundworks projects. Getting hold of such type of excavator shouldn’t cause you too many issues. However, there are a few things that should be considered when preparing for large excavator delivery.
WHC Hire has been delivering large excavators across the UK for over 25 years. With this experience, we have seen a lot of mistakes being made when it comes to having a large excavator transported. To avoid any unwanted mishaps with the delivery of any type of large machinery, we have put together this resource to help. Let’s have a closer look at what considerations are worth making.
When Do You Need the Equipment?
If you are planning to hire a large excavator, you should by now have a good idea of when you need the machinery for. If not, this is a very essential factor when it comes to ensuring your equipment turns up. Unlike small machinery, delivering large equipment, in this instance, excavators, requires a level of detailed planning to get right. Large abnormal loads can be subject to a few restrictions, which is worth bearing in mind.
Road Restrictions
Some roads have weight, height, or even width restrictions. Only just one of these factors can directly affect machinery from being delivered. Sourcing the best route takes planning to ensure the equipment can arrive as requested.
Abnormal Loads
Abnormal loads refer to a gross transport weight of more than 26T. Machinery of this size requires a movement notice to be completed and submitted to National Highways. Application forms require time to submit, along with notifying both police and bridge authorities. Note that loads up to 80,000kg require 2 days’ notice before moving can take place.
Knowing when you need a large excavator is essential to stage one of successful delivery. It is always best practice to book your equipment as far in advance so your plant hire supplier can arrange delivery for you. It is not unheard of that clients will book equipment up to 6 months in advance.
Now we’ve had a look at arranging the equipment. Let’s have a closer look at another consideration you will need to look closer at.
Delivery Vehicle Access Points
Now you have organised your large excavator to arrive when you want it to. The next thing you need to ensure is that it can be delivered to the location you need it. Not all access points are suitable for 26T beavertail trucks or articulated low loaders. Therefore, you need to bear this in mind when planning your delivery with your plant hire supplier. Both types of vehicles used to transport large excavators require a large amount of space to manoeuvre to unload the machinery.
Options For Delivery With Bad Access Points
If your project has restricted access, then it is imperative that you choose the best delivery option to ensure safe delivery. Due to the sheer size of some of the large excavators available to hire, generally, you are going to need a large offloading space. If access is a big concern, there are alternative options that you can pursue. The last thing you want is a machine you cannot use.
Roadside Delivery
If there are any issues with delivery, sometimes it is possible to drop a large excavator on the roadside for clients to navigate to their working sites. However, this is only the case if the large excavator is fitted with rubber pads or tracks. Machines like this are generally fitted with steel tracks as standard.
Steel tracks can become problematic when delivering excavators to roadsides. With their combined weight and the friction of the steel tracks rotating, the excavator will cause damage to the ground surface. The addition of rubber pads or tracks can help avoid this. Therefore, it is worth noting that if you may need to offload your excavator on the road. You will want your supplier to install rubber pads onto the machine for you. For more information on rubber pads for steel-tracked excavators, click here.
Creating A Designated Drop Zone
Another alternative method to aid in large excavator delivery is to create a designed drop zone. On large building sites, this will be located within your risk assessments and method statements for more than just excavator deliveries. Creating a designated drop zone allows machinery dropped and collected safely whenever required.
This may require initial work to take place prior to doing so. It is not uncommon for a small digger to be used to create the space for the delivery of a larger one. Depending on the circumstances and budget, this could be a suitable option for some.
Either one of these options will enable you to have a large excavator safely unloaded at your site. Remember, doing preparations like these will ultimately save you time and money in the scheme of your project. In addition, it will save you to pay repair costs for operating unsuitable machinery on roadsides or delicate surfaces.
Now that we have had a look at the best way to pinpoint your delivery with any large excavator supplier.
Accurate Delivery
As we have already discussed in this resource, planning the delivery of a large excavator is vitally important. So too is locating the place of the delivery. Getting the exact location of where you want to have your equipment delivered is highly beneficial to any delivery team. Postcodes and satellite navigations can only get you so far.
It is not unusual for large excavators to be delivered to the middle of a field or building site. Places like this can be difficult to instruct delivery drivers to, which in turn, can lead to delays in starting. One of the most productive ways that WHC Hire has found when delivering all sizes of excavators is through the application ‘What3Words’.
What 3 Words
Sometimes street names are not enough, as well as entrances to sites can be difficult to find. This is where a program called what3words can help. This application has divided the entire earth into 3m squares all with their own specific names. This means if you need to accurately pinpoint where you want your machinery delivered you can do. Literally!
This currently is the most accurate way we have found to ensure that machinery is delivered to exactly to correct location.
Handover Tutorials
The final thing to consider is whether to take the offer of a handover tutorial. Handover tutorials are given by delivery drivers to help you familiarize yourself with the machine. You will be surprised how many times these are turned down. The truth is, if you are not familiar with the design and model of an excavator, then you could be wasting time. No doubt more experienced excavator drivers will be able to navigate their way around any type of machine. Nevertheless, asking to be shown how to do a particular task could save you time overall.
Tutorials Worth Noting On Excavators
- How to operate keycodes (How to start)
- Breaker venting and connection sequence
- Quick hitch operation (Changing buckets)
- On-board computer operation
Accessing Help
So here is the scenario… you have hired a large excavator and now you are stuck operating one of the features on it? What’s your next move? Well, most clients’ first port of call is to get in touch with the supplier who then can guide them through it all. Depending on the complexity of the task and the machine, this can be very time-consuming. Alternatively, your supplier may offer you access to an online resource to help. (Supplier dependant) For an example of this check out WHC Hire’s free excavator tutorial section.
Here is an example of a short informative tutorial video:
Conclusion Of Things To Consider When Preparing For A Large Excavator Delivery
As we have highlighted in this resource, the correct preparation for the delivery of a large excavator is essential. The last thing any client needs is delays in machinery arriving or how to operate it. It is vitally important to work with a supplier that you can trust to deliver throughout the entire hire. Let’s face it, large excavator hire is far more cost-effective than purchasing. Nevertheless, it is still costly. Efficiency is key to maximizing profits and productivity.
For over 25 years, WHC Hire has been providing a world-class large excavator hire for clients around the UK. With excavators ranging from 9T-28T our highly efficient fleet is backed by an experienced team that can support you throughout your project. WHC also offers free online excavator step-by-step guides that can be accessed remotely during your hire. If you are looking for a large excavator supplier with market-leading equipment and support, get in touch on 01684377977. Alternatively, check out our online catalogue on machines here.