Excavators in Nigeria - types, uses and how to rent one

The excavator is a large machine mainly used for heavy-duty jobs such as mining, demolishing, trenching, etc.

Consider this article a comprehensive guide that explains excavators, their types, their working principles, and other helpful information on the subject.

Lets get to it.

1. Essential excavator parts and attachments

Here is the structural composition of a typical excavator. 

• Bucket
• Arm
• Hydraulic cylinder
• Track frame/wheels
• Engine
• Boom
• Cab2. How many types of excavators are there?

There are many types of excavators, and they come in various sizes, designs, and configurations. Here are some of the common and available types of excavators in Nigeria.

2.1 Crawler Excavators

Crawler excavators run on tracks instead of wheels. They are best for heavy-duty digging and demolition work on construction sites or during mining operations. They provide excellent stability and balance and can quickly scale through hilly and uneven terrain. However, crawler excavators are slower than most excavators because they run on tracks.

2.2 Wheeled Excavators

A wheeled excavator is similar in size and shape to a crawler. The significant difference between them is that wheeled excavators run on wheels while crawlers run on tracks. Wheeled excavators are commonly used for roadwork and urban excavations because they are less stable than crawlers but are faster and easier to handle.

2.3 Mini Excavators

Another name for mini excavators is compact excavators. They are the smallest size of excavators and ideal for smaller spaces and mini construction projects in narrow sites and tight spaces. Mini excavators are lightweight and suitable for easy mobility. However, because of their size constraint, they are only capable of handling minimal loads.

2.4 Suction Excavators

A suction excavator is ideal for underground projects and delicate digging projects. They are also called vacuum excavators because they have a high-pressure vacuum, a suction pipe, and water jets that first water the area to soften the ground.

2.5 Long reach excavators

Long-reach excavators are designed explicitly with more extended arm and boom sections to reach deep and high areas. The arm of a long-reach excavator can easily extend up to 100 feet horizontally. This type is the best choice for any structural demolishing and breaking down.

Avoid renting a long-reach excavator when working on a narrow site or tight spaces.

3. Uses of Excavators

Every type of Excavator is uniquely designed to serve a distinct purpose. Therefore, excavators can be used for numerous applications, including:

3.1 Digging/earthmoving

Based on the shape of the standard excavators, the bucket head has made many assume that excavators are only required for digging. However, this was the primary function before other types of excavators surfaced. You can use an excavator to dig foundations or lift soil seamlessly.

3.2 Demolishing

An excavator is a core piece of equipment for effectively demolishing structures. It is easy to operate and ensures efficient demolition in cases where demolition should have taken more time.

3.3 Landscaping

Some excavators are designed for easy landscaping. One such excavator is the mini excavator, which can be used to shape the terrain and the general landscape of a place.//

3.4 Mining operations

Excavators are equally necessary during mining operations because they aid with soil removal, extraction, and any other activity required at the mining site.

4. How to rent an excavator in Nigeria

Do you have a major project coming up soon that requires an excavator but is unable to figure out how to get one? Heres what you should pay attention to.

4.1 Identify your why

Why do you need an excavator? What does your current project require? Whats the space and site condition of your site? Answer these questions as the first step in renting an excavator in Nigeria.

4.2 Do your research

Take your time to look for credible and excellent equipment rental companies in your region. Pay attention to their customer reviews, rent rates, and machinery quality. At Daibau.ng, we are your sure bet for equipment rentals amidst many other services. Contact us to learn more about heavy equipment rentals anywhere in Nigeria.

4.3 Read and understand the rental terms and conditions

When renting any equipment, take the extra time to review the rental agreement carefully, including the rental payment terms, duration, insurance, and license. Dont be afraid of asking more questions till you are clarified.

4.4 Operation expertise

Confirm if your rent covers the cost of an operator. There are cases when you will have to pay extra, and there are other cases where the cost of operation is included in the total rent package. Another thing to confirm is the excavators transportation to the site. You must liaise with the rental company about the transportation to and from your site.

5. Final words

An excavator is a heavy machinery that performs multiple operations effectively. There are quite a number of credible excavator suppliers in Nigeria. At Daibau.ng we are more than willing to connect you to the top suppliers for easy procurement and rent of any rental equipment.