There are a number of projects which require the use of excavators and dumpers. Clearing a plot of vegetation, digging the foundations for a house or removing rubble and soil after breaking up your driveway for renovation are some examples that come to mind. 

In this blog post we’ll be covering a series of excavators, dumpers and excavator attachments that are useful for a number of tasks. We’ll also be covering the differences between wheeled and tracked vehicles, as well as providing some useful insights aimed at helping you choose the right machine for your project. 

At Drogheda Hire and Sales we stock an extensive range of equipment: from 34/ Tonne micro excavators to 21 Tonne machines, as well as attachments and dumpers. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, so feel free to get in touch.

Excavators: when are they used?

Excavators are used primarily for digging, although with the right attachment they are suitable for a great variety of jobs including breaking hard surfaces, compacting, precision drilling, driving fence posts, logging and many other functions.
They can be tracked or wheeled and they come in a wide range of sizes. At Drogheda Hire and Sales we stock compact excavators, such as the 860mm-wide KUBOTA K008-3, weighing less than a tonne, through to large machines such as the 21 tonne HITACHI ZX210LC-6.

Choosing the right excavator for your job

Some projects that require excavators include clearing plots, digging pits or foundations and clearing out rubble and dirt. Different bucket types are suited to different functions, with small, narrow buckets providing precision and depth, and wider buckets being suited to handling large volumes of loose material (gravel, soil or debris).

A smaller machine and small bucket size would, therefore, be a practical choice for digging trenches. Large excavators provide greater reach, working over a wider area without the need for repositioning. A large excavator with a narrower bucket will allow you to dig a deep pit, whereas a larger bucket will allow this machine to clear large volumes of dirt or gravel.

As well as for digging, excavators are great for clearing out rubble and soil, and loading it into a skip. However, for this last example, there are other machines that might be more practical such as skid steers and skip loading dumpers. This leads us to the next section.

What are dumpers and when might you need one?

Dumpers are used to move material from one location to another. They are often loaded by an excavator and used to transport materials between a job site and a skip.
Like excavators, they come in a diversity of sizes and can be tracked or wheeled. At Drogheda Hire and Sales we stock both tracked and wheeled dumpers. We offer machines with weights ranging from 1 tonne to 10 tonnes, as well as electric barrows.

For digging out a pool or clearing a plot a THWAITES I10702 will add efficiency to the job. This 10 tonne dumper is able to transport large loads, and its high lift action allows it to deposit waste directly into a skip.

For carrying out a smaller project, such as renovating a driveway or patio, a smaller skip loading dumper like the 1 tonne TEREX HD1000 is preferable. For work on muddy soil however, you might opt for a tracked dumper like the SLANETRAC HT 690. This small machine, weighing only 1 tonne, has a high-lift action and is small enough to be used in tighter spaces. 

It is with noting that not all dumpers have the high-lift action that suits them to loading skips, so it is worth discussing this point with your hirer when choosing the machines for your project.

Wheeled vs Tracked: which dumper is right for my project?

The decision between wheeled and tracked excavators and dumpers relies on the nature of the terrain and the specific requirements of the job. 

Wheeled vehicles offer several advantages, including:

- They can be driven on paved surfaces without causing damage, eliminating the need for transport to the job site. 
- They are generally faster than tracked vehicles.
- They are more dynamic than tracked vehicles.

While they can normally be used on rough terrain without a problem, caution should be exerted if working in mud or steep slopes. 

Tracked excavators and dumpers are suited to different projects:

- They are designed for uneven, muddy or rough terrain. 
- Their lower centre of gravity and superior weight distribution provide more stability.

However, their reliance on tracks means they must be transported to the desired location so as not to cause damage to paved surfaces.

Consider excavator attachments to enhance efficiency on your projects

Attachments provide a great means to truly get the most from excavator hire, as they can harness the power of an excavator for use on specific functions such as compacting, breaking or boring holes.
There are a large number of attachments for excavators that we offer at Drogheda Hire and Sales. Our range includes rake attachments, breaker attachments which can be used to break up a driveway or break up rock, hole borer attachments and many others. Our range includes:

• Hydraulic screening bucket: This attachment is ideal for separating coarse from fine material. There are scenarios in which you may wish to keep coarse material for use as an aggregate or for a gravel driveway or path. Alternatively, you may want to keep the fine dirt for a gardening project and dispose of the coarse material.

• Tree shear: This shear from TMK is ideal for cutting down trees from the base. Once the tree is cut, the shear will hold it in place so that it can be moved using the excavator arm to the desired location. Unlike chainsaws or shredder attachments it will not produce flying debris. Furthermore, it does not generate a lot of noise.

• Ripper tooth: This attachment will tear through hard or frozen ground as well as concrete. It can be used to break up a concrete surface or to dig up tree stumps.

In conclusion, excavators and dumpers are incredibly versatile and, with a little knowledge and the right attachments, they can be an efficient machine used for tackling numerous tasks on your projects.

Choose Drogheda Hire and Sales for excavator, dumper and attachment hire

At Drogheda Hire and Sales, we stock an impressive range of excavators with weights ranging from 3/4 tonne to 21 tonnes, tracked and wheeled dumpers with weights ranging from 1 tonne to 21 tonnes and excavator attachments for a diversity of tasks. If you would like to speak to us about hiring or buying any of our equipment for your project, don't hesitate to get in touch; we'll be more than happy to assist you.

Call us on 041 9841419 for our Drogheda depot or on 01 9108757 for our Dublin depot
Use our contact form, here. 
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