Mini Excavator vs Skid-Steer Loader: What to Use for Your Next Home Renovation Project?
Guest post by Hannah Jones
The concept of home renovations or improvements can be fun and exciting but what happens behind the exterior is a different story.
It takes expertise and workforce when we talk about upgrading your place or perhaps a dream building project which entails repair, maintenance, and other general services.
Hence you need time, money, workers and the right equipment to use for your next home renovation project.
Finding the Right Equipment
Seeking help from construction experts and equipping yourself with the correct knowledge such as the importance of maintaining your heavy equipment including what, how and when to use them are essential parts of home improvement.
There are common types of equipment now easily made available to suit your needs.
Meanwhile, two of the most popular construction machines in the market are the mini excavator and skid-steer loader – both known to provide ease and comfort to what is likely one of the most tedious and challenging tasks for workers.
Factors and Varying Features to Consider
Depending on what type of project you have, it’s essential to know which one is a better fit and will cater to your needs the most.
Price or affordability is another crucial factor to consider and of course, quality.
Nonetheless, always remember to review, compare or keep a checklist of every pro, con, and function of the different types of equipment you intend to purchase.
For starters, you can take note of the following:
Mini Excavator
The mini excavator is either a tracked or wheeled machine which weighs up to 18,700 pounds.
It is heavy-duty equipment used in construction projects with useful results and various functions.
For small to medium-sized home projects, a mini excavator suits perfectly fine especially when the job entails landscaping.
The compact or mini excavator is also perfect for farming, digging up soil, dirt, rocks and more. It has two attachments used for digging and demolishing.
Pros or Advantages
- Easy to maneuver
- Lighter and compact
- Works on all types of terrain
- Suitable for small to medium spaces
- Affordability
Cons
- Shorter range applications
- Less durable than larger machine counterparts
Skid Steer Loader
A Skid Steer Loader or commonly known as ‘skid steer’ is very useful in home construction and is a perfect tool for heavy-lifting jobs.
Dubbed as ‘the jack of all trades,’ it promises to get the job done with its many helpful functions, varying sizes and applications.
It’s indeed a good return of your investment given the right size of the equipment for a particular task.
The skid steer also has a variety of attachments that make it more handy and efficient than its other machine counterparts.
You might want to consider the following before making your choice.
- Fork Attachments – for safe and light lifting tasks.
- Buckets – designed to handle harsh working conditions on the job site.
- Concrete Mixers – innovative mixers for easing mixing and pouring of concrete.
- Grapples – designed for maneuverability and grapple heavy loads or weights.
- Brooms – designed for cleaning debris off construction sites.
Pros or Advantages
- Light and compact
- Versatility
- Great manoeuvrability
- Cost-effective
- Great visibility
- A wide range of attachments
Cons
The disadvantages of skid steer loaders will vary depending on the size of such equipment.
A small-sized skid steer loader has fewer possibilities for accessories while the large-sized ones can be less economical.
Asking the Right Questions
Before even making your purchase, it’s essential to know what the right questions are to ask before getting the right equipment for the job. Some of the most relevant questions include the following.
- How long are you going to use or need the equipment?
- What are the maintenance and operating costs to consider?
- Will you be able to use this machine in your future projects?
- Will you be working in confined sites or not?
Conclusion
The mini excavator and skid steer loader are both heavy duty and efficient pieces of equipment suitable for home renovations or constructions.
While it’s a tough call to choose between the two, the best or the most useful tool still depends on what particular construction job or project you’ll need them for.
You can always refer online to check for trusted manufacturers offering top rated products for your reference.
Moreover, the job conditions and space requirements are two other important factors to remember before choosing the best machine for your project.