Whether you’re building a road, an office building, or a new home, having the right excavation equipment is essential for getting the job done quickly and safely. While all excavators are designed to move large amounts of soil, manufacturers offer a variety of designs, each suited to a different type of project. Understanding the most popular options before scheduling a heavy equipment rental will ensure you get the right excavator for the job.

3 Most Common Types of Excavators

1. Crawler Excavators

Instead of wheels, crawler excavators run on parallel tracks that conform to the shape of the ground. This makes them ideal for large-scale excavation projects, moving extremely heavy loads, and working on hilly terrain. Crawler excavators come in a variety of sizes, with options suited for everything from mining operations to backyard landscaping.

2. Backhoes

Backhoes feature a long boom arm and a bucket, usually mounted on the back of a tractor or other front-loader. Their small size relative to most excavators makes backhoes the best choice for mid-sized construction jobs, landscaping, or road building. Most heavy equipment rental dealers also feature a wider range of attachments for backhoes, giving them increased versatility.

3. Bulldozers

Unlike the other two, bulldozers don’t physically pick up and move the soil. Instead, they use a large, tractor-mounted blade to scrape the ground to a unified depth and push away the excess earth. Bulldozers are often used to move construction debris and level the site after excavation.

No matter what project you’re planning, the excavation specialists at MK Enterprises in Kodiak, AK, offers the heavy equipment rentals you need. They proudly serve developers and homeowners throughout the area, providing a wide range of equipment, as well as full excavation services. Visit their website for an overview of their heavy equipment rental or call (907) 486-5537 to discuss your options and request a quote.