United Rentals

Dump trucks shearing

Excavators are heavy-duty diggers. Typically, the deeper the hole, the bigger the machine required. They can drill, break rocks, create trenches or dig large holes for foundations. A compact excavator is ideal for heavy digging in a tight space. Loaders are perfect for scooping up loose material and depositing it elsewhere. They move well in soft soil but cannot dig very deeply. Bulldozers' giant blade attachments can push large quantities of dirt, debris, shrubs or building remains to where you want them. A bulldozer can also be outfitted with a rear "ripper" that can tear through rock and soil.

Ensuring you have the right size bucket for your project is important for proper production and reducing wear and tear on the equipment. There are several factors to consider and calculations to perform to determine the correct bucket. Generally, you'll use OEM specifications, including the maximum lift capacity, bucket weight and bucket capacity. Find more information and how to calculate whether the capacity of your bucket will work in the United Rentals article, “How to Choose the Right Bucket for Your Excavator or Wheel Loader.”

The size of skid steer depends on the job you wish to perform. The smallest skid steers typically have a rated operating capacity (ROC) of about 700 pounds and an overall weight of about 3,000 pounds. This smaller size is ideal for a homeowner project as it can usually fit through a walkthrough backyard gate. A very large skid steer can have an ROC in the 3,000-plus-pound range for someone who doesn’t have room for a full-size backhoe or wheel loader. Read more about the seven factors to consider when renting a skid steer from United Rentals.