5 things to look for in demolition cleanup excavators

1. Should I buy an inexpensive excavator since it’s just going to get beat up on the job?

No. That way of thinking can cost you money. You should look for demolition cleanup excavators with durable features that are outfitted to withstand the demands of demolition work. That may cost a little more upfront, but the savings on operating costs over time—not to mention safety and potentially higher resale values—are well worth the investment over cheaper options.

2. Do cleanup excavators come with guarding packages, or do I have to buy those separately?

You should consider excavators purpose-built for demolition cleanup. Volvo excavators, for example, come with factory-fitted guarding packages. Guarding can help prevent unnecessary wear and tear, including breakdowns. Whether it’s a broken hose that’s been caught on some rebar, a track that’s come disengaged because the excavator didn’t have full-length track guards or small damage to a door that then gets into your radiator, you should look for excavators with guarding that is designed for the intense, day-in, day-out operations that are typical in demolition work.

3. What should I look for in the cab?

Demolition is tough work, so investing in excavators that feature comfortable cabs with intuitive controls is important to keep operators alert and productive. Find brands that aim to minimize or even eliminate noise and vibration—that makes long days more tolerable. If you want to keep your crew out there working longer, don’t put them in commodity-type machines that rough them up while they’re on the job. A bit more investment upfront can put them in safer, more durable machines—and the efficiency and added productivity over time can pay for that added upfront investment.

4. Are there excavator controls that can make my operators more productive?

Yes. Choose machines that allow your operators to set the reaction speed of the hydraulics at different levels. Most skilled operators love the active controls because they are very snappy and responsive. However, some operators like a more calm and gentle fluid motion and opt for normal or soft controls. Personal preferences like these matter to operators, and it can be the difference between more productive days and days cut short.

5. What’s something I’m not thinking about that’s eating into my profitability?

Unnecessary idling. Demolition cleanup excavators idle more than the typical machine—and that eats into profitability by burning extra fuel and racking up needless machine hours. When you idle, you’re adding hours on the machine, you get to the next service interval faster, your lease runs out faster, your extended warranty ends earlier and so on. Again, if you invest in better-built machines, they’ll likely have features that help eliminate costly idle times.

Take your business to another level.

Cleanup excavators are the unsung heroes of demolition work, processing material on the ground while larger machines stand out by tearing down a structure. Not taking cleanup equipment for granted can be a real difference-maker for your business. And if you’re only doing demolition and don’t have processing and recycling material as part of your offerings, you’re missing a potential revenue stream. Let Volvo demolition experts help you optimize your operations. Contact us today.