Answering your Questions about Diggers
Diggers are powerful machines with a variety of uses, yet they often leave us with questions. Whether you're an industry pro or a curious beginner, this blog post is here to explain the queries around diggers. We'll provide straightforward answers to your most common questions, from 'Can they operate in the rain?' to 'What licences do you need?'. Let's dive in!
Are diggers and excavators the same?
If you have little knowledge about diggers and excavators, the question of 'What is the difference between a digger and an excavator?' is probably something that you're wondering. The simple answer is... diggers and excavators are the same. 'digger' is the nickname or colloquial name for an excavator and is the most common name for an excavator in the UK. The term excavator is most commonly used in the USA but is also widely used across the UK.
The construction and groundworks industries are so varied that it's common for the same equipment to have multiple names. For example the standard grading bucket is also referred to as a ditching bucket, dyking bucket and even a general purpose bucket, so learning all the terms can take some getting used to. In some regions, the term 'digger' refers to the smaller or compact version of a standard excavator, such as a micro digger or mini digger, which are great for operating in small or tight spaces. But, the term 'digger' can actually be used more widely to describe any size of excavator.
Can anybody hire a digger?
The question 'Can anybody hire a digger?' is usually paired with 'Can anybody drive a digger?' and the answer is typically, yes. When it comes to hiring and operating a digger, the good news is that it's more accessible than you might think. Generally, anyone can hire a digger, whether you're a seasoned professional, a small business owner, or even a homeowner with a specific project in mind. While operating a digger does require skill and knowledge, many plant hire companies will hire out a digger to customers with a wide range of skills, whether that be first time operating or years of experience.
There are some essential considerations to keep in mind. You may need to meet certain age requirements to hire a digger, similarly to when hiring a car. For some plant hire companies this will be standard driving age. If you have no experience operating a digger, we would recommend doing prior research on how to operate a digger as it's not as straightforward as you may expect. Most plant hire companies will provide a basic operations manual with the digger which is recommended to be read before use. It's essential to be responsible and well-prepared before taking the reins of one of these powerful machines.
Do you need a licence to drive a mini digger?
There are a few questions that are commonly asked around mini digger operations and licences, including 'Do you need a driving licence to hire a digger?' and 'Do you need an operator's licence for a mini digger? but the answer can vary.
If you're looking to hire a digger for private use, for example a home diy project, you do not need a licence to operate a digger; unless you are planning to drive on a public road. In this circumstance you will require a standard UK driving licence. However, if you are planning to use a digger for business or commercial use, to operate on a building site for example, you may require an NPORS or CSC card. Although not a legal requirement to possess one of these cards, most employers, including all major contractors, will expect you to obtain one before you are able to operate on one of their sites.
Can you drive a digger on a road?
It is legal to drive a digger on a public road if you hold a valid UK driving licence. Diggers are often allowed on roads when they need to be transported between construction sites, however, you must display proper warning signage and lighting to ensure the safety of both the equipment and other road users. Local laws and regulations can vary, so it's crucial to consult with the appropriate authorities and follow the specific guidelines in your area when considering driving a digger on a road.
One thing to consider is that larger diggers with steel tracks can cause damage to the road surface, due to the weight and power of the machine and the rigidity of the tracks. Specific diggers have been developed with wheels instead of tracks to be used on public roads to avoid causing damage, these are nicknamed 'rubber ducks' and can often be rented from a plant hire company too. So, if you know frequent tracking across a concrete or tarmac road is part of your project then a rubber duck may be the digger you want to consider.
Can you excavate in the rain?
Using a digger to excavate in the rain is slightly more complicated than you first expect. As you can imagine, heavy rainfall will make working conditions much more dangerous, especially when excavating large areas as there is a potential for the areas to collapse. Heavy downpours can also cause extremely slippery and boggy terrain, which can be dangerous for the operator and any groundsman. If excavating in the rain is essential to keep your project on track, there are a few things you should bear in mind while operating.
- Check the condition of excavating areas. To ensure the safety of workers, the machine should run on a low speed and avoid approaching any trench edges as these could collapse under the weight of the machine. Avoid tracking over uneven surfaces if boggy, as this could cause the machine to become stuck or topple over. Also, make sure to consider the weight of the material you're trying to excavate, wet mud will weigh more than dry mud so bear this in mind.
- Be aware of high winds. Rain often comes with wind, which can make operating heavy machinery like diggers extremely dangerous. Lighter and taller machines have a higher chance of being affected by wind. If you feel you are battling against the wind while operating, you're better off parking up the digger in a safe location and taking cover until the wind dies down.
- Install anti-skid chains. For wheeled excavators, like rubber ducks, anti-skid chains are recommended to be fitted to avoid slipping on wet surfaces. These chains increase grip and improve traction on the slippery surface.
Can a Micro Digger fit through a door?
The dimensions of a micro digger will vary between machine makes and models, as will the dimensions of your door, which makes it difficult to provide you with a definite answer. However, you'll be happy to know that it is possible for specific micro diggers to fit through a standard width door.
On average, the width of an internal door is 30" or 762mm. There are currently excavators on the market, such as the Bobcat E08 at 710mm wide and JCB 8008 at 700mm wide, that have a narrow enough track width to fit through an internal door. Although, we would always recommend to check the height and depth dimensions of your excavator to ensure that the door is tall enough with enough turning space to track around when through the doorway.
Are excavator buckets universal?
Excavator buckets are not truly universal, but they are designed to be compatible with a wide range of diggers. The compatibility of a digger bucket with a particular machine depends on several factors, including the dimensions of the bucket pins and if a coupler is being used.
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It's common for the pin dimensions of digger makes and models to cross over, meaning that one bucket or attachment can be fitted to multiple machines. For example the JCB 801 and Kubota KX36 have a pin diameter of 25mm, dipper gap of 95mm and pin centres of 90mm, which means they can pick up the same attachments. When diggers are fitted with a hydraulic coupler, they are able to pick up a variety of pin dimensions due to the movement of the hydraulic latch. The coupler is able to pick up the slack in the pins, securing the attachment in place with no problems. |
So there you have it, the most common questions asked about mini diggers answered. Remember that safety should always be a top priority when operating a mini digger, and proper training is also recommended for site safety and efficiency. Why not check out some more of our useful content below.
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