FAQs About Excavators
Excavators — also called trackhoes — are one of the largest pieces of equipment used in construction. Excavators can do heavy-duty clearing, loading, digging and trenching. This large excavation equipment is ideal for large-scale residential and commercial construction, road improvement and building, mining and more. With 360-degree swing rotation, our durable track hoe rentals are ideal for muddy terrain and can handle your site’s needs efficiently. Whether you’re renting a small track hoe for a landscaping project or operating a 40,000-pound machine on a jobsite, you may need a refresher on how to operate an excavator. This Project Uptime article outlines the controls and the basics of how to drive and park an excavator or mini excavator and use it to dig and backfill. If you’re looking for excavator rentals or other earthmoving equipment, we have the equipment to get the job done. Learn more about excavators in our FAQ section below.
Excavators are sometimes called diggers because they primarily dig or excavate material from the ground. This process involves using their bucket attachment, which is connected to a hydraulic arm, to scoop up and remove soil, rocks or other materials. The term digger derives from this action, emphasizing the machine's primary purpose in various construction, mining and earthmoving projects. Both terms, excavator and digger, are used interchangeably to describe this versatile piece of heavy equipment.
The appropriate size excavator for your project depends on several factors, including the scope of the work, the type of material being excavated, space constraints and budget. United Rentals offers a range of sizes, including mini or compact, mid-sized and large-sized excavators. Check out our Project Uptime article, What Is an Excavator? Different Types and How They're Used. To determine the most suitable excavator size for your specific project, contact one of our equipment rental experts to help you find the best choice for the job.
There are many jobs excavators are used for, including trench excavation, cutting and filling embankments, basement excavation, dredging and excavating various materials like rock, silt, topsoil and muck. To learn more about the difference between excavation and trenching, check out our Project Uptime article.