Blog

 

It’s easy to forget that just a few hundred years ago Australia once had no skyscrapers or train lines, much like the rest of the world. The last hundred years has seen an exponential increase in the size, productivity and efficiency of earth moving equipment. Construction equipment has literally changed the shape of the planet; building canals, digging up mountains and flooding valleys with dams. In this article, we will discuss how construction equipment has evolved over time.

 

Before Modern Records

Nobody is quite sure who invented the shovel, the pickaxe and the hoe, but these instruments surely revolutionised the way work was carried out. There is even some evidence to suggest that these devices were invented in different places, at different times, in different iterations. The functions they provided would have drastically increased the efficiency and productivity of agricultural tasks, leading to increased yields and the ability to support larger populations.

 

The Days of Horsing Around

Historical records of Rome, and what is now called Europe, provides evidence of animal-integrated construction. Horses, donkeys and oxen were regularly employed to drag materials, assist in the construction of roads, and provide mechanical advantage to foundries and granaries.

 

Steam Changed Everything and Diesel Changed it Again

The first versions of the bulldozer, dump truck and tractor were horse-drawn apparatuses. Engineers were quick to realise the power of the steam engine, and it wasn’t long before work animals were replaced. Steam power ran across the world, bringing with it the power of the train and quickly opened new areas to agricultural and mining. The advent of the internal combustion, and eventually the diesel engine, revolutionised construction equipment once again, as it was much cheaper than petrol and provided easily portable power to machines around the world.

 

Caterpillar Tracks

As the power of engines and demands of industry grew, construction vehicles became bigger, capable of moving ever increasing loads. The rigid wheels of the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries were not well matched to handing the varied landscapes of the world, and frequently got bogged as a result. Caterpillar tracks hit the market through a series of innovations by different inventors around the world, and suddenly construction machines could go almost everywhere. Caterpillar tracks are still the popular choice for a lot of earth moving equipment, such as excavators.

 

For Modern Equipment in Queensland, talk to AllClass Construction Equipment

AllClass Construction Equipment are distributors of hard working heavy machinery equipment in Queensland. We specialise in new and used Kubota mini-excavators and offer a wide range of construction and power equipment. We offer a personalized service, and you will deal with a real person who cares about your satisfaction. Talk to one of our professional consultants today by calling 1300 255 252. Alternatively, contact us online.

It’s fair to say that the introduction of mini excavators in the construction industry is a revolution. Mini excavators have become very popular in the extremely cost-conscious building trade and in other sectors. They’re well known for their high performance, reliability, and excellent business values. They’re also very practical options in many ways, reducing operating costs and delivering measurable values.

The 7 Benefits

These benefits are the reasons why mini excavators have taken over from larger excavators around the world:

 

1. Agility: Mini excavators are highly manoeuvrable on any work site. They can access all areas and reduce positioning time compared with large excavators.

 

2. Ease of training: Mini excavators are very trainee-friendly. It’s easy to learn how to operate a mini excavator, which also reduces training costs and time.

 

3. Better access onsite: Mini excavators can move into tight areas and operate with ease. The traditional access issues with large excavators make the bigger machines quite unsuitable for some sites. There’s much less need to demolish to obtain access, too.

 

4. Less damage to the worksite: These lighter vehicles don’t dig up the soil or turn worksites into quagmires when it rains. The mini excavators leave a very small footprint on operating surfaces, reducing risks to driveways, gardens, etc.

 

5. Transport: The much smaller mini excavators are easy to transport by trailer, eliminating the expensive logistics of moving large excavators while delivering the extra benefits of their size and agility.

 

6. Multi-functionality and high productivity: One area where mini excavators truly excel is in their versatility and ability to deliver multiple onsite services using attachments. A mini excavator can actually do more than a large excavator in this regard.

 

7. Lower operating costs: Mini excavators save money in all areas of operation compared to big excavators. They can do the same work at a lower cost while delivering the same performance as large excavators in many different roles.

Business Benefits

The 7 benefits above all add up to a further, ongoing major benefit in the form of much better cost values for businesses. If you’re considering your options for buying a mini excavator, there are some added points for consideration

A mini excavator will deliver:

• Reduced operating costs
• Lower training costs
• Improved functionality and versatility
• No major access issues
• Better transportability and logistics
• Improved profitability through lower costs
• Very high values in onsite performance across all types of work
• Much better operational efficiency onsite

These net values, applied to a construction company over any period of time, equal major dollar values for businesses. A mini excavator is as much an investment as a piece of equipment. You can reduce overheads, improve performance, and add a range of capabilities to your business.

Brisbane’s Home of Mini Excavators

Allclass Construction Equipment has an impressive range of new and used mini excavators. If you’d like to find out more, call us or contact us online and discuss your needs with our mini excavator experts.  We’re happy to assist and provide any guidance you require.

Mini excavators are the workhorses of the construction industry. Every construction firm has at least one. The major issue with these reliable and hardworking machines is transport. This makes a good trailer a must-have piece of construction equipment.

In this post, we’re going to give you some pointers about choosing the right trailer for your needs.

Trailer Essentials

Looking for a mini excavator trailer? You will need:

• A trailer with good carrying capacity above the weight of your mini excavator. This extra capacity means that your trailer is strong enough to handle the added stresses of road travel, moving around sites, and other strains.
• Preferably new: Trailers are placed under major stresses over their working life. Old trailers are OK for lighter workloads, but not for carrying important equipment like a mini excavator. You need a new trailer that which is in top quality condition, particularly if you’re on the road a lot, moving from site to site.
• Good wheels: A good trailer has at least four wheels supporting the tail of the trailer. This gives better balance on the road and improves steering by managing the load of the mini excavator more efficiently on the road.
• Solid carry frame: Whether you choose steel or alloy, the frame is a critical part of the trailer. The frame should also have a solid plate base for positioning your mini excavator with supports. This keeps the excavator steady and in place on the road.

Considerations: Safety, On Site and On Road Performance

You’ll have noticed from the above points that your choice of trailer is based on its ability to manage the load of your mini excavator on the road. This isn’t just common sense – it’s also a major safety issue.

Load movement and drift on substandard trailers are notorious for creating issues on the road. Heavy weights on trailers can cause significant performance issues for towing vehicles. Slow responses or wide drifting movement on a trailer is a recipe for trouble. A good trailer responds well to towing vehicle movement and doesn’t drift. This makes travel a lot safer and reduces the risk of accidents.

Performance problems with the trailer can also do damage to your vehicle. An erratic trailer can add strain to its steering, brakes, and suspension. That, in turn, can cause safety issues for the vehicle and added maintenance costs.

A good trailer is a useful asset for getting your mini excavator on the ground and working with minimal fuss. Get the advantage by choosing a safe, manoeuvrable trailer that can position your mini excavator wherever you want.

Ask Allclass Construction Equipment about Trailers

If you need a top quality trailer for your business in Brisbane, call Allclass Construction Equipment or contact us online and ask us about our trailers. We’re happy to provide you with any advice, guidance, and services you need.

If you’re in the construction industry, purchasing equipment is an ongoing evaluation of choices and costs. There is a vast amount of equipment available, all of which is a potential major asset. While this means plenty of choices for the consumer, it can also mean difficulty choosing appropriate equipment.

We’ve put together a checklist to make your purchasing decisions a bit easier.

Understand the Basics

Start at the beginning. What do you need? What’s your budget? What are your choices?

Let’s look at the absolute basics. There are two categories of must-have construction equipment:

• Essential construction equipment: What are your top priorities? Do you need an excavator, a stump grinder, a trench digger, an onsite power generator, or a mix of these things? Make a short list with your budget in mind.
• Attachments and accessories for your equipment: Will you need a hydraulic hammer, a trailer for travel, a palette fork, or other gear? To decide, stick to the attachments and accessories that are required for your work. Plan your purchasing strictly on a needs basis. If you don’t need something right now, it can wait.

Planning Your Purchases

OK, you’ve got your lists. Now you can assess what’s available on the market and break down your choices into simple but effective options.

For example – let’s assume you want an excavator. This is your checklist for the essentials:

• Suitable for your core work: This is a yes/no answer. Stick to the equipment that delivers the capacity you need. Check performance, product specifications, and all the other critical data to make sure.
• Able to carry all the attachments you need, like hydraulic hammers, etc.: Your attachments and accessories list simplifies your range of choices by eliminating unsuitable equipment. Ensure the attachments are suitable for your choice of machine and check their performance information as a guide.
• New or used? This isn’t entirely a cost issue. Sometimes used equipment is a very good option. If you find a reliable piece of equipment you know is good and can do the job, a used machine is likely to be a good choice. As long as you can get a used machine serviced, it’s a potentially viable option.
• Spare parts: If there’s any doubt at all about spares, forget about the purchase. All machines need spares. You should be able to access authentic parts, too, particularly for good brands.
• Servicing: Like spares, it’s essential that you understand the servicing schedule and the ease of servicing before you purchase. It’s not worth the frustration to buy equipment that might be hard to service. That can be expensive and it will risk significant downtime.

Call Allclass Construction Equipment

We hope you’ve found our checklist useful and informative. If you’re looking for any kind of construction equipment in Brisbane, call us or contact us online. We’ll be happy to find the perfect equipment for your business.