{"id":265,"date":"2020-12-22T17:14:27","date_gmt":"2020-12-22T17:14:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cohesivehomes.com\/?p=265"},"modified":"2020-12-22T17:14:28","modified_gmt":"2020-12-22T17:14:28","slug":"mini-excavator-into-a-back-yard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cohesivehomes.com\/mini-excavator-into-a-back-yard","title":{"rendered":"How to Get a Mini Excavator Into a Backyard"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Excavators are among the most versatile heavy machinery you can buy. It can dig, it can haul, it can grind, drill, bore, and do so much more. To make sure you enjoy the same versatility that larger excavators offer at a lower cost and without breaking everything around your work area, you can go for mini excavators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We have been discussing mini excavators for quite a while and we have mentioned time again how mini excavators have a way of fitting into tight workspaces where others can\u2019t. A common question DIY-ers ask when it comes to excavators is how to get a mini excavator into a backyard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mini excavators with treads are much easier to fit into tighter spaces than wheeled ones and offer more maneuverability. However, in places where there is no path for an excavator \u2013 not even mini excavators, you may have to remove fence panels, ask neighbors for access, lift it with a crane, or reassemble the excavator altogether on the work site. <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here, we\u2018ll discuss the different options at your disposal to get a mini excavator into a backyard, along with some alternatives to choose from. So, let\u2019s start digging!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Typical Mini Excavator Dimensions<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
As the excavator tonnage increases, the dimensions also increase, that much is clear. However, how big does it get? Will it fit in your backyard, let alone the path toward it? In this section, we will look at the dimensions of typical mini excavators you can rent out (or buy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tonnage<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>
Swing Radius<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>
Width<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>
Height<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
>1 Ton<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>
1210 mm<\/td>
740 mm<\/td>
2140 mm<\/td><\/tr>
1-2 Ton<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>
1380 mm<\/td>
1300-1500 mm<\/td>
2430 mm<\/td><\/tr>
3-5 Ton<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>
1473 mm<\/td>
1800-2000 mm<\/td>
2540 mm<\/td><\/tr>
5-10 Ton<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>
1524 mm<\/td>
2030-2130 mm<\/td>
2438 mm<\/td><\/tr>
10-15 Ton<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>
2400 mm<\/td>
2200-2690 mm<\/td>
2950 mm<\/td><\/tr>
15 -20 Ton<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>
2850 mm<\/td>
2700-2900 mm<\/td>
2295 mm<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>Typical sizes of a mini excavator.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
As you can see from the table above, as the tonnage increases, the width also increases. Length of a mini excavator isn\u2019t necessarily directly proportional to the weight, though. When choosing which mini excavator to go for, choose one that fits in your backyard based on the general dimensions provided above.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To get a better idea, we recommend you get in touch with your rental service and ask them for specific figures. You need to consider the height, width, and the swing radius of your excavator to ensure that you have enough room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For row houses, getting a mini excavator in your backyard can be specifically difficult since there is no excavator that can fit in the alley headed there. You have to take another route, as explained in the next section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting Your Mini Excavator <\/strong>t<\/strong>o Your Backyard \u2013 How to<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
First, let\u2019s go over the easy bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s say you find an excavator that fits the alley headed to your backyard. All you have to do is retract the claw\/bucket and compact the excavator as much as possible. Next, it\u2019s a simple matter of driving the excavator in. Before you know it, you can get back to work:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A mini excavator in someones backyard<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Try not to turn your excavator (especially tracked ones) too rigorously, else you risk damaging the turf\/grass underneath the excavator.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A complication that may arise here is that your mini excavator might touch your neighbor\u2019s fence on the way. We recommend keeping at least 1 ft. away from your house and the fence. You may have to ask your neighbor for permission to remove their fence first and then drive the excavator in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But what if the alley isn\u2019t as wide, even with the fence removed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In that case, you have two options;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Use a Crane to Lift the Excavator<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Here, you may have to rent out a crane as well depending on how high you want the excavator lifted. This is a very, very <\/em>expensive venture. Not only will you have to pay rent for the excavator, but also for the crane and its fuel; TWICE. Once to get it in there and again to get it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. <\/strong>Disassembling & Assembling <\/strong>t<\/strong>he Mini Excavator<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The next option you have at your disposal is to disassemble the excavator right outside your home, shift the disassembled pieces into your backyard and reassemble it again. In theory it sounds great, but when it comes to practical applications, there are numerous flaws in this plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First; you will need permission from the renter to disassemble it<\/strong>. Most people don\u2019t allow such disassembly to DIY-ers because there is always a risk of something going wrong. Would you rent out tens of thousands of dollar-equipment to someone who isn\u2019t certified in putting an excavator back together and allow them to disassemble it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Second, as mentioned above, there is a risk involved<\/strong>. What if you aren\u2019t able to reassemble the excavator as it was? It\u2019s one thing to remove the boom or the bucket alone, but it\u2019s entirely another to completely pull the machine apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Third, even if you have managed to pull the excavator apart without damaging anything, how are you going to transport everything<\/strong> if the excavator is no longer in running condition?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Murphy\u2019s Law tells us that whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. <\/em>So there\u2019s a huge risk involved in this process and chances are that you might find yourself holding the wrong end of the stick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is also a fourth option. You could ask the renter to disassemble and assemble it for you and pay them for transportation as well<\/strong>. Again, this is an expensive venture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Out of the two options, we would go for the first one, i.e., hiring a crane. Yes, it\u2019s expensive, but it beats having to pay extra for labor and transport costs. Knowing us DIY-ers, labor cost is something that eats us whole!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reason we\u2019re suggesting the first option is that since you have rented the crane out, you can use it for something other than just transporting your excavator. There are numerous tasks it can help you out with, too, such as transporting raw material, lifting the debris your excavator leaves behind, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ve already paid rent for the day; why not use it to the fullest? The same is applicable for when removing the mini excavator from your backyard. Hire a crane, remove the excavator, remove debris, and return both machines together.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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