Running an excavator business successfully is no easy task. Many aspects require attention during the operation. From the purchase and transportation of the excavator, selection of projects, choice of operator, to maintenance and repairs, all are links you need to consider. So, what are the tips for running an excavator business? Taking the mini excavator as an example, here are five tips from an experienced driver.

I. Machine Purchase

1. Project Scale

For large-scale earth-rock works and medium-to-large open-pit mining projects, the specifications, models, and quantity of hydraulic excavators to be purchased should be determined by a design institute or relevant experts based on various factors such as investment scale and supporting equipment.

2. Other Supporting Facilities

When purchasing an excavator, consider the compatibility with your existing equipment. This includes matching the working efficiency of the excavator with that of your current equipment. Avoid using mismatched equipment to prevent waste.

3. Site Conditions

For construction, you need to understand the terrain of the job site and what to pay attention to during travel and operation. You can only make a better choice by understanding the working environment.

II. Operational Tips

1. Don’t readily contract earth-rock projects. You never know what’s underneath the soil. Being asked to dig one foot deeper could cost you a whole day’s struggle.
2. Since small construction machinery typically involves short project durations, it’s necessary for you to survey the site yourself before each job. Spending a whole day fixing a problem that takes two hours to solve isn’t worth it.
3. Profits from working in rural areas are generally higher than working in cities. Reasons: Rural residents rarely delay payment; they hire you when they have the money. Also, rural residents are less difficult than urban subcontractors. Working for one rural household might bring you work from the whole village. It’s necessary to offer appropriate incentives; paying a few hundred as information fees could bring you tens of thousands in returns.
4. When working in mountainous areas, equipping the machine with a breaker hammer is necessary. Some foundation excavation jobs can’t be done without a hammer, giving you a competitive edge.

III. Machine Safety

As mini excavators’ main customer base is in rural and municipal areas, with short job durations and high mobility, they often come with their own trailers, traveling through mountains and forests. Here are a few small suggestions:

1. The trailer should not be too high, as a high trailer is prone to hitting electrical wires.
2. Brakes must be air brakes, preferably with a water spray feature. During long downhill grades, brakes can easily weaken. Accidents where both the vehicle and people tumble down a cliff are often caused by hydraulic (oil) brakes.
3. For parking, a spring brake (fail-safe/parking brake) is recommended. If not available, always place stones under the wheels when loading or unloading the mini excavator. Having someone just step on the brake is insufficient. The experience of the excavator and trailer sliding together is quite frightening.
4. If frequently traveling on mountain roads, the trailer’s wheelbase shouldn’t be too long, otherwise navigating curves uphill will be difficult. The choice of trailer should be based on local geographical conditions.

IV. Machine Management

The choice of operator will greatly determine the reputation of your work and the lifespan of the machine. Don’t save a few hundred yuan monthly by hiring a fresh graduate or an operator who doesn’t take care of the machine to abuse your equipment.

If the job is done poorly, locals won’t call you a second time. A scratch on the machine will cost more than just a few hundred to fix.

Don’t put on airs in front of the operator, and don’t be stingy with them. When an operator works with emotion, they will operate roughly. Of course, the best operator is actually the owner themselves, provided you have the time and energy.

The operator’s daily operation and maintenance habits significantly impact the excavator’s service life and the owner’s local reputation.

V. Machine Maintenance

Daily tasks like greasing the entire machine, draining water from the fuel tank and water separator, checking engine oil, and checking coolant are essential. Premature wear of the fuel system (injection pump, injectors) is often caused by the operator’s inadequate daily maintenance.

Make time to blow out the air filter and radiator. Machine maintenance intervals must be followed on time and completely. If working in harsh environments (prolonged breaker hammer use, dusty conditions), maintenance intervals should be shortened.

Furthermore, a dirty cab can easily clog the AC filter, and recirculating dusty air is also harmful to your health.

The principles of running a mini excavator business go far beyond these five points. To run an excavator business successfully, you need to consider all aspects.