Construction projects usually cost huge amounts of money and great attention to detail. Picking the suitable equipment for your site can turn into a nightmare when certain factors are not given serious consideration.
The correct choice and proper use of machinery determine the quality, safety, financial viability, and timely completion of your project. Before you buy heavy machinery, it is crucial to have a good idea about the various types of equipment and their usage. This article aims to do exactly that.
Choosing the Right Construction Machines
The construction equipment (CE) market consists of a broad range of machines that can be separated based on purpose and features. Generally speaking, there are five main categories in the CE sector. They are:
- Moving equipment
- Road construction machinery
- Concrete equipment
- Material handling equipment
- Material processing equipment.
You need to go for equipment that suits your construction site, the requirements of the project, and the budget. The following factors are to be kept in mind while selecting which machines to buy.
Proper Research
Each piece of construction equipment can be considered a long-term asset for your company. You need to conduct proper research and define your requirements clearly. Then you can look into the details like what machine, which model, which manufacturer, and so on.
Identify the Purpose of the Project
The type of job, or what exactly you are going to construct, plays a key role in determining what machines you need. Take some time before making the purchase, and point out the technicalities of the job you have undertaken.
For instance, if you are doing demolition work, transporting building materials, excavating, or paving roads, you need a backhoe loader. So get a good idea of the various types and sizes of backhoe loaders in the market, to pick the right model that fits your purpose.
Estimate the Size of the Project
With the type of job marked out, it is necessary to figure out the size of your project. This further narrows down your checklist and helps you make more accurate choices. It is easier for small projects where you do not require that many machines.
However, for large projects like highway or bridge constructions, a large number of machines of different types is required. You need to understand what features to look for in your excavators, cranes, concrete pumps, dozers, and paving machines.
Decide on the Size of Equipment
The scale of your project has a direct impact on what size of machines you need to get. Larger machines generally promise higher output. But if they are partly loaded and not up to their full capacity, the fuel expense goes up significantly, and so does the overall cost of production.
Cost of Project and Financial Viability
It is vital to have a detailed idea of the overall cost of your project. Allocation of funds and cost efficiency can make or break any construction operation. In case of budget-related issues, find out which banks and financial institutions offer heavy machine finance and loans to buy construction equipment.
Every machine purchased is an addition to your bottom-line cost, so keep the following factors in mind.
- Price of equipment
- Construction material costs
- Fuel consumption
- Labour expenses
- Maintainance costs
- Transportation and utilities, and
- Taxes, registrations, and insurance.
Take Equipment Versatility Into Account
Prioritize machines that can perform more than one function and are compatible with different attachments. In this way, you can justify the purchase cost, and make your project more feasible financially.
Attachments play a crucial role as they enable you to deploy the same machine for various kinds of work. For example, skid steers can be fitted with a number of attachments in order to perform multiple tasks like digging trenches, boring holes, clearing debris, and plowing mud and snow.
Assess the Job Site and the Working Conditions
Before you buy heavy equipment, look into the details of your job site – whether it is a large open space or a closed area, ease of transporting materials, and obstacles in moving your machinery around.
You should always keep the following conditions in mind:
- Weather conditions
- Type of terrain
- Type of machines to be used, and
- Kind of landscaping you are making.
Consider the Reputation of Manufacturers
It is always advisable to buy equipment from trusted dealers and manufacturers, who have been active in the market for some time. Choose sellers who offer reliable and prompt after-sales service so that you have immediate help in case your machines are having issues.
Training and Certification Required
Form an idea of the skills of your crew and what level of training they need to use new machines. Some large equipment such as cranes and excavators require government certification in order to be operated by workers.
If your operators do not have the required skillset, it is bound to cost you significant resources and money and set your project back for days and months. It is also mandatory to have the necessary safety features in the machines and in your site to respond to accidents and unforeseen events.
Whether to Buy or Rent Heavy Equipment
| Buying Equipment | Renting Equipment |
| Buying a construction machine means making a long-term investment. Make sure that your machine is worth the investment and that you will need to use it in the years to come. For example, the cost of a new heavy-duty drilling machine with hammering varies around INR 20 to 40 lakhs. | Renting is not only cheaper than buying, it also saves you the responsibility of storage and maintenance. When you rent, you just have to make sure that you return the machine in good condition. For instance, if you rent the same drilling machine, it will cost you around INR 1000 to 2000 per day. |
Final Insights
There can be no doubt about the fact that heavy construction equipment is difficult and quite expensive to acquire. However, it can be made much easier with proper research and knowledge put into practice.
The choice and use of machinery are some of the key factors that dictate the success of your project. If you are looking to buy, sell, or rent construction equipment, Heavy Machinery Care (HMC) has got to be your next stop.
Download the HMC app on Google Play or the App Store now and connect with hundreds of verified sellers and buyers of heavy equipment across India.
