Why Choosing the Right Construction Equipment Matters

Choosing the right construction equipment isn’t simply about finding a machine capable of doing the job.

The equipment also needs to suit the site, the load, the required reach and the space available to work. Get that wrong and a machine that looked suitable on paper can quickly become something the crew has to work around.

For construction and civil projects, taking a little more time to understand what the job actually requires can make a significant difference once work gets underway.

Choosing The Right Construction Equipment – Get It Wrong & It Can Cost More Than You Think!

Hiring the wrong machine can cost considerably more than the original hire charge.

If equipment doesn’t have enough reach or lifting capacity, materials may need to be handled several times before they reach the required location. A machine that’s too large for the available working area can create access problems. Equipment that’s poorly suited to the ground conditions can introduce another set of difficulties.

The result can be additional labour, lost time and unnecessary delays.

Site conditions therefore need to be considered alongside the basic machine specifications.

Before selecting equipment, it’s worth looking at:

• What needs to be lifted or moved?
• What is the maximum load?
• How high does it need to go?
• How much forward reach is required?
• What access is available?
• How much working space is there?
• What are the ground conditions?
• Will the machine need to perform more than one type of task?

These are practical questions, but answering them before equipment arrives can prevent much bigger problems later.

The Right Equipment Starts With Understanding the Job

When someone contacts us about equipment hire, the first question shouldn’t simply be:

“What machine do you need?”

We prefer to understand what the job actually involves.

The customer may already know exactly which machine they require. In other situations, talking through the work can identify requirements that aren’t immediately obvious.

Reach, lifting capacity, access, ground conditions and available working space all matter. So does understanding what the machine will actually be expected to do while it’s on site.

A machine that works well on one construction project may be completely unsuitable for another.

That’s why our approach at Scissor Digger Hire is to listen to the requirements first and then help identify equipment that suits the job.

Good equipment hire isn’t just about supplying a machine. It’s about supplying equipment that’s appropriate for the work and the conditions in which it will be operating.

When a Project Needs Something More Versatile

Some projects present several equipment requirements at the same time.

There may be materials to unload and move around the site, loads that need to be positioned at height, obstacles that need to be reached over or limited space in which to position equipment.

This is where a more versatile machine can be useful.

One of the specialist machines we have available for hire is the Manitou MRT 2550 rotating telehandler.

The MRT 2550 combines reach, lifting capacity and 360-degree rotation, allowing it to handle a range of lifting and materials-handling tasks around a site.

Depending on the project and attachments being used, applications can include:

• Structural steel and precast installation
• Lifting and positioning materials at height
• Roofing and HVAC work
• Civil and infrastructure projects
• General materials handling
• Work where access or available operating space is restricted

The ability to work in different directions from one position can be particularly useful where repeatedly moving equipment around the site isn’t practical.

Its versatility can also allow one machine to handle different requirements as work progresses.

Matching the Machine to the Project

The Manitou MRT 2550 isn’t automatically the right machine simply because a project involves lifting or working at height.

Every job is different.

The load, reach, access, ground conditions, available space and work being carried out all need to be considered before deciding which equipment is appropriate.

That principle applies whether you’re hiring a rotating telehandler, scissor lift, boom lift, excavator or another piece of construction equipment.

Start with the job, then choose the machine.

It’s a simple approach, but it can help avoid wasted time, unnecessary equipment changes and the frustration of discovering that a machine isn’t suitable once it’s already on site.

Need Equipment for an Upcoming Project?

Scissor Digger Hire provides construction and equipment hire for projects across Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula, Ballarat, Melbourne’s western suburbs and surrounding areas.

If you’ve got an upcoming project, tell us what you’re trying to achieve and we can discuss the equipment requirements with you.

For projects requiring additional reach, lifting capability or a versatile machine capable of handling different tasks, you can also view our Manitou MRT 2550 rotating telehandler hire page for machine details and specifications.