What Size Equipment Is Right for Your Construction Project?

Picture courtesy of J Neto

Choosing equipment for your construction project isn’t as easy as walking into your local equipment dealership and pointing at the one that looks the coolest. A lot of factors go into choosing the perfect machine for the job, such as cost, efficiency, fuel type and operating requirements. 

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a new piece of machinery is the size. Which size equipment is right for your job?

Understand Your Construction Project

The first detail to look at is the size and scope of your job. This will vary from project to project — the equipment you need to build a single-family home won’t be the same as the fleet you’ll need to construct a skyscraper or office building.

This is one case where size matters, and bigger isn’t always better. If your equipment is too large, you won’t be able to complete the necessary task, or if you can, it will be with some degree of difficulty. It doesn’t take much, especially in the early stages of a project, to swing an oversized excavator bucket right through a wall.

If you’re lucky, all you’ll damage is the wall. If you’re not, you could bring the whole roof down on your head. Either way, you’re stuck with costly repairs and looming deadlines because you just had to have the biggest piece of equipment on the lot. 

It’s like trying to paint a detailed portrait with the largest brush at the store. You might end up with something resembling your project at the end, but it won’t be perfect. You might even end up inadvertently doing more damage with large equipment than you would with properly sized machines. 

On the other side of the coin, you don’t want to choose something that’s too small for the job. You wouldn’t try to dig a ditch with a spoon, and you shouldn’t try to finish a project with a tool that’s too small.

Picture courtesy of J Neto

Things to Consider When Choosing Construction Equipment

Size isn’t the only thing you need to consider when choosing construction equipment for your next project. Each type of machinery will have its own factors you’ll need to explore to determine if it’s the best option for a particular project. If you need an excavator to dig a hole or trench, you should assess everything from dig depth and reach length to bucket size and lifting capacity.

Sticking with the excavator example, you need to look at size and application. Mini excavators are ideal for crowded worksites, small projects or cases when you’ll need to move your equipment between multiple job sites. Larger excavators become useful for massive projects or cases where a mini version just won’t be enough to do the job.

Digging extensive trench work for new utility lines would be a job for a larger excavator. Moving earth to flatten a backyard before installing a deck is a job better suited for smaller equipment. 

​Ask yourself these questions when choosing a new piece of construction equipment: 

• How much space do I have to work? If you’re working in compact spaces, you won’t want to buy or rent the largest piece of equipment available. You’ll just end up stepping on people’s toes — possibly literally. 
• How much work needs to be done? You might be able to move massive amounts of earth or other materials with a miniature excavator, but it will be a lot more difficult than it needs to be. Keep that in mind when choosing your equipment.
• What type of material am I working with? Are you just moving loose soil or are you working with rocks, gravel and other heavier materials? Weight limits and capacities will play an enormous role in which piece of equipment you choose. 
• What does the job site look like? Are you working on pavement where treads could cause damage? Or are you working on loose gravel where tires might slip and slide, creating a hazard?
• What’s my budget? This question will determine whether you’re buying or renting your equipment and what you can afford to bring to the job site.

What Size Equipment Is Right for Your Project?

​We can offer you all the advice in the world, but when it comes down to it, deciding your equipment size is a very personal decision. What works for one project might not work for someone else on a similar one. 

Take the time to do your research and figure out which equipment size will work best for you and your goals. Remember that bigger isn’t always better, and sometimes you’ll want to downsize to get the job done. If you keep that in mind, you’ll be fine. 

Author Bio: Rose Morrison is a freelance writer who covers construction and building design topics. She is also the managing editor for Renovated. ​

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​Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
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