Heavy Construction Equipment: Repair, Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Bobcat Hire Tips

30 April 2021 by Clifton Barnes

Bobcats are one of the most preferred earthmoving equipment in the construction and landscaping industries. Bobcats are compact and can support a wide range of attachments. Additionally, they are significantly cheaper compared to the standard excavator. Below is an excerpt discussing the considerations you should make when hiring Bobcats. 

Your immediate concern should be deciding the kind of Bobcat that you should hire. Below are essential features to look out for: 

1. What is the size of the Bobcat? Small-sized Bobcats are ideal when working in constricted spaces.
2. Check the engine size and weight limits of the Bobcat if you intend to carry heavy materials.
3. Examine the length of the Bobcat's arm if you will use it for digging or loading works.
4. If you will spend long hours operating then Bobcat, examine the comfort of the cabin. Other than a comfortable seat, it should also have an AC system to cool the cabin.
5. Some Bobcats will come with advanced features such as 2-speed travel, dual-direction bucket positioning, auto-throttle and reversing fan.  

Compare the terms of hire of the various Bobcat hiring companies. Typically, you should consider companies with friendly terms such as:

• Free Bobcat transport to and from your site. It will save you the hassle of hiring a flatbed to transport the Bobcat.
• For long-term hire, ask the company to offer free Bobcat maintenance.
• The company should insure the Bobcat to ensure you do not incur liabilities in case of an accident at the site.
• If you have multiple sites, work with companies that allow you to move the equipment. 

More often than not, most hiring companies will have dry and wet Bobcat hire. For dry hire, the company will not provide an operator. You are required to prove that you can operate the equipment or hire a Bobcat operator. Although dry hire is cheap, you are liable if the equipment breaks down. For wet hire, the company provides an operator. The downside of the arrangement is that you will have less control over your project. Remember, the company operator may not be willing to work at night or during the weekends. 

Thoroughly examine the condition of the Bobcat. For instance, check the condition of the engine and the functionality of the various controls. The hydraulic system should not have any leakages or make strange sounds. The equipment's tires should have sufficient tread. It would be wise to ask for the Bobcat's service records to identify any defects that it could develop or any parts that require replacement. 

For more information, contact a Bobcat hire service.

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