What is the Difference Between Diggers and Excavators?

So you’ve got a big home Improvement project on your hands and it requires the needs to move the earth, literally. You’ve figured out you’re going to need a Digger… But what is the difference between Diggers and Excavators? Excavators are the most iconic plant equipment you’ll find on a construction site. Diggers are likewise and commonly referred to in construction terms but which type do you need and are they available for hire?

We found ourselves asking these exact questions and reached out to Tiger Plant to answer the most common questions about diggers and excavators that way you’ll be able to make an informed decision on your plant hire.

Diggers vs. Excavators – What’s the Difference?

Simply put, there’s no difference between a digger and an excavator. Naturally, this can confuse the uninitiated, but the terms are used interchangeably. A digger to one person is an excavator to another! Excavators most commonly use a bucket attachment for large-scale digging, but there are other attachments available for different jobs (more on that shortly).

What Jobs Can Diggers Do?

An excavator is a go-to machine for digging jobs of both large and small scales. They come in a variety of sizes to meet the needs of domestic excavations and huge site digs as well. If you need earth to be dug up and relocated, a digger is the tool for the job.

Can I Use an Excavator for Other Jobs?

As mentioned earlier, excavators can benefit from a variety of attachments that fit on the end of the digging arm. The standard bucket attachment is perfect for simple digging and lifting, but you might want a drill or auger attachment in specific situations. There’s also a wide variety of different bucket types that you can leverage for your site’s needs.

What Types of Diggers are Available?

The family of diggers is vast and versatile with a variety of properties such as longer reach, tracked or wheeled chassis and variable sizes. Here are a few of the most popular types of diggers:

Micro Digger

Micro excavators are the smallest digger type available. In this class, you’ll find machines ideal for small at-home jobs, capable of fitting through doorways in some situations. They’re perfect for small garden jobs and patio reworks, and their manoeuvrability makes them easier to handle than larger digger types.

Mini Digger

Mini diggers are the next size up. They naturally have more power than micro diggers but
are still ideal for sites with limited access. Mini diggers are recommended for domestic jobs
that require a firmer and more robust touch.

Midi Digger

When it comes to the ideal level of digging depth and power, midi excavators offer bucketloads of both. They can get through intense jobs with ease, so if site access is less of an issue, midi digger hire could be for you. Be aware that they are typically tougher to navigate, and with the increased power comes an increased margin for error, so a specialist operator is highly advised.

Crawler Excavator

The largest digger type available, crawler excavators are perfect for large-scale civil jobs or for quickly and powerfully moving huge volumes of dirt. They’re the most comfortable digger to operate but suffer from a sizeable reduction in portability, but what they lack here they more than makeup in speed and efficiency.

Lease a Digger with Tiger Plant Hire

Now that you’ve learned about the types of diggers out there, if you’re in need of one simply contact your local plant hire company. Whether you’re after a massive crawler or a simple micro digger, they’ll be able to advise you on the best machine for your needs. If you’re still not sure and want to do a bit more research check out more information on Tiger Plant’s FAQs for some helpful answers to the most common questions.