Equipment and Machinery Articles

Excavation equipment guides: excavator sizes and weights, mini excavators, skid steers, backhoes, attachments, costs, and brand comparisons.
Lifting with an Excavator

October 17, 2026 | Matt

Lifting with an Excavator

A practical guide to lifting with an excavator: reading the lift chart, rigging the load, accounting for sling angles and attachment weight, setting up on stable ground, and keeping the machine and crew out of the tip-over zone.

Diesel Aftertreatment and DEF

October 16, 2026 | Matt

Diesel Aftertreatment and DEF

A plain-English guide to Tier 4 Final aftertreatment on heavy equipment: what DEF is, how SCR and DPF work, regeneration, storage and quality rules, and how to avoid derates.

Working on Slopes with an Excavator

October 12, 2026 | Matt

Working on Slopes with an Excavator

Safe excavator slope work comes down to tracking up and down the fall line, benching a level platform, and keeping the bucket low.

Excavator Quick Couplers

October 10, 2026 | Matt

Excavator Quick Couplers

How excavator quick couplers work - pin grab vs. wedge lock, mechanical vs. hydraulic, dual-lock ISO 13031 safety, machine fit, cost, and the daily habits that prevent dropped buckets.

Excavator Undercarriage Wear and Maintenance

October 02, 2026 | Matt

Excavator Undercarriage Wear and Maintenance

A practical guide to excavator undercarriage wear and maintenance: the eight wear points to measure, track tension and sag specs, component replacement thresholds, operating habits that accelerate wear, and how to plan parts swaps before a full track group rebuild.

Excavator Thumb Attachments

September 27, 2026 | Matt

Excavator Thumb Attachments

A practical guide to excavator thumb attachments: the three thumb types, how each mounts to the stick or bucket pin, what to check for machine compatibility, the jobs where a thumb pays for itself, and the safety habits that keep operators out of trouble.

Do You Need a CDL to Haul Heavy Equipment?

September 26, 2026 | Matt

Do You Need a CDL to Haul Heavy Equipment?

A plain-language guide to CDL and hauling rules for heavy equipment: the GVWR and GCWR thresholds that trigger a Class A license, when a USDOT number and medical card apply, trailer brake and hitch limits, and the four-tiedown securement standard.

How to Operate an Excavator

September 25, 2026 | Matt

How to Operate an Excavator

A beginner-to-intermediate guide to running an excavator: ISO and SAE control patterns, the pre-shift walk-around, digging and loading technique, traveling safely, and the OSHA rules that apply.

Skid Steer vs. Compact Track Loader

September 23, 2026 | Matt

Skid Steer vs. Compact Track Loader

Compact track loader or wheeled skid steer? How ground pressure, traction, rated operating capacity ratings, undercarriage costs, and duty cycle decide the right machine.

Tracked vs. Wheeled Excavators

September 21, 2026 | Matt

Tracked vs. Wheeled Excavators

Tracks or tires? A practical comparison of tracked and wheeled excavators covering traction, stability, digging depth, travel speed, transport, and lifetime undercarriage costs.

Buying a Used Excavator: What to Inspect

September 19, 2026 | Matt

Buying a Used Excavator: What to Inspect

A used excavator inspection checklist covering undercarriage wear, hydraulic leaks, engine smoke, structural cracks, oil analysis, and the loaded function test that reveals what the meter hides.

Choosing the Right Compaction Equipment

September 16, 2026 | Matt

Choosing the Right Compaction Equipment

Matching plate compactors, jumping jack rammers, and vibratory rollers to soil type, lift thickness, and site access so fill actually reaches the density the job requires.