Most contractors and heavy equipment operators tend to have brands that they prefer to use on job sites. There may be various reasons for this brand loyalty, whether it was the first brand they started using early on in their career or it is a brand that they have seen advertised more heavily than others.
However, when it comes down to actual quantifiable factors, what makes a particular brand stand out among the rest in terms of its products? For instance, when it comes time to add an excavator to your fleet, should personal preference be the deciding factor, or is there truly a top brand option to go with that you can determine based on various other considerations?
Your personal experience with a particular brand can say a lot, as it allows you to get to know that brand quite well. However, there are a ton of other factors that you should take into consideration before settling on a brand for the purchase of a new machine, such as an excavator.
Choosing one brand over another can have a significant impact, as different brands produce excavators with varying specs and features. Having one with those you need could make the difference between getting a project done on time or within a particular budget.
Once you find a solid and reliable brand that you can stick with over time, it will reduce the number of decisions you must make while running your business, ultimately making your operation smoother.
If you want to compare various brands as you do some investigative work before purchasing a new excavator, certain factors are more significant than others. If you keep the following things in mind as you pick out an excavator from a brand that is best suited to you, it will help guarantee your satisfaction with the product that you get your hands on:
One thing that helps when deciding on a new excavator purchase is the familiarity of a given brand, as this generally connects to a brand’s serviceability and reliability. If there is significant positive feedback about a brand via word of mouth, it is a good sign that it is a brand you can count on.
Reviewing testimonials can help gauge which make of equipment will work best for your application. Add to this networking with your local association members to learn more about what your professional peers would recommend and you will get an even better picture of how the support network for that equipment is in your area.
It is always a good idea to get a solid idea of the total cost of ownership (TCO) of an excavator from a particular brand, which involves looking into not only the upfront costs but also those that will come with time, such as fuel burn, maintenance costs and parts replacement costs. It’s also important to look into retained value or rebuild costs to get a true idea of what you are investing in.
While you may find that there may be commonalities regarding the pricing of many brands’ excavators, it’s important to look at the costs and to understand what is needed for your company today, tomorrow and 10,000 operating hours from now.
The best way to assess a brand on a macro scale is to examine the microscale and its specific brand offerings. It helps to consider the range of models a brand has and the specs of each of these machines.
If you need a specialty excavator for a project that involves something like dredging, forestry, or demolition, you will find that some brands have such machines to offer while others do not.
If you aim to find and purchase an excavator that you can use in a wide variety of different products, then versatility should also be a factor that you consider. Certain brands tend to produce more versatile machines for several reasons, such as the diversity of attachments.
An excavator can have everything from an auger to a bucket to a grapple and is much more versatile than one that does not have a range of attachments it is compatible with.
If you look into available construction equipment brands that manufacture excavators, you will find more than a handful of options; however, some brands are much more well-known than others. The following are some of the best-known excavator brands that exist and some of the things that each of these brands is known for:
With over 180 years in construction equipment manufacturing, CASE has established a reputable name. The company has evolved in the type of equipment it produces and has been manufacturing excavators since 1967.
CASE exclusively manufactures full-sized excavators, of which they have 19 models, and they are known for designing machines that have fuel efficiency and implement advanced technology.
Caterpillar is one of the construction equipment brands that has built up a large, loyal customer base and has been producing excavators for quite some time (since 1972). Caterpillar offers one of the most sizable excavator lines on the market, with 34 models that range between small, medium, and large sizes, including several wheeled models.
Four models are designed for demolition, and a couple have long-reach capabilities. Caterpillar excavators are known for their durability, fuel efficiency, and comfortable operation.
This Japanese brand currently produces 32 different excavator models. Half are specifically designed for heavy-duty applications, like mining, while the other half are standard crawlers. Hitachi’s newer ZAXIS-7 series is particularly well-known for its ultrashort tail swing, which provides improved mobility and maneuverability.
Volvo is another industry staple, and it has a reputation that it has built up for over a century. With 27 different models, Volvo has become one of the most popular options in North America. Its hybrid models have particularly drawn attention, as they reduce fuel consumption while maintaining the same power as traditional machines.
Volvo machines also have well-designed cabs equipped with shock and vibration reduction features and noise-absorbing liners to improve the comfortability of their operation, ultimately making Volvo one of the best options for excavation.
After comparing various heavy equipment brands, it is clear that Volvo stands out. Its excavators boast the quality, performance, and safety features needed for a successful operation.
If you want to add a Volvo excavator to your fleet to improve your daily operations, you need a reliable Volvo construction equipment dealer. Great West Equipment can help, as we have a wide stock of Volvo’s highest-rated equipment for you to choose from.
We have both new and used machines that you can purchase, all of which boast impressive specs and helpful features that will lead you to success with any construction project you take on.
If you have any questions about the differences between various Volvo models or are uncertain about which direction to take based on your operation’s needs, one of our heavy equipment experts will offer all the guidance you need.
​​For more information about why we are the best Volvo construction equipment dealer or to learn more about the specific Volvo excavator models we offer, call Great West Equipment at 1-833-730-0613 or contact us here.
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