Having the right heavy equipment on hand is a big part of having the ability and flexibility to handle your core projects and other jobs that come along. But by expanding fleet capabilities with attachments, you can open up even more opportunities—both to complete your regular jobs more efficiently and cost-effectively, and to take on new types of work that can generate income during slow periods or help your company grow.
Of course, you have to go about your attachment purchases carefully to maximize ROI and avoid wasted money. But with the right attachment investments, you increase productivity and the variety of applications your crew can tackle with machines like skid steers, compact track loaders, and mini excavators. And not only will it reduce costs if you can handle more of a job yourself without subcontractors, it’s a competitive advantage.
With today’s great coupling technology and huge assortment of attachments—from the fairly versatile to the highly specialized—any construction company or contractor can benefit from expanding fleet capabilities with attachments. Here are some tips to help you decide what to buy.
Increasing Job Site Capabilities with Attachments
- Start by taking a complete, up-to-date inventory of your existing attachments. If you have any sitting around unused, look for ways to get use out of them or clear them out. Do you have enough versatile core attachments like buckets, breakers, blades, clamps, and grapples? Are there obvious holes in your current capabilities?
- Look for ways of expanding fleet capabilities with other attachments that are commonly used, but that you don’t have on hand. For example, consider whether you would benefit from multipurpose attachments like plate compactors, box scrapers, or trenchers. Would it improve job site cleanup efficiency or capabilities do buy attachments like hydraulic brooms? Could you use your own mulcher?
- Review whether you’ve seen the need arise for specialized attachments on a somewhat regular basis. If the same attachment or application has come up repeatedly, it’s usually a good idea to make a purchase.
- Don’t overlook the option to rent attachments, though. Specialized attachments that you’ll use infrequently may not be worth the upfront cost. But if you see a regular need for it, or believe it will play a role in growing your business, it’s generally a smart buy.
- Pay close attention to properly matching attachments and carriers. Coupling the right equipment is important to worker safety, avoiding unnecessary wear and damage to your equipment, and productivity. Always review machine specs. Understand processes like matching buckets to wheel loaders and matching hydraulic breakers to heavy equipment.
