Digger and Driver Hire - Should You Hire One With Or Without a Driver?

 

Whether you’re building a patio, digging out a pond or carrying out any other groundwork construction project, hiring a digger will speed up the process. But should you hire one with or without an operator?

While you could save on insurance costs by hiring the machinery without a driver, this is usually a false economy. A driver’s experience will ensure that the work is completed correctly and efficiently.

Cost

Mini diggers are surprisingly affordable when you hire them with a driver. However, you should keep in mind that there are additional costs that may be involved. These include transport and accessories. You also need to consider the number of days you want to rent it for. For example, weekend prices tend to be higher than weekday prices.

Some people choose to hire a mini garden digger without a driver/operator to save money. But this is usually a false economy. It can take a long time to learn how to operate plant machinery and it will not be as efficient as hiring an experienced digger operator.

The average cost of hiring a digger and driver is PS270 per day, although this figure varies depending on where you live in the UK. You should also factor in the cost of insurance. Some companies offer this as part of the price but others charge an extra fee for it.

Types

Diggers are versatile, allowing them to be used for a variety of projects. From reshaping land and digging holes to creating garden ponds, they are essential tools in many industries. Choosing the right type of digger depends on the project’s needs and the size of the site. Small diggers are suitable for confined spaces, while large excavators can handle bigger construction projects.

The type of soil also plays a role in the kind Digger and driver hire of digger that should be hired. Heavy clays or rocks require specialised equipment, while lighter materials can be worked with standard buckets. Similarly, the excavation work required will determine the size of the bucket needed.

Individuals usually don’t need a special licence to operate a digger on private land, but competency must be ensured to avoid injury or damage. The health and safety guidelines of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations are also a factor to consider. These rules outline the minimum requirements for operating plant-hire machinery in the UK.

Safety

Whether you are using a digger for a construction project or personal work, it is important to follow strict safety protocols. These protocols will protect your health, the health of other people on site, and your equipment from damage. These protocols include proper training and certification, conducting a pre-operation inspection, and wearing appropriate protective gear. It is also important to keep the machine in good condition, including checking fluid levels and ensuring that all safety features are working properly.

A common mistake made by digger operators is overestimating the equipment’s power and reach. This can lead to serious accidents and machine damage. In addition, it is important to establish clear communication protocols with other workers on the construction site. This can be done through hand signals or radios. Using a spotter is another great way to improve digger operator safety. This will help prevent other workers from accidentally walking into the digger’s operational area while it is in use.

Insurance

Diggers and excavators are expensive pieces of equipment and so, it’s important to make sure that they are protected in case something goes wrong. There are a number of different insurance policies available, including public liability insurance, theft cover and equipment insurance that can be tailored to your business needs.

As specialist vehicles, these machines can cost tens of thousands of pounds and so they need to be properly protected. It’s possible that they could be stolen or damaged whilst in use and so having the right coverage in place will help ensure that you don’t have to pay out of pocket if this happens. This is especially important if you are using them on public roads as many businesses will ask for proof of appropriate insurances before they hire your services. In addition, diggers and excavators can also cause damage to third party property unintentionally so having public liability coverage in place is essential.