Excavators are sometimes called diggers because they primarily dig or excavate material from the ground. This process involves using their bucket attachment, which is connected to a hydraulic arm, to scoop up and remove soil, rocks or other materials. The term digger derives from this action, emphasizing the machine's primary purpose in various construction, mining and earthmoving projects. Both terms, excavator and digger, are used interchangeably to describe this versatile piece of heavy equipment.

The appropriate size excavator for your project depends on several factors, including the scope of the work, the type of material being excavated, space constraints and budget. United Rentals offers a range of sizes, including mini or compact, mid-sized and large-sized excavators. To determine the most suitable excavator size for your specific project, contact one of our equipment rental experts to help you find the best choice for the job.

There are many jobs excavators are used for, including trench excavation, cutting and filling embankments, basement excavation, dredging and excavating various materials like rock, silt, topsoil and muck.