Decided Between Buying And Renting An Excavator

When you have a lot of ground to break and move, you need an excavator. But they can be expensive, so it’s only natural to ask: should you buy one or rent one? We here at Burrows Tractor know that can be a tough decision, so we’ve put together a comparison to get you started. To learn more, or to see the excavators we have for sale, contact our store in Plains, Oregon, today!

The Finances

First, tally up the total costs of both. When you buy an excavator, you also have to pay for maintenance, fuel, storage, and accessories or add-ons you need. A used option can save you some money, but it still requires that you pay for all the extras.

Renting an excavator is significantly cheaper. You don’t need to worry about the upkeep and storage, and you may not even need to worry about the fuel, depending on the deal you strike. However, if you need an excavator consistently over a long enough period of time, renting it may actually cost you more money overall.

The Work

Next, consider what the work you’re doing is like. If you can feasibly complete a number of different tasks with only one machine and a host of compatible attachments, then buying an excavator means getting a multitool of sorts. 

However, if you have a host of jobs that require different sizes, types, and specs of heavy equipment to complete, then renting an excavator to fill a temporary gap in your tool collection may be better.

The Frequency Of Use

Like we mentioned before, how often you use the excavator factors into this decision big-time. If you find yourself using an excavator over and over again over a long period of time, it will be more cost-effective to buy your own. If you only need it every so often, renting an excavator when the need arises is simpler and cheaper.

The Availability

You should also consider how available an excavator is with each option. If you’re renting one, you only have a limited selection and can’t really work around that. In a worst-case scenario, you may end up having to delay a project until a suitable excavator becomes available. Meanwhile, buying one means selecting from a larger pool of available machines straight from the dealer’s lot, and you’ll always have it handy if you need it again.

We hope this guide makes it easier for you to decide between the two options! If you have any questions, or you’re just ready to browse through the excavators we have available, contact us at Burrows Tractor. We proudly serve the people of Oregon and Washington State—let us serve you today!