The construction industry is seeing the beginnings of change. Electrical equipment is starting to gain traction in many parts of the world. While worldwide transition may be slow, the benefits of electric equipment will loom large in the future.

Many cities around the world already have regulations in place that will limit or ban the use of diesel-powered cars in the coming years. And now some cities are eyeing similar regulations to reduce the use of diesel-powered construction equipment. In Oslo, Norway, for example, a new procurement strategy has led to nearly zero-emissions building sites.

However, contractors shouldn’t only consider a shift to using electric equipment as a matter of compliance. Electric equipment can deliver many on-the-job benefits — from quieter and safer work sites, to enhanced equipment performance.

The value that each contractor can realize from electric equipment will depend on their unique business challenges and job site requirements. But there are some common benefits that every contractor can expect to gain from using electric equipment.

Reduced fumes

Traditional diesel-powered auger boring machines generate exhaust and diesel fumes. And because the machines are typically used in subsurface environments, these fumes can create health and safety concerns for workers.

In some jobs, a contractor may need to limit the amount of time operators can spend underground because of exposure to fumes. In addition, the contractor may need to use special equipment to monitor air quality and cycle fresh air down to the pit. Of course, this can slow down work and add extra costs and logistics to a project. 

An electric auger boring machine has no emissions. It allows crews to do their jobs without worrying about breathing in fumes or having to step away from the job site for health reasons. An electric option also saves costs by reducing the need for air-monitoring or circulation equipment.

Quieter job sites

The loud whir of equipment is a mainstay on any construction site, and it’s too often a factor that limits when a contractor can work. That’s because many cities have noise ordinances in place that only allow crews to run their equipment during certain hours of the day.

Electric auger boring machines are significantly quieter than their diesel-powered counterparts, allowing contractors to work longer on job sites, with less risk of violating ordinances.

This was the case for Swedish contractor Riggtech. The company needed to complete a 36-meter bore as part of a storm sewer installation in the city of Gothenburg, Sweden. Local laws required that construction crews keep noise levels down. Using an electric auger boring machine, Riggtech was able to complete the job while still meeting the city’s noise ordinances.

Greater visibility

One of the biggest benefits operators have with an electric auger boring machine is the ability to step off the machine and control it from somewhere else.

With wireless remote control, operators can get off the rig or even out of the pit to operate the machine. This can give them more freedom of movement and better visibility through all machine operations.

The future is electric

From North America to Europe, early adopters of the industry’s first available electric auger boring machines are discovering how the machines can reduce their jobsite emissions and improve their operations. Today, that can be a competitive differentiator in the marketplace. Tomorrow, it will be the table stakes for doing business.

American Augers Inc. manufactures underground construction equipment. The company provides auger boring machines, maxi-rig and mid-size directional drills, oil and gas drilling rigs, mud pump and cleaning systems as well as product tooling and accessories.

800-324-4930 | www.americanaugers.com