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Comfort in the Cab
How far you go in equipping your compact excavators with creature comforts depends on regional differences, preferences
1. Some compact excavators use a two-post ROPS canopy, which provides the operator with excellent visibility and a bit more room than an enclosed-cab unit.
2. For their part, enclosed cabs protect operators from the elements of weather, noise and dust. In some parts of the country, they are a must.
3. Suspension seats go a long way toward making larger, North American operators comfortable during operation.
4. Cabs on some of today's compact excavators tilt forward for easy access to service points.
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In their continuing quest to make equipment more comfortable for operators, manufacturers are incorporating more and more comfort features to their compact excavator models. And while this development has a direct impact on end-users, how much does it affect the way you do business?
"Offering the operator a comfortable environment lessens fatigue and stress," says Drew Kohler, marketing manager for MMD Equipment. "Think about when you sit in a chair. If you had to choose to either sit on a piece of steel for eight to 12 hours while being exposed to the elements of weather, or sit comfortably on a reclining suspension seat with room enough to stretch your legs while being surrounded with air conditioning and having a place to hold your favorite beverage, which would you choose?"
When put in those terms, it's hard to deny the benefits of features such as suspension seats, air conditioning and cup holders. Traditionally, however, rental businesses have been slow to embrace such creature comforts, often due to the perception that they increase the cost of the machine and customers who rent don't expect a "Cadillac" anyway.
The truth is, many of the "bells and whistles" of yesterday are standard equipment today, largely because end users have come to expect a certain level of comfort from their machines. To keep you up to date on what today's compact excavators have to offer your customers, we've asked manufacturers what features are most appreciated by operators.
Gimme shelter
Many compact excavators offer a choice between an open environment supplied by a two-post ROPS (Roll Over Protective Structure) canopy and a fully enclosed cab with heat and air conditioning.
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