Excavator Attachments: Reducing Environmental Impact

The continued trend in construction to re-imagine manual power tools by connecting them to an excavator’s hydraulic system has opened up a whole new world of possibilities: this has led to an extended range of excavator attachments becoming widely available and Groundforce Attachments are

The continued trend in construction to re-imagine manual power tools by connecting them to an excavator’s hydraulic system has opened up a whole new world of possibilities: this has led to an extended range of excavator attachments becoming widely available and Groundforce are leading players in Ireland’s  supply chain.

Increased activity in construction, together with an inevitable increase in waste, may lead one to assume that the use of powerful excavator attachments would merely add to an already spiralling environmental crisis: but it does not automatically follow that these high powered machines are necessarily adding to the problem.

A positive impact on noise pollution and human resources

Efficiency and cost effectiveness are keywords when describing excavator attachments due to their wider capability and high power. Attachments speed up on-site tasks when compared to traditional manual methods; this benefits the environment due to the time reduction and better, safer use of human resources. Because excavator attachments are more powerful than their distant manual cousins, it could be assumed that they will have a negative impact the environment, however built-in contemporary design features mean they run more quietly and economically, therefore getting the job done faster with less disturbance, especially important when operating in domestic locations.

Demolition and the environment

The amount of waste produced as a result of construction work and demolition amounted to 180 million tonnes in 2007 according the EU Environment General Directive. Although there is a need to manage this waste more effectively, it also follows that there is a need to mitigate the amount of waste produced in the first place.

The use of Multi Processors and Hydraulic Breakers allow for a much more precise method of demolition than was previously possible. For example, Multi Processors can be adapted to separate reinforcing bar from concrete, or can slice effortlessly through I beams and steel tanks etc. This means rather than wholesale destruction of buildings and structures, operators can concentrate specifically on particular sections. In addition, interchangeable jaw sets and tooling means materials such as reinforced concrete and steel on structures can be individually targeted.

When we consider that that demolition waste has an extremely high recycling potential, it is clear that minimalising the initial production of waste during the demolition process can only help in the quest for sustainable construction.

Recycling and re-use of materials

The environmental standard ISO 14001 states: ‘By managing the use of natural resources, energy and waste you can improve your corporate image and credibility…’

Successful tenders increasingly result from a company’s attitude to environmental management, with customers expecting and insisting on the highest of standards of environmental awareness. Waste management plays a key role in this area and recycling should begin its journey during the initial construction or demolition stage and Groundforce Ireland supply a number of attachments that can help to make this happen.

Using tools such as Hydraulic Breakers, allow for different categories of materials, such as steel or concrete to be collectively stored for further processing. Depending on the waste product, other excavator attachments such as Selector Grabs or Digging and Rehandling Clamshells can then process and move huge volumes of material with ease.

Hydraulic Magnet attachments combine excavator mobility with hydraulic power and are ideal for any situation that requires steel recycling such as in scrapyards and during infrastructure works. Groundforce Ireland supply magnets with lifting surfaces between 720mm and 1450 diameter and with a lifting capacity ranging from 80 to over half a tonne. These high powered magnets make transportation more efficient, meaning fewer movements and in turn less energy consumption in the overall process.

Carbon reduction and market forces

It is clear that market pressures and the obligation to protect our environment by reducing carbon footprint and the efficient handling and recycling of waste is paramount. Throughout Ireland, Groundforce supply a growing portfolio of excavator attachments to help safely complete projects and are committed to prioritising the environment as a central focus.