Excavators are heavy-duty construction machines used primarily for digging, earthmoving, and material handling. They are also known as diggers and typically feature a long hydraulic arm called a boom, a digging bucket, and an operator’s cab mounted on a rotating platform. They are essential workhorses in construction and landscaping projects.
If you have been searching for excavators for your construction needs, these five types can help you choose the right one. This informative guide outlines the most popular types of excavators available on the market.
1. Crawler Excavators
Crawler excavators, as the name implies, crawl on two large, endless tracks and are well-suited for mining and heavy-duty construction jobs. These excavators are also known as compact excavators because they use hydraulic systems to lift heavy debris and soil.
Their chain wheel system provides greater balance and stability on level ground. They can easily slide down and scale hills with less risk, making them ideal for grading hilly areas and landscaping uneven surfaces.
However, the crawler excavator is slower than other excavators due to the track system, but it offers the utmost balance, flexibility, and stability overall.
2. Wheeled Excavators
The main difference between wheeled and crawler excavators is that wheeled excavators run on wheels rather than tracks. These two excavators are similar in size and appearance, but wheeled excavators are quick and easy to maneuver on flat surfaces. They work especially well with concrete, asphalt, and other flat surfaces.
These excavators are commonly used for roadwork and urban projects, but they are unstable on uneven ground. However, operators can add outriggers or beams to enhance stability when there are tensions between asphalt or concrete and uneven surfaces.
3. Long Reach Excavators
A long-reach excavator, as its name indicates, has a long arm and boom. This makes it a better option in hard-to-reach locations, as it can reach up to 100 feet horizontally. These excavators are best for demolition projects, including structural climbing and breaking down walls over bodies of water.
Furthermore, the operator can attach various attachments to the arm to perform additional tasks such as crushing, cutting, and shearing.
4. Suction Excavators
Suction excavators are also known as vacuum excavators because they feature a suction pipe capable of delivering up to 400 horsepower. They work by releasing a water jet to loosen the material. Then the pipe with sharp teeth creates a vacuum that carries away soil and debris at up to 200 miles per hour.
These excavators are perfect for delicate underground applications because they can reduce the chance of damage by more than 50 percent.
5. Mini Excavators
Mini excavators, as the name suggests, are the lighter version of the standard excavator, designed to minimize ground damage and fit through crowded, narrow sites and indoor spaces. These excavators feature reduced or zero tail swing, maneuverability, and the ability to avoid contact with obstacles.
The use of mini excavators has been on the rise among most contractors due to their ability to fit into tight spaces and be used for indoor projects.