Type of Excavators

Excavators are one of the most versatile and widely used heavy construction machines. They are used for a variety of applications ranging from digging and grading to demolition and material handling. Excavators come in different types, sizes, and purposes, each designed to perform a specific task. In this article, we will explain the different excavator types, sizes, and purposes to help you choose the right one for your construction needs.

What is an Excavator?

An excavator is a piece of heavy equipment used to move large amounts of soil, gravel, and rock. Using an excavator can save you time, money, and effort. An excavator will help you move things from one place to another quickly and easily. It also keeps your back from physical strain.

Excavators are great if you need to clear trees or shrubs on your property or if there’s construction happening nearby; this way, nothing gets damaged by falling branches or other pieces of debris in the area where workers are working hard every day, trying their best not be distracted by anything else around them besides what needs to be done at hand.

An excavator has several key components:

• Boom: This is the angled arm that attaches directly to the excavator body. Knuckle booms can move in line with the machine laterally, while the standard boom can only move vertically.

• Dipper: Also called the stick, the dipper is the arm that extends from the boom and connects to the bucket or other attachment.

• Bucket: The bucket attaches to the end of the dipper. You can switch it out with other attachments whenever you need to use the machine for another application.

• Cab: The cab is the enclosed area that contains the machine controls and a space for the operator.

• Rotating house: The house contains the cab, engine, fuel tank, hydraulic tank and counterweights. Many excavator houses can rotate a full 360 degrees, which provides the operator with a high degree of mobility.

A wide variety of attachments are available for excavators, which allows you to take on different jobs. For example, you could swap the bucket for an auger for drilling operations or a rake for land-clearing projects. Explore more excavator accessories.

Different Types of Excavators

HBXG offers different types of excavators. Find one that suits your needs and budget.

Basic Type:

1. Standard or Crawler Excavator

Standard excavators, also known as crawler excavators, use a boom, stick and bucket arm attachment at the front of the equipment. These excavators are designed to handle the bulk of the work and are often used in heavy-duty construction, mining, farming, landscaping and other industries.

The bucket arm attachment extends to dig through soil or other materials and retracts to lift materials. The cab is capable of rotating 360 degrees, making it easier to dig and dump different materials. These excavators use rotating tracks to provide traction and stability, which allows them to navigate steep slopes or rugged terrain. Standard excavators also have tracks that exert less ground pressure, making them a popular option for various jobs.

You can choose from different excavator sizes to suit your applications, whether you need a machine that can fit into higher spaces or something that works in heavy-duty situations. You can also choose from different bucket sizes to help you complete other tasks at your worksite, such as moving debris or materials, demolition, trenching and hauling.

Pros: Provide greater balance and stability on uneven ground

Cons: Slower than some other excavators

2. Wheeled Excavators

Wheeled excavators are similar in size and appearance to crawlers but run on wheels instead of tracks. Replacing tracks with wheels makes them faster and easier to maneuver on concrete, asphalt and other flat surfaces while still offering the same power capabilities.

Because wheels offer less stability on uneven ground than tracks, wheeled excavators are commonly used for roadwork and urban projects. However, operators can add outriggers to increase stability when transitioning between asphalt or concrete and an uneven surface.

Pros: Fast and easy to maneuver on flat surfaces

Cons: Perform poorly on uneven terrain

⇒ Impact Of Wheel Excavator's Tire Tread On Equipment Use

⇒ Precautions Of Wheel Excavator

3. Long Reach Excavators

As its name suggests, a long reach excavator features a lengthier arm and boom sections. The design allows for better operation in hard-to-reach locations. The excavator’s extendable arm can reach over 100 feet horizontally.

These excavators are best used for demolition projects like structural crumbling and breaking down walls over bodies of water. Different attachments can be affixed to the arm to perform additional jobs such as shearing, crushing and cutting.

Pros: Longer boom is ideal for hard-to-reach locations and demolition projects

Cons: Difficult to use in tight spaces

4. Mini Excavators

A mini excavator is a crawler or wheeled excavator with an operating weight ranging from 0.7 to 6 tonnes. This is one another general purpose excavator, with the equal level of performance and usage but a short swing radius superstructure, which offers many benefits in urban and confined areas. There are two types of Mini excavators, one with conventional tail swing whose house will extend beyond the tracks through the complete rotation, while the another one with zero tail swing whose house diameter stays within the tracks width through the complete rotation. The boom swing operation of mini excavator is one of the important features for operator to dig alongside obstacles with lesser restrictions and better visibility. Mini Excavator in India getting popular as it can perform work that is traditionally done by using manpower.

Pros: Easily fits into tight spaces and can be used indoors

Cons: Can only handle smaller loads

⇒ Small Excavator Safe Driving Tips

⇒ Small Excavator Correct Operation Precautions

⇒ The Unique Characteristics Of Small Agricultural Excavators

⇒ Tips For Buying, Operating And Maintaining a Thumb Attachment For a Mini Excavator

5. Dragline Excavators

The dragline excavator is a larger excavator that operates with a different process. The equipment utilizes a hoist rope system that attaches to a bucket via a hoist coupler. The other side of the bucket is affixed to a dragline that runs from the bucket to the cab. The hoist rope raises and lowers the bucket while the dragline pulls the bucket toward the driver.

Due to their weight, draglines are often assembled on-site. The unique system of this type of excavator is commonly used in large-scale civil engineering projects like canal dreading. Request a quote.

Pros: Dragline system is ideal for underwater excavating and canal dreading

Cons: Weight and size make it impractical for smaller jobs

6. Hydraulic Shovels

Hydraulic shovels are heavy-duty and designed for very extreme lifting and digging jobs. They are typically found in mining jobs and have much larger lifting arms and buckets than do standard and other types of excavators. They can haul large rocks, soil, and other materials that are too heavy for other types of machines. Hydraulic shovels are similar to standard excavators in that they have a boom/stick/bucket assembly located at the front of the excavator, but they can also be affixed at the back of the excavator. They also have a cab assembly that can rotate 360 degrees which is consistent with most other types of excavators.

While there are many different types of excavators, they each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Factors such as size, maneuverability, versatility, and brand will likely play a part in your decision-making. HBXG offers reliable, affordable excavators and equipment and excellent service. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Size Categories:

The right size for your operation will depend on your power needs. More demanding jobs will require larger excavators because they can generate more power. Smaller, more delicate jobs need less power, so compact machines are the better choice.

• Mini: Mini or compact excavators are the lightest and most mobile excavators available, making them the perfect choice for landscaping and urban operations. They can weigh anywhere from 2,000 pounds to just below 10 tons (20,000 pounds). Due to their lightweight frame and compact size, mini excavators leave a smaller footprint than models in other categories.

• Small: Small excavators weigh anywhere from 11 to 18 tons. They’re useful for light projects where you need a little more power than what a mini excavator can provide.

• Medium: Excavators that weigh between 20 tons to 35 tons fall into the medium-size category. Medium excavators are the most common type you’ll see, especially on construction sites. They come with high power demands, but that’s what allows them to have mighty digging capabilities.

• Large: These colossal machines weigh 36-90 tons. Due to their enormous size, they’re rarely used in uneven or urban environments. However, they provide high amounts of consistent power for intense lifting and bulk earthmoving projects. They’re also quite fuel-efficient, which can help you stay within budget even on large-scale projects.

In addition to the size categories, there are also various configuration categories that excavators can fit into, including:

• Crawler: Crawlers run on a chain track system that provides stability for safe work on uneven ground. These high-power machines are most useful for mining, road grading and landscaping.

• Wheeled: Excavators that have wheels instead of tracks are well-suited to city jobs because wheels tend to do less damage to roads and sidewalks.

• Backhoe: The backhoe is the essential excavator. It’s small and lightweight, making it an excellent choice for many different applications. The backhoe uses a pulling, backward-scooping motion to dig and remove material from the ground. Using a backhoe, you can transport soil, dig trenches and even uproot trees.

• Suction: A suction excavator uses high-pressure vacuums and water jets to clear away dirt and debris. You’ll typically use them for delicate projects, including underground jobs and debris cleanup.

• Dragline: These enormous excavators clear large swaths of earth by using a hoist rope and line system. They’re most useful for pile driving, road excavating and underwater applications.

• Long reach: The arm on a long reach excavator can reach up to 100 feet with attachments. It’s useful for riskier operations where the operator needs to be at a distance, like industrial demolition and heavy-duty digging.

• Demolition: Excavators designed explicitly for demolition and above-ground excavation provide high performance and efficient fuel consumption to power your operation.

• Power shovel: Power shovel excavators are equipped with a crane arm and a counterweighted bucket, which gives them excellent stability. They use a forward-scooping motion to dig, providing immense power to clear earth or remove debris.

The specific configurations and sizes available to you depend on your manufacturer. Additionally, you can use your excavator for many different applications by swapping out your attachments. Browse our online collection of HBXG excavators, and feel free to contact us with any questions. We offer a variety of models, so you can count on us to provide you with the right machine for your next project.

What Is an Excavator Used For?

As we mentioned, excavators come in handy for many situations. Some common applications include:

• Landscaping: Thanks to their small size, mini excavators are especially useful for landscaping applications like breaking concrete, planting and uprooting trees and shrubs, building paths and even placing fence posts.

• Demolition: Excavators are extremely common on demo projects because they’re tough and efficient. You can use them for tearing down walls and clearing debris from a safe distance.

• Mining: Excavators are essential tools in mining operations because they clear soil from shafts and make it easy to extract the desired materials.

• Construction: You’ll see an excavator on almost every construction site. These capable machines allow you to dig trenches and foundations easily, making them a staple piece of equipment in the construction industry.

• Material handling: The 360-degree rotation capacity of an excavator makes it excellent for lifting and moving building materials on any site.

• River dredging: Powerful dragline excavators are excellent choices for clearing silt and sediment from the bottoms of large bodies of water.

⇒ Several Working Environments of Excavator

For more information on the various types of excavators used to put in the work on demolition projects, contact us today. As a leading commercial building and industrial equipment manufacturer, we pride ourselves in using the right equipment to get the job done – on time and on budget, and safely. Contact us today for more information.

How to Choose the Right Excavator?

There are many options for excavator types and sizes, and choosing the right excavator depends on numerous factors. You’ll want to find an excavator that has enough power and strength to efficiently complete different tasks at your job site while lowering operating costs. As the leading heavy equipment manufacturer for construction and mining, HBXG offers various excavator sizes and types for any application.

If you rent an excavator for a single project, evaluate the requirements and work site when choosing your excavator. If you are purchasing an excavator for long-term use, consider the types of projects your company typically takes on. Choose an excavator that will meet your standard job requirements and perform well on the sites where you most often work. To make the most of your investment, look for an excavator that can keep up with your company’s growth in the future.

Consider these factors when determining what size excavator you need.

1. Work Site Layout

First, consider the size and layout of your job site. Will you work in a small area with tight spaces and obstacles to navigate or enjoy a wide-open plot of land with no interferences?

If you work in a small space or on a site with many hazards, a compact mini excavator may be the right choice. A smaller excavator may also be a wise choice if your job site has a lot of underground obstacles, such as pipes and gas lines. Mini and small excavators will have smaller buckets and more precise controls to safely avoid underground hazards while excavating efficiently.

If your job site has more maneuverable space, you can use a standard or large excavator comfortably. However, remember to account for future hazards that may appear as your construction project progresses.

The tail swing of an excavator also impacts how easily it can navigate in tight spaces. Larger excavators typically have a larger tail swing, requiring more counterweight to remain balanced. This rear extension can pose problems when working near walls or buildings and harm workers if not operated safely.

Many mini and small excavators offer zero or near-zero tail swing, so they can rotate safely without damaging surrounding trees or structures. Excavators with zero tail swing are popular for urban or residential work sites. However, excavators with zero tail swing typically have a larger footprint and tracks that are wider apart to provide stability while turning.

2. Work Site Terrain

Different types of excavators work better on various terrains. Tracked excavators offer excellent traction and stability on hilly and soft ground, while wheeled excavators work best on hard and flat surfaces. However, the weight of an excavator also impacts how well it performs on specific terrain.

Large and standard excavators can exert a lot of pressure and tear up a job site if the ground is weak. For some jobs, this may not be an issue if the earth gets leveled later in the construction project. However, working on a finished site, such as a backyard or other residential space, requires greater care to prevent damage to the terrain. Mini excavators are safe to use on finished sites without harming the ground.

When considering the weight of an excavator, account for the maximum operating weight rather than how much the machine weighs alone. The operating weight will include the weight of the excavator operator and the load the equipment will haul.

3. Project Requirements

After accounting for your work site conditions, consider the typical tasks your excavator will need to perform. You should pick an excavator size that can handle your digging, lifting and hauling needs without struggle or sacrificing efficiency. If purchasing an excavator for long-term use, look at the requirements of past projects to get a sense of your future needs. Account for any potential growth, and choose an excavator that will suit your company’s needs for years to come.

Here are a few project requirements to consider when choosing the right excavator size.

• Dig depth: Consider the maximum digging depth your projects require for laying pipes, planting trees or digging trenches. Make sure your excavator can achieve this dig depth, or you can upgrade it with a longer boom to reach the depths you need.

• Reach: The reach of your excavator’s boom will determine how far your equipment can dig without moving. A longer reach can slow the excavation cycle time but may be desirable for projects where accessibility is challenging. You can also upgrade some excavators with longer booms to extend their reach.

• Lift height: If your projects require loading materials onto structures or into massive trucks, choose an excavator with sufficient lift height.

• Load capacity: Excavator load capacities vary based on the type of excavator you choose but can range from less than a cubic yard to several cubic yards. The load capacity will determine the amount of material your operators can move in a single cycle, directly impacting operating speeds. You’ll want to find an excavator with the proper application load capacity.

• Load weight: Consider how much weight your excavator will need to lift besides material volume. If you often excavate heavy or dense materials, ensure your excavator can withstand the load weight necessary to meet your project’s demands.

An excavator that’s the right size will be able to meet all your project requirements while safely maneuvering around your job site. If an excavator cannot match your job needs, consider upgrading it with a new boom or bucket to extend its capabilities.

4. Transportation and Storage

Another important consideration when choosing between the different sizes of excavators is each size’s transportation and storage requirements.

Transportation of large and standard excavators can be expensive, requiring special permits and equipment. If you plan to transport your excavators on your own, ensure you have the vehicles and trailers to do the job and drivers with the required licenses for moving heavy equipment. You may also work with an equipment transportation company to reduce the transportation costs of carrying your large excavators. Standard-sized trailers can move mini excavators, but depending on your state, you may still require special permits or licenses.

If you plan to purchase an excavator for long-term use, ensure you have the appropriate storage facilities for the size of the excavator you choose. You can also rent a storage space during the offseason to cut expenses. For infrequent use, renting an excavator instead of buying one may help you save money on storage and transportation costs.

If you are looking for a reliable, efficient and powerful excavator, look no further than HBXG. We offer various mini, standard and large excavator models to meet and exceed your project requirements.