Types of Excavators and Their Applications

Excavators are heavy-duty machinery used for construction, farming, and landscaping work. These versatile machines are the most sought-after ones, especially in the construction industry. They are built up of three main components. These components are the house, boom, arm assembly, and undercarriage of an excavator. Excavators come in different sizes and designs that are specific to the particular job. You can select the right excavator for your work based on your needs.   

Excavators are used for construction works like trenching, digging, and earthmoving. These machines can perform such operations much more effectively in comparison to the other heavy equipment. This article shares different types of excavators along with their applications that are available in the market. 

Different Types of Excavators

There are many types of excavators in the market that a construction company can buy or rent to complete their project. A few common types of excavators are explained below.

• Crawler

Crawler excavators are best for construction operations like mining and trench digging. They use hydraulic power mechanisms for performing tasks. They are called crawlers because they crawl on the surface using tracks to perform an operation. Crawler excavators for sale can be helpful for rough or muddy surfaces. They can balance better on such hilly areas and uneven landscapes with the help of their tracks.

• Wheeled

Wheeled excavators operate much faster than crawler excavators. These excavators use wheels instead of tracks to perform any construction job. Wheeled excavators can maneuver on asphalt, concrete, and other full surfaces. Construction companies prefer these machines for urban and roadwork projects.   

• Mini

Mini excavators are crawler excavators but in small size and lightweight. These machines can operate up to 6 tons. These excavators are best suited for compact areas where frequent movement is needed. Using their compact structure, mini excavators can move through tight pathways. These machines have low ground clearance which prevents them from getting stuck on uneven surfaces. Mini excavators can perform indoor activities with ease.

• Vacuum

Vacuum excavators are used for underground construction applications. These excavators use a suction pipe to give power, that’s why they are also referred to as suction excavators. These excavators can suck soil and debris at a fast speed of more than 300 kmh. These machines are used by construction companies on projects where they need precise excavation. 

• Dragline

Dragline excavators are bigger in size compared to crawler excavators. These excavators operate using a hoist rope mechanism and a dragline. Dragline excavators are suitable for underwater applications as they can dig more than 200 feet. They are also used for deep excavation, harbor construction, and underwater construction operations.

• Long reach

Long-reach excavators are best suited for demolition projects. These excavators have a long arm and boom arrangement that allows these machines to reach hard-to-reach areas much more effectively compared to others. The extendable arm of a long-reach excavator can cover 100 feet on a horizontal surface. With the addition of different attachments to the arm of your excavator, you can perform various construction operations like crushing and shearing. 

• Power Shovel

Power shovels also known as hydraulic shovels are suitable for heavy digging tasks. These excavators are very powerful machines and can help you in any construction operation where you need to lift or haul bigger rocks, minerals, and other heavy-weight objects. Power shovels have a large bucket that enables you to move large quantities of material from one point to another.

• Backhoes

Backhoes are used in construction projects for digging and lifting. They can be helpful to perform many jobs in a construction project. These machines are also called backhoe loaders as they can be used to move heavy materials. Backhoes can be helpful in removing dirt or debris from the construction area. These machines can be helpful in landscaping projects for moving material from one place to another without damaging the field.

Excavators are utility machines and can perform multiple operations in a construction project. There are several other specialized excavators out there in the market that are used for specific construction jobs. This article covers different types of excavators along with their uses that you can use for completing your construction project. You can learn more about these excavators by viewing their manuals. Make sure whenever you decide to buy an excavator, select the one that perfectly suits your needs.