Excavators are handy pieces of machinery that can be used for construction, mining or landscaping purposes, and though they’re primarily known for digging or land removal, excavators can actually do much more than just that.
In fact, there are actually five common types of excavator, with some serving a completely different purpose than others. If you’re about to embark on a new job and are searching for the right equipment, then take a look at the five most common types of excavator and their uses below:
Crawler Excavators
Most likely to be seen in construction and mining jobs, crawler excavators consist of a tank-like chassis that runs on two endless tracks, as opposed to wheels. This chain-wheel system allows them to ascend and descend hills more easily, so if you’re working in an area that is hilly or uneven, then a crawler excavator could be the man for the job.
Also known as compact excavators, they’re commonly used for lifting heavy debris and soil, making them perfect for any heavy-duty construction jobs.
If you’re using a crawler excavator, it’s a good idea to take advantage of a plant and equipment hire service so that you’re guaranteed to get the best quality equipment. Total Plant Hire offer an extensive range of regularly serviced, late model excavators that are given a full service and safety check before they arrive at your workplace. When renting, you don’t have to worry about maintenance costs or the upfront fee that comes with buying your own equipment.
Dragline Excavators
This type of excavator uses a unique hoist rope and dragline system that raises and lowers the bucket, as well as running it to and from the cab. They’re most commonly used for large scale civil engineering projects such as underwater operations like canal dredging, as well as certain road excavations.
Skid Steer Excavators
Skid Steer Excavators are different from the standard machinery, as they have wheels instead of tracks. They often have booms and buckets that reach over the cab instead of around it, which makes them great for use in more confined areas.
They’re commonly used in residential projects like digging, site cleaning and debris removal.
Suction Excavators
Known also as vacuum excavators, suction excavators are wheeled vehicles with high pressure vacuum and water jets used for delicate underground operations.
The excavator sends down a jet of water to loosen the ground, before creating a vacuum that carries away soil and debris up to 200 miles per hour.
Long Reach Excavators
Ideal for industrial demolitions and heavy-duty digging projects, this excavator features a 40 to 100 feet extendable arm, allowing for a smoother operation in hard-to-reach areas. The arm can be replaced with additional attachments such as cutting, crushing and shearing.
Extra Attachments
Excavators can come with a number of different attachments depending on the job at hand. This is a great benefit because it means that you don’t have to bring in a different piece of machinery for each job. These attachments include buckets, clamps, augers, breakers and couplers, and can be alternated throughout a project if needed.
