Heavy Machinery
An excavator is a crucial piece of heavy machinery utilised in numerous construction projects. Often referred to as diggers, excavators are employed for a wide range of tasks such as material handling, landscaping, demolition, mining projects, river dredging, and construction.
The structure of an excavator comprises a boom, a dipper (or stick), and a bucket, all connected to a cab that sits on a rotating platform. This design enables the excavator to rotate a full 360 degrees. Excavators can be equipped with either tracks or wheels, depending on the manufacturer and the intended use of the machine.
Excavators come in various sizes, with some weighing up to 82,000 kg. They can also be fitted with numerous attachments, which usually replace the digging bucket, enabling the excavator to perform a variety of tasks. By attaching tools such as an auger, drill, ripper, or rake, the excavator becomes a versatile piece of equipment.
Choosing the right excavator for a construction project requires careful planning. The role an excavator will play on the construction site is largely determined by the type of excavator selected for the job.
There are six main types of excavators: Crawler, Dragline, Suction, Skid steer, Long Reach, Mini Excavator, and Wheeled Excavator.
-
Crawler Excavators (Caterpillar): These are commonly used for mining, trench digging, and landscape grading. They are the most recognised type of excavator worldwide.
-
Dragline Excavators (Komatsu): These large excavators use a hoist rope and dragline system for underwater earthmoving projects, pile driving, and road excavations.
-
Suction Excavators (Volvo): These use water jets and high-pressure vacuums to clear dirt, soil, and land debris. They are operated from a wheeled vehicle and used for underground purposes.
-
Skid Steer Excavators (John Deere): These small excavators with buckets for scooping are used for residential projects and small construction tasks.
-
Long Reach Excavators (Hitachi): The arms of these excavators extend up to 100 feet. They are used for heavy-duty digging and industrial construction projects.
-
Mini Excavators (Kubota): These are smaller versions of crawler excavators, often used in narrow job sites and sites with delicate landscapes.
-
Wheeled Excavators (JCB): These are regular excavators fitted on wheels, not tracks. They are mostly used in city projects.
Each of these types of excavators is designed to perform specific tasks, and the selection should be based on the requirements of the construction project.