How does an excavator work

There are many different mini excavator attachments out there. Renting a specialized attachment can make your machine function more efficiently and work smoother for specific jobs. While there are 10 more popular types of excavator attachments - both for mini excavators and standard machines - you can pretty much rent the attachment that works best for the job you're doing.

The traditional excavator is fitted with a bucket that digs toward the cab and machine. However, this type of digging arm can have a thumb attachment instead which makes it easier to lift and move materials. There are also several types of buckets that can be attached to an excavator.

A rock bucket and a V bucket are two bucket types that can be attached to an excavator. A rock bucket looks similar to a digging bucket but with longer sharper teeth and a narrow V-shaped edge for cutting. The reinforced structural parts of a rock bucket give it the ability to break through hard rock while still maintaining structural integrity. The V bucket simplifies the task of digging trenches and is useful for laying utility cables and pipes. 

Excavators can also be fitted with an auger attachment for digging holes, hammers for breaking up hard concrete and rock, rippers, compactors, rakes, and many other different kinds of tools. All of these attachments help to make the excavator a true multipurpose equipment type.

There are many different manufacturers to consider when looking to buy or rent an excavator. Most companies make different sizes and models of excavators to accommodate projects of all sizes and natures.

A variety of excavators are available for rent through DOZR. There are options to search for excavators ranging from 18 tons to 80 tons as well as high-reach excavators, long-reach excavators, and wheeled excavators for rent. The following is a look at some more popular brands of excavator manufacturers.

Caterpillar – also called CAT – was founded in 1925 when C. L. Best Tractor Company joined with Holt Manufacturing Company – the same Holt family responsible for the continual-track system. Caterpillar is one of the most recognized brands of heavy equipment and machinery and is one of the largest heavy equipment manufacturing companies in the world. Caterpillar introduced a series of excavators – called the 200 series – in 1972.

Now, caterpillar excavators feature fuel-efficient engines and the latest safety tech and are designed with productivity in mind. CAT excavators are some of the best-performing earthmoving machines on the market, making them very popular equipment rentals. Their largest excavator is the 395 - Tier 4 model weighing in at 207,300 lbs, just over 100 tons, with a dig depth of 32 feet.

It was 1832 in Eskilstuna, Sweden when 27-year-old Johan Theofron Munktell prepared the foundations for the company Volvo Construction Equipment. Today, Volvo excavators continue to push the boundaries of earthmoving and digging equipment. In 2019, Volvo CE announced the goal of launching a range of electric compact excavators and wheel loaders by mid-2020. 

Volvo's line of excavators includes larger crawler excavators, medium crawler excavators, medium-wheeled excavators, and compact, or short-swing, excavators. Volvo is most well-known for its wheeled excavators. Volvo's largest excavator is the EC950F weighing in close to 210,000 lbs or 105 tons with a maximum dig depth of just under 30 feet.

Komatsu was established in 1917 in Japan and established in North America later on in 1970. Their introduction to the American market for hydraulic excavators happened with their H-Series in the 1960s, a little before they truly established themselves in America. 

Manufacturing all sizes of excavation machinery, Komatsu excavators are for all kinds of projects. With mid-size excavators, large excavators, and surface mining excavators, you're sure to find a Komatsu excavator that will be right for the job. The largest Komatsu excavator is the PC1250LC-11 with an operating weight of 270,000 lbs, a reach of up to 56 feet, and a dig depth of 38 feet.

John Deere established his company – named after himself – in 1837. In 1969 the first John Deere excavator, the JD690, was introduced. Now, they make over 20 different kinds of excavators ranging in size, weight, and horsepower.  

John Deere's largest excavator, the 870 P-Tier, allows for almost 37 feet of dig depth and weighs over 188,000 lbs. John Deere also manufactures compact excavators, another name for mini-excavators, mid-size excavators, and other large excavators.

Established in the early 1900s in Japan, Hitachi didn't start manufacturing construction equipment until the 1950s. Since then, Hitachi has become an innovator in heavy machinery and their excavators are no exception. Currently, Hitachi has 37 excavators on the market.

Hitachi excavators include all sizes of excavators ranging from their smallest non-mini excavator model, the ZX160LC-6, to their biggest excavator, the ZX890LC-6. These models have operating weights and dig depths of 39,000 lbs and 21 feet, and 186,511 lbs and 31 feet, respectively. Hitachi also manufactures mining excavators and mini excavators.

Hyundai

Founded in South Korea in 1985, Hyundai built their first excavators in 1988, a 21-ton excavator and a 29-ton excavator. Now, the portfolio of Hyundai excavators includes 16 current models and 28 previous models. The smallest Hyundai excavator model currently, outside of their compact excavators, is the HX130A LCR with an operating weight of just under 15 tons. Their largest excavator is the HX900L with an operating weight of 103 tons.

Doosan

Creating its construction division in 1977, Doosan has been producing excavators since 1978. However, it wasn't until 1994 that Doosan excavators came to America. Doosan currently manufactures crawler excavators, wheeled excavators, and mini excavators. Between the crawler excavators and wheeled excavators, they have 18 products.

The smallest crawler Doosan makes is the DX140LC-7 with an operating weight of 16 tonnes (32,187 lbs) and a dig depth of just over 19 feet. The biggest Doosan excavator is the DX800LC-7 with an operating weight of 90 tonnes and a dig depth of over 27 feet.

Potential Hazards & Safety Protocols for Excavators

Operating any kind of heavy equipment could pose a safety hazard. It is important to always be careful and to only operate heavy equipment and digging machinery like excavators after receiving proper training. Being consistent and following safety protocols can help keep all excavation operations safe. Here are some ways to stay safe while operating an excavator:

• Never dig under structures like sidewalks without proper support systems

• Wear a hardhat, safety vest, ear protection, and protection 

• Never dig underneath an excavator

• Maintain the cab by cleaning up garbage and maintaining clear windows

• Avoid making sharp turns or sudden movements while operating an excavator

• Always lower the bucket when parked and park on a level surface

• Do not travel diagonally on slopes but directly up

• Map out an excavator route that is as flat as possible

• Never exceed the maximum weight capacity of an equipment piece

• Lower the bucket closer to the ground when driving for visibility purposes

• Check all blind spots before moving equipment

• Make sure to report any safety hazards and have any needed repairs performed immediately

• Always wear a seatbelt

• Check site plans and call local utility companies before beginning to dig 

The most important point to remember for any operation of heavy equipment is to only do so if training has been provided and it is safe to do so. There are also some tips and tricks online for special projects like operating an excavator on a slope. Always request training before agreeing to operate a piece of new machinery.

The first machine to resemble an excavator was the steam shovel. An ancient dinosaur next to the modern excavator, this piece of equipment was a game-changer when it was invented by William Otis who in 1839 received a patent for the design. It was originally fitted on railway tracks to allow mobility.

The machine could move up to 300 cubic yards a day compared to the 12 cubic yards that could be moved by a man. This machine was used to build the Panama Canal and dig the foundations of early skyscrapers. The machine was used and updated into the 1920s as tracked and wheeled equipment became more popular. In 1931 the last railroad shovel was shipped.

Much like with the bulldozer and other pieces of equipment, various pieces had to come together to create the excavator. Sir W.G. Armstrong & Co. was a British business that had developed the hydraulic system that would be used in the modern excavator.

Designed to use water instead of hydraulic fluid, this system was invented in 1882. The first hydraulic shovel was patented by Kilgore Machine Co in Minnesota in 1897 and used the technology developed by Sir W.G. Armstrong & Co. 

None of these excavators could rotate the full 360 degrees that exist now with the modern excavator. This didn’t happen until the 1960s when a French company called Poclain invented an excavator with cylinders and a hydraulic pump. The TY45 made history as the first fully revolving hydraulic excavator.

Excavators are one of the best land-clearing equipment rental options. They're great for clearing trees and moving heavy loads and their tracks make them great for uneven terrain. If you're looking to rent land-clearing equipment, excavators are a great choice.

What is the difference between an excavator vs a backhoe?

Excavators are larger machines that are used primarily for heavy-duty jobs like trenching, demolition, mining, and land clearing because they have longer arms and can dig deeper than a backhoe. Excavators also provide more digging functionality because they can turn on their cab a full 360 degrees.

Backhoes are smaller excavating machines that offer more versatility but are typically seen on smaller construction projects like residential, snow removal, or loading jobs because of their limited dig depth potential. Whether you pick between a backhoe vs an excavator is dependent on the size of the job.

How deep can an excavator dig?

The depth capacity of an excavator will depend on the size of the equipment. Some specific kinds of excavators – like a long-reach model – make it easier to dig deeper than possible with a regular excavator. Typically, the heavier the operating weight of the excavator the deeper it can dig but it's always worth reviewing the specifications of the equipment before use.

What is the proper digging position for an excavator?

The proper position for digging with an excavator will differ depending on the terrain, the size of the equipment, the location of the dig site, and the nature of the job. 

The best way to set up a dig for success is to take the time to plan before starting. Organizing where the scoop pile will go and where to stage other needed materials will keep the dig safe once it is started. Reading site plans to identify underground hazards like wires or pipes will ensure the productivity and efficiency of a job. Take time to paint lines before digging to align the first dig.

All of these steps help to create a safe working environment which is the first step to proper digging with an excavator.

Can I rent an excavator?

Yes, excavators can be rented for use. You can search DOZR Marketplace for excavators of all sizes to find an excavator rental near you. Rentals are available by the day, week, or month depending on your project length and needs.  

The cost to rent an excavator changes depending on the length of the rental and who the supplier is. You can view all prices and compare them in the DOZR search results. 

What is an excavator and what's it used for?

On virtually every construction site, you'll find at least one excavator. But what is an excavator? What do they do, and why are they integral to almost every Dirt World project? In simplest terms, excavators are large industrial machines used to move large amounts of material, like rock and soil. That means they do everything from digging a basement to laying pipe to mining.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg. We've got to get a little deeper to understand all the ways excavators are used and why they're so important in the Dirt World.

What is an excavator?

The next time you drive by a construction site, look for a big machine with a  moveable boom with a bucket. It'll probably be on tracks or wheels, and it'll probably be busy moving a heavy amount of soil, gravel, or anything else that's a) heavy and b) needs to be moved elsewhere.

These machines use hydraulics to move the boom and bucket, not unlike how the steam shovels of yore used steam — but excavators are a lot quieter, more maneuverable, and much more eco-friendly.

What's an excavator used for?

Maybe the question should be, "what are excavators not used for?"

They can dig, haul, and — with the proper attachments — even boreholes and drive piles. But since we're digging deep, an excavator can be used to:

• Dig trenches, foundations, pools, or even graves
• Handle and haul material like soil and gravel
• Mine
• Dredge rivers
• Load haul trucks

And with the right kind of specialized attachment, excavators can:

• Break down other machinery when needed
• Cut trees and brush
• Create mulch
• Demolish buildings and other structures
• Drive piles and shafts

In short, they're a jack-of-all-trades around the job site, and that's why virtually every job site has at least one excavator on hand.

What’s the difference between an excavator and a backhoe?

One common misconception is that excavators and backhoes are the same, and they frequently get misidentified as one another. After all, excavators and backhoes look a lot alike to someone outside the Dirt World looking in. They're both (usually) on wheels or tracks, they both have buckets, and they're both used for just about everything.

But backhoes and excavators are very different machines used for very different jobs. There are three main differences between excavators and backhoes:

Size and Weight

Excavators are standalone machines that were built to, well, excavate. On the other hand, backhoes are often just attachments that mount on the front or rear of a conventional tractor by what's known as a king pivot (and they're still called "backhoes" even when mounted on the front). You can find backhoes on farms and smaller projects where less power and hauling capacity are needed. Because of their small size, utility companies will also use backhoes in tight urban environments.

Versatility of Function

Backhoes come with a similar range of attachments as excavators, but since they also feature a front loader with a coupler, they become much more versatile. Here's a small selection of attachments:

• Augers
• Brooms
• Buckets
• Compactors
• Hammers
• Rippers
• Thumbs
• Pallet forks
• Rakes
• Snowplows

And while many of these can also be attached to excavators, most companies that operate excavators don't bother since they use purpose-built machinery to accomplish many of these same tasks.

Rotational Range

Since backhoes are mounted to the front or rear of conventional tractors, they don't have the same rotational range as excavators. Most backhoes can only rotate about 200 degrees or so, while excavators can rotate 360 degrees — in other words, a full circle.

What are the different types of excavators?

The range of excavator types is almost as diverse as the jobs the excavators perform. Let's look at the most common types you'll likely see on your next job site.

Crawler or Compact Excavators

Crawler excavators are everywhere, and they're probably what most people imagine when they think of the word "excavator." They're on tracks (like a tank), typically feature an enclosed cab, and use a hydraulically powered boom to dig through heavy material. They work in virtually every type of terrain — albeit slowly. 

Pro: Being on tracks makes them sure-footed on uneven or muddy terrain.
Con: Being on tracks makes them slower than some other excavator types, especially on smooth surfaces like asphalt. The tracks are also much more expensive to maintain and can cause damage to asphalt or concrete pavement.

Wheeled Excavators

Wheeled excavators don't differ much from crawlers, aside from being on wheels rather than tracks. Wheels make them faster and more maneuverable on roads and other asphalt or concrete surfaces, making them unstable on muddy or hilly terrain. These wheeled excavators will often run around on large-scale highway projects where they frequently have to travel long distances between work.

Pro: They can mobilize from job to job faster.
Con: They're more useful on smooth surfaces and require a more skilled operator.

Long-Reach Excavators

Call on a long-reach excavator when you need to dig something that's in a hard-to-reach place. As you probably guessed, they're noteworthy for their long booms, which can reach material more than 100 feet away. You’ll often find long-reach excavators in dredging applications where the machine can’t get to the material without sinking.  

Pro: Their long reach makes it easy to reach material in a difficult or awkward location.
Con: Their long boom makes them difficult to move and maneuver — and they take up a lot of space when not in use.

Ultra-High Demolition Excavator

Need to take down a super tall building with incredible precision? Bring in the UHD or ultra-high demolition excavator.  These units are purpose-built demolition machines based around your typical excavator's chassis. They usually feature a massive two-piece boom in straight segments, a tilting cab, so the operator isn’t breaking their neck all day_, and a larger undercarriage to stay more balanced with all the extra weight.  These machines are great for taking down tall structures up to 200’ tall, but that massive reach allows the operator to demo the structure at a safe distance without being hit by debris.

Pro: They’re capable of taking down large buildings with ease.
Con: These machines have a much higher operating cost than most excavators and are a huge pain to transport.

Hydraulic Front Shovels

These massive machines may be standard in mining operations or the heaviest of civil construction projects, but you're not likely to encounter one on a job site. The buckets on these behemoths can hold up to 65 cubic yards of material — making hydraulic shovels just a little overkill for a typical Dirt World project. 

Pro: Big
Con: Big

Suction or Vacuum Excavators

The others on this list are massive, earth-moving brutes, but the suction excavator is more like a surgeon's scalpel. The vacuum excavator system shines when digging around buried and active underground utilities.  A typical excavator would likely damage these costly utilities, but a vacuum excavator is more gentle and precise.  They utilize a pressurized water jet system, much like a pressure washer you’d use to clean your car, to break up the dirt. Then they suck it up with a giant metal hose and haul it away–this enables a suction excavator to extract material from a small area fast – at speeds of up to 200 miles an hour. You’ll most commonly find these mounted to on-road trucks that look like tankers with an elephant truck out front.

Pro: They're good for precise underground operations, like pipes and drains.
Con: They suck — it's the only thing they do, so if you need a ton of loose soil moved from a large area, a suction excavator isn't much use.

Fun fact: the world's largest excavator is the Bagger 293, a bucket-wheel excavator. You won't see that variety of excavator in the field, though: it's the world's largest land vehicle at 315 feet tall, 738 feet long, and weighing in at an eye-watering 31.3 million pounds.

What are the common parts of an excavator?

What's an auger? Or a stick? Or a slew ring? Don't worry; we'll explain all the most common parts of an excavator so you can sound like an excavator expert on the job site.

• Bucket — The steel container at the end of the dipper or stick, used to lift and handle materials
• Linkage — Links the bucket to the dipper, provides vertical movement
• Dipper (or stick) — Attaches the linkage and bucket to the boom
• Boom — Raises or lowers the dipper or stick
• Cab — Where the operator sits and manipulates the excavator's controls
• Car Body — What the cab is mounted on (think "frame and chassis")
• Cylinders — The hydraulic mechanisms used to move the boom and dipper
• Engine — You know this one — it’s the powerplant and heart of the machine
• Tracks — The interlinked steel plates that the excavator runs on
• Sprockets — Connects to the final drives and rotates the tracks forward and backward
• Slew ring (or swing bear or swing bearing) — The circular metal ring enables the excavator to rotate in a circle.   Attaches the car body to the chassis

Of course, there are more, but these are the parts you're most likely to see and maybe even interact with on the job site.

Learn more about the Dirt World.

The Dirt World is full of exciting machines like excavators. If you'd like to learn more about them and other aspects of the Dirt World, including industry news, expert insights, and best practices from the experts, download the BuildWitt app today. It's designed for the Dirt World.

Content

1. How the aggregates
2. are classified as an excavator
4. Shipping device
5. hydraulic system
6. 9000
7. Electric circuit 9000
8. Work of the exquisite

Excavators are designed to work with frozen or not frozen ground, as well as with pre-crushed rock. The temperature range of equipment operation is -40…+40°С. The excavator device includes several nodes that ensure the operation of the machine. nine0003

How the units are classified

Excavators equipped with a working body with one bucket are divided into categories:

1. By functional purpose. There are machines designed for construction work, special and career. The latter are equipped with a reinforced bucket designed to work with rocks.
2. According to the design of the chassis - wheeled on a special chassis, wheeled on an automobile chassis, caterpillar. The latter can be equipped with caterpillar tracks with increased width. nine0006
3. According to the type of drive of the working body - hydraulic, electric, combined.

How the excavator works

The general structure of the earthmoving excavator includes:

• undercarriage;
• engine;
• hydraulic system;
• transmission;
• cab with controls;
• platform with swivel device;
• working boom.

A compression ignition internal combustion engine is mounted on a turntable. nine0060 The motor has a liquid cooling system. The cooling fan drive is automatic, but there is a forced activation key. To increase power and reduce fuel consumption, the installation of turbochargers is used. The engine drives the working mechanisms of the excavator through a hydraulic or electric transmission. Mechanical transmissions are used on obsolete vehicles.