Excavators
Excavators are pieces of diesel powered earth moving machinery. They are generally used for digging, demolition, grading and dredging.
They consist of a rotating platform, on which is affixed a long, articulated boom arm and a cab for the operator to sit. At the end of the boom arm is the bucket, which is the primary tool of the excavator. The bucket is used in a cyclical fashion. First it is lowered to scoop or dig up its target, and then when it has picked up its load it is hoisted up and swung round so that the load can be deposited. The bucket is then swung back, lowered, and the cycle repeats. Beneath the platform on which the cab and bucket arm sits is a set of undercarriage, which is mounted on either wheels or tracks. The design of an excavator allows the cab to pivot 360 degrees unhindered, which greatly improves its versatility and the degree of control the operator possesses.
Mini Excavators
Excavators come in a number of different sizes, and can be outfitted to serve a number of different purposes. If an excavator weighs roughly 1500kg, then it is classed as a mini excavator. These operate in exactly the same way as their larger cousins, but are more useful in compact spaces or areas in which manoeuvrability may be compromised.
Medium Sized Excavators
Medium sized excavators are those that weigh from around 6000kg to 40000kg. These are the most popular excavators and possess an excellent balance between size, manoeuvrability and load capacity.
Large Excavators
On the upper end of the scale are the excavators that can weigh upwards of 800,000kg. These are generally only required for the most heavy-duty of tasks, as their size and weight prevents them from being used in all but the largest of sites.
Used Excavators
When purchasing a used excavator, the cost and size are obviously very important factors. Also of great importance is the type of work that is to be carried out by the excavator. Several different attachments exist that allow the excavator to carry out different functions. As well as the standard bucket, which itself comes in different sizes and volumes, there are other attachments that can be employed:
- Digging Buckets. These buckets are used when the hole being dug needs to be of a very specific angle and gradient and as such are more specialised than the standard bucket.
- Clearing Rake. This attachment is used for land clearing.
- Power Tilt. This attachment works by moving the bucket from one side to the other, which negates the need to rotate the entire machine when carrying out certain tasks. It allows the user to dig with an increased degree of precision, and also allows the user to dig around certain objects without damaging them, such as sewer piping.
- Pavement Removal. These buckets, as their name suggests, are ideally suited for removing pavement to allow for relaying.
- Sorting Buckets. This particular type of attachment works by allowing the user to separate larger material from smaller material with ease.
All of these attachments are often fitted with mechanisms which allow them to easily be switched while on site.