It is almost certain you will find at least an excavator in every construction or landscaping project site you check.

Yes, they are that popular. The popularity of the excavator is due to its versatility. Excavators are ideal for digging, earthmoving, and a few more site activities.

Structurally, an excavator comprises a boom, dipper or stick, and bucket in its upper body. These parts collectively connect to a cab sitting on a rotating house that can turn 360 degrees conveniently.

Therefore, an excavator can quickly move with an extensive motion range, even in a confined space.

Some excavators come with tracks, while others are fitted with wheels. The choice will depend on the project’s needs, which is why excavators can easily meet the requirements of most projects. However, of the several activities an excavator can handle on a site, it does better in some than others.

Below is a list of the five best applications of this piece of heavy equipment;

Digging and Earthmoving.

An excavator is the most used piece of heavy equipment for digging and earthmoving on the site. It can easily handle all forms of digging, including holes and trenches. Excavators can also grade land and do general landscaping efficiently. You can move dirt, debris, rock, soil, and more around the job site quickly using an excavator.

The excavator shines the most in digging when digging trenches. Trench digging means digging holes of different sizes in the ground to create space to install various types of foundations or utilities. The excavator’s bucket is fitted with teeth-like prongs which are strong enough to break ground and scoop the earth underneath seamlessly. Compared to manual equipment or other less-suited methods, digging trenches with an excavator saves time and requires less effort.

You can also use your excavator for landscape grading. Grading means levelling the ground to make it suitable for a construction project. It can also mean the sculpting of land to control the flow of water from one area to another. You also grade the land to create space for plants, carve out pathways, or install new landscaping elements. Jobs in the grading category require a partial or complete reworking of the land, usually by digging up and resettling the ground.

Again, the bucket and sheer power of the excavator make it the best piece of heavy equipment for such jobs.

Forestry.

You most likely do not expect to see forestry on this list, considering we are talking about construction. However, this machine’s outstanding versatility and power make it a favourite in the forestry industry. The forestry industry is responsible for maintaining and cultivating forests, which are the primary source of paper, pulp, lumber, and other essential products.

How do excavators help in forestry? The first forestry-related use of excavators is harvesting and handling trees and other heavy related materials. The excavator also helps to remove branches and shear trees to improve safety in the forest. This versatile heavy equipment also comes in handy when creating access routes in the woods.

Forestry-specific excavators are often equipped with shear, mulcher, and related attachments. They are also available in various sizes and options, including wheel or track options. Therefore, an excavator is suited to both the unique terrain of the forests. Your choice of excavator for forestry will depend on the type of forest, how close the trees are, and the kind of ground.

Demolition.

You may need to demolish an existing structure to create the space for a new and better structure. While demolition is often overlooked, it is commonly one of the stumbling blocks in a construction process. Demolishing a structure is as vital as demolishing it properly. For example, if you are demolishing a structure in a residential area, the process must be safe and in line with the standard regulations.

In addition to doing an excellent job in digging and preparing the ground for further construction activities, excavators are also perfect for removing existing structures. This piece of heavy equipment is solid and powerful, and compatible with a long list of attachments.

Using the right excavator for your demolition projects ensures additional safety and stability for the operator and everyone else on site. Once you replace the traditional bucket with the breaker attachment, you have all you need to destroy even tougher areas more precisely. You can also perform other demolition-related activities effectively.

With the beaker attachment, the excavator can break through almost anything, including stone, concrete, and other tough materials. You may stick to the traditional general-purpose bucket when dealing with less tough structures.

Even after demolition, the excavator’s handling capabilities come in handy in removing debris.

Getting rid of debris.

Excavators are excellent at handling material and removing debris. If you have debris from a fallen structure lying around after a demolition project or a natural disaster, you can trust the excavator to clear them quickly and efficiently. The flexible nature of an excavator makes it perfect for removing debris. Excavators come in different sizes and types, so it is easy to choose the right one for the task at hand. For example, you may need an excavator with more lifting power for some projects and one with improved manoeuvrability for others.

Note that “debris,” as used in this case, does not mean a specific material. The debris to be lifted in any case may be different. However, the excavator will always be equal to the task, thanks to the wide range of available attachments you can introduce to get the job done.

How Do You Get An Excavator?

Chances are you will need an excavator for your next construction project. However, the high cost of this piece of equipment means the outright purchase is not always an option. Fortunately, you can rent from a reputable heavy equipment store. Most stores selling CAT parts UK will likely have the excavator and the attachments you need for rent or outright purchase.

You do not always get to run your excavator on a smooth, straight, and consistent terrain. Sometimes, you find yourself dealing with hills, holes, steep edges, or dirt piles on construction sites. Operating an excavator (on any other machine) in that situation can be a different experience. But not to worry, you can get some helpful tips in this article.

Why Is Slope Important When Operating An Excavator?

The slope is crucial n excavation operations for two primary reasons: the center of gravity and lubrication. The center of gravity is not always constant; it shifts as the machine turns sideways. The risk of tipping is even higher for steeper slopes. You want to avoid the extreme dangers of tipping a machine as large as an excavator down a hill.

Lubrication also plays a vital role in an excavation operation—oil, fuel, and lubrication all shift as the excavator engine shifts and turns on a slope. The holding containers for lubrication differ across excavator models. The engine may struggle to use the liquids if the tilt is too much, leading to failure or damage.

But you can avoid these situations with these five things you should know when operating an excavator on a slope or incline.

1. Assess the physical features of the hill.

The integrity of a hill depends on many things, including loose rocks, mud, ice, melting snow, and even rain. Despite passing the 70% rule assessment, a large machine like an excavator may be at the risk of slipping or shifting under its weight when operated on unstable terrain. You can wait a few days for bad weather to clear out and only proceed to work when the conditions are better. Alternatively, if you are dealing with loose debris, you can clear the space to ensure safety.

2. Use the right excavator.

You must always use the right machine when working on a slope. Interestingly, there are different models and designs of excavators; all made for specific use. For example, it is best to use a long-reach excavator for slopes and angled digging. This ensures the stability of the main machine while the extra-long digging arm deals with the hill. You do not have to buy a long-reach excavator – they are available for short-term leases. You may also consider spider excavators if you want to get into odd spaces in very unusual terrains.

3. Always use the 70% rule.

Do not use an excavator on a slope of over 70%. The 70% slope grade is the same as a 35-degree angle. If you are unsure of the slope of a hill, you can consult the surveyor on your team or hire one for that purpose. The surveyor can use the hill’s top and bottom elevation to determine the rise of the hill. In some cases, the hill may be too steep for consideration. In that case, look for the site plans or measure the slope to ensure it is safe to work on the site.

4. Pay attention to equipment positioning

The front attachment of your machine must always be out and low to the ground when driving up a slope. That is the only way to maintain a low center of gravity. In the case of an excavator, the boom can help with balanced weight distribution. Balancing the weight of an excavator is easier when driving up a slope compared to sideways across it.

5. Only operate when you are comfortable.

Ultimately, you must be knowledgeable and experienced to use an excavator on a slope. Whenever you are uncertain or uncomfortable about operations, do not proceed. Instead, reassess the situation or seek experts’ advice before trying out something new. You are dealing with a 20-ton machine – that’s three elephants, a whale shark, and a loaded coach bus. Imagine what it would be like to have a whale shark falling on top of you. Disastrous, right? So, you must be careful to prevent an excavator from tipping over you.

Operating An Excavator Safely On A Slope

You cannot always avoid operating on slopes. That said, you must ensure due diligence and safety at all times. Assess the terrain you want to work on, use the right equipment, stick to the 70% rule, and pay attention to the positioning. With these, you can make your slope operations safe and smooth. Remember, you can always say no when you have even the slightest doubt. It is safety before anything else.

Chances are you are not coming across ‘excavator’ for the first time, whether you are an enthusiast or a regular in the construction business. There is a lot to know about this efficient and multipurpose heavy equipment.

What is an excavator?

Excavators or diggers are used mostly for construction projects. This piece of heavy equipment comes handy for a wide range of construction activities, including demolition, landscaping, river dredging, mining projects, construction, and material handling.

What are the components of an excavator?

There are three main parts of an excavator – the bucket, the dipper or stick, and the boom. All these parts are linked to a cab, positioned on a rotating house capable of making a complete 360-degree turn. Sometimes, they are fitted with wheels or tracks, depending on the intended project or the excavator’s model and manufacturer.

You will find excavators in different weights and sizes. The largest models weigh up to 180,000 lbs. Depending on the project’s nature, the bucket can be replaced with other attachments like rake, ripper, drill, or auger to achieve different results.

How do you choose the right excavator for a project?

Adequate planning is key to choosing the right excavator for a job. You need to understand what exactly you want the excavator to do. This will help determine the right excavator for the job and how to hire it beforehand. A one-cap-fits-all approach is not applicable when it comes to excavators.

What is the difference between cable and hydraulic excavators?

The moving technique of the machine parts distinguishes a hydraulic excavator from a cable excavator. Hydraulic excavators are controlled using the levers, which control the hydraulic fluid to pus. This, in turn, moves the cylinders and maneuver the bucket and boom of the excavator.

Conversely, cable excavators rely on a system of steel wires and cables for its movement. It used to be steam shovels until they were replaced by the wires and cables in the 1900s.

What are the various kinds of excavators?

Excavators come in different sizes and build. So, they are suitable for every construction project, either major constructions or simple renovations. Considering their flexibility, it is easy to combine them with different attachments, depending on the nature of the earth-moving project.

An excavator running at the maximum capacity will increase efficiency and speed up the project. European urban projects tend to prefer wheeled excavators because the wheels are friendlier with finished roads and pavement, whereas traditional metal tracks are not.

Let’s take a look at the seven main types of excavators currently available:

1. Crawler Excavators

Crawler excavators are mostly preferred for landscape grading, trench digging, and mining. It is the traditional representative of ‘excavator,’ and comes in both the track and wheels models.

2. Mini Excavators

Mini excavators or mini diggers are almost like the crawler excavators, but they are smaller and compact. They are designed for use on delicate terrains or narrow and obstacle-filled job sites. They have no tail-wing capability, so they can only handle basic projects.

3. Long Reach Excavators

As the name suggests, long reach excavators have very long arms – up to 100 feet. These extended attachments make them suitable for industrial demo and heavy-duty digging projects.

4. Skid Steer Excavators

This kind of excavator comprises buckets designed to scoop away dirt and operated from the equipment cab. Considering their small size, skid steer excavators are ideal for simple clearing tasks and residential projects.

5. Wheeled Excavators

They are almost like the regular excavators, except that they are not fitted on tracks but on wheels. They are most preferred for city projects – the main reason for their increasing popularity.

6. Suction Excavators

Suction excavators are efficient in clearing dirt, debris, and soil; hence, they are most preferred for complicated excavation projects like debris cleanup and underground applications. The high-pressure vacuum and water jet on this type of excavator are operated from a wheeled vehicle.

7. Dragline Excavators

In addition to its larger size, dragline excavators rely on a dragline system and a hoist rope to clear the earth. They come handy in road excavations, pile driving, and underwater projects.

What are the popular excavator attachments?

A bucket is one of the most common excavator attachments. It is found in all traditional excavators, where it digs towards the cab and machine. Lifting and moving the digging bucket is easy since it is fitted with a thumb.

Apart from the digging bucket, other bucket types found in excavators include the V bucket and the rocket bucket. While the rocket bucket and digging bucket are similar in appearance, the former has longer and sharper teeth. The rocket bucket is more durable and reinforced. Therefore, it can break through hard rock without sustaining damages. The V-shaped bucket has a narrow V-shaped edge used for cutting. The V-shape makes it more efficient in digging trenches and laying pipes and cables.

Other attachments include hammers, auger attachments, rakes, compactors, and rippers, among others. The auger attachment helps to dig holes, while the hammer comes handy in breaking rocks and hardened concrete. With all these various attachments, it is understandable why excavators have found important diverse applications.

How are excavators manufactured?

Considering today’s popularity of excavators, the manufacturing is not limited to only one brand. Different companies are making various sizes and models of excavators for all kinds and sizes of projects.

Let’s take a look at some of the top excavator manufacturers in the business:

1. Caterpillar 

Since its establishment in 1925 by the amalgamation of Holt Manufacturing Company and C. L. Best Tractor Company, Caterpillar (CAT) has grown into one of the largest and most trusted manufacturers of heavy equipment and machinery.

The first Caterpillar Excavator Series is called the 20o series, introduced in 1972. This has continued to evolve. At the moment, it boasts contemporary excavators with fuel-efficient engines, state-of-the-art tech, and productivity-centered designs.

You will find a wide range of aftermarket Caterpillar cat parts at Kep services UK.

2. Volvo

Volvo started in 1832 in the Swedish city of Eskilstuna, with the foundations laid by Johan Theofron Munktell. Joan, a 27-year-old construction engineer, was commissioned by the city to build an engineering workshop to improve the area’s local mechanical industry. Three years after the inception of the workshop, Joan manufactured the first locomotive in Sweden.

Somewhere else in Sweden, Carl Gherard and Jean Bolinder have just returned from overseas (England) after completing their tertiary education. Both majored in engineering technology and wanted to pursue their interests in the same.

About a century later, Johan’s pioneer mechanic workshop was merged with the Swedish brothers’ business. AB Bolinder-Munktell was the result of the merger. Volvo eventually purchased the company in 1950.

Volvo is currently a respected front-runner in the construction equipment manufacturing business. There are plans in the pipeline for the company to launch a range of electric compact excavators and wheel loaders before the end of 2020.

Volvo provides a wide range of excavators – mini, short swing, wheeled, and crawler excavators. The most popular models are the wheeled excavators, with excellent compatibility with different attachments and stability levels. There are also medium, and compact Volvo wheeled excavators.

3. Komatsu

After its launch in Japan in 1917, Komatsu extended its tentacles to North America in the 1960s. They launched their H-series into the American hydraulic excavators’ market before their official launch in 1970.

Fast forward to today, Komatsu now manufacturers modern excavators with new engines and efficient hydraulic technology. Their products are known for their best-in-class build quality and sturdy designs.

Komatsu has a wide range of excavators to its name, including mining, compact, and small excavators. The Komatsu PC170LC, a mid-range model, has a 121 hp and 2,100 rpm and an operating weight of over 43,000 lbs. Another notable Komatsu excavator model is the PC240LC-10 Super Long Front, revered for its immense stability and productivity. This model has a 177 hp, 2,000 rpm, and a 58,51 lbs operating weight. Considering its extended working range, it is ideal for sloping applications and digging deep ditches.

John Deere and Co

The John Deere and Co company was established in 1837 by John Deere. It took quite a long time before the company produced its first excavator – the JD 690 was introduced in 1969. Fast forward to today, John Deere has over 20 various models of excavators to its name.

The 870G LC Excavator is the largest and most popular on the list. It is capable of digging up to 31ft, with its 512 hp engine power. There is also the 75G, which is not as large as the 870G. It can dig up to 15ft with its 56.9hp and 18,000 lbs operating weight.

What are the safety protocols and potential hazards associated with excavators?

Like any other heavy equipment, operating an excavator comes with a safety hazard. This is why only trained individuals are allowed to handle such heavy equipment. A trained heavy equipment operator is expected to be careful and always observe the safety protocols.

Wondering what the safety protocols are? We have highlighted them below:

• Always put on safety gear like a vest, hardhat, ear protection, and respiratory protection.
• Avoid digging under structures when there are no adequate support systems.
• Avoid digging underneath the excavator.
• Ensure proper maintenance of the excavator’s cab, especially the windows.
• Do not make sudden movements or sharp turnings while operating the excavator.
• Always keep your excavator route flat.
• Avoid diagonal movements on slopes; always travel directly up.
• Never keep the bucket hanged when parked.
• Always park on a flat surface
• Do not move the excavator, except you have checked all the blind spots.
• Keep the bucket lowered when driving to see clearly.
• Do not drive the excavator without wearing your seatbelt.
• Be on the lookout for any safety hazards and make immediate reports if you notice any.
• All reported safety hazards must be repaired immediately.
• Inform local utility companies and check site plans before using the excavator on site.

Again, only personnel trained in operating heavy equipment must use excavators. Do not operate a piece of new machinery except you are well-trained in its operations.

What is the story behind the excavator?

Before the excavator, there was the steam shovel, which can be considered as the ancient replica of the modern excavator. The steam shovel was William Otis’ invention. It was patented in 1839. The first application of steam shovel was on railway tracks where they are fitted to ensure mobility.

Steam shovels are designed to move up to 300cuic yards daily. This is a vast improvement to the 12 cubic yards previously obtained from human labor. Steam shovels were used in building the Panama Canal. They also played crucial roles in the digging of the foundations of the pioneer skyscrapers. It was revamped in the 1920s into a tracked and wheeled equipment, and by 1931, the last railroad shovel was shipped.

Creating the excavator required the coming together of different pieces of equipment. For instance, the hydraulic system, a vital component of the then excavator, was provided by Sir W. G. Armstrong and Co, a notable British Business. The then hydraulic system was manufactured in 1882. It used water instead of fuel.

The patent for the first hydraulic shovel was approved in 1897 and awarded to Kilcore Machine and Co. However, it was built on the design concept of Sir W. G. Armstrong and Co. However, there is a slight downside to these early excavator models – they could not make a full 360-degree rotation.

Modern excavators fixed this issue, although it continued to elude manufacturers until the 1960s. Poclain was a French Company that manufactured the TY45 – the first entirely revolving hydraulic excavator with a hydraulic pump and cylinders.

Frequently Asked Questions – Excavators

What is the deepest an excavator can dig?

The size of the excavator determines how deep it can dig. Regular excavators will not go as deep as long-reach excavator models.

Is it possible to lift a shipping container with an excavator?

Lifting is not the ideal role of an excavator. However, the right sized excavator can lift or move a shipping container on site. It is essential to know the container’s weight and size so that the right excavator is chosen for the job.

When lifting a shipping container high enough to load into something, work with an excavator whose weight and center of gravity is enough to handle the load. Using an excavator or any other earth-moving equipment to lift a load outside its rated capacity is dangerous.

What is the correct digging position for an excavator?

A few factors will determine the right position for digging using an excavator. These include the dig site’s location, the terrain, the nature of the job, and the excavator’s size.

When preparing for a digging job, ensure adequate planning. Know the right place for all the materials, including the scoop pile. This will keep the dig safe once the excavator has started working.

You should also check the site plans to see any underground hazards like pipes and wires that may cause issues. If possible, draw lines to align and direct the digging process. These measures will safeguard the excavator, the operator, and the materials on site.

Is it possible to use an excavator as a crane?

An excavator is not built for lifting. Hence, using it to lift objects put both the operator and the equipment at significant risk. In rare cases where excavators are used as a crane for lifting equipment, it should be done by well-trained operators, while ensuring great care in the process.

Is an excavator the same with a backhoe?

Although both the backhoe and excavator are used for digging, they are not the same pieces of equipment. The backhoe and excavator perform various functions.

Unlike the excavator, the backhoe is smaller, with a standard tractor body. There is a boom bucket on the back end and sometimes another at the front. The front bucket can be replaced by another attachment. Conversely, the excavator has just one digging bucket on the front end. It can also be replaced with a suitable extension.

The excavator can make a full 360-degree turn, while the backhoe is limited to a 200-degree rotation radius.

The versatility of backhoes is another distinguishing factor. They can dig, load, lift, move, and push – all made possible by their wheeled nature. Excavators are built to lift large objects, dig grounds, demolish, and landscape. Excavators are usually tracked, although more wheeled excavators are surfacing.

Can I rent an excavator for a project?

Yes, you can. Like other heavy equipment, Excavators are expensive to own, except when they are needed for long-term purposes. A standard heavy equipment rental company has different sized excavators available for rent.

You can rent for different durations – a day, a week, moths, or your project’s exact duration. The duration of rent and the size of the rented excavator determine the cost.