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You are here: Home / *BLOG / Around the Web / Construction Site Equipment: Understanding Different Types of Excavators

Construction Site Equipment: Understanding Different Types of Excavators

June 22, 2021 By Editor

Working in construction can be a tough job, but if this is the kind of work you do, you know there are tools and machines available to make things easier. One such machine is an excavator. With a more common name of “diggers,” these heavy pieces of construction equipment give crews the ability to dig trenches and move materials, along with other tasks. 

As useful as these machines can be, not all of them are alike. There specifications differ from each other due to their price they can be ranging from $50,400 to $150,000. If, for example, your construction company has looked for machinery hire Brisbane in the past or yet to contact one, then you must know you have numerous excavators to choose from. So the only question is: How do you pick?

John Deere excavators are some of the best-known and most respected machines in the construction industry. They have been building durable, rugged machines for decades. John Deere excavators are built with quality, durability and reliability in mind. They are designed to be used day after day, year after year without fail. This makes them ideal for any type of job where there is long-term use involved.

Different Terrains Require Different Excavators

When you work in construction, the ground matters. To complete any project, you have to know what kind of terrain you are dealing with. For example, is it hilly and uneven, or is it underwater? The way you approach the job will depend on your answer.

In a nutshell, a terrain describes the physical properties of a land surface. When you first evaluate a site, you should look at this surface and consider what issues might complicate construction and increase costs. Here are types of common terrains:

Hilly and Uneven

For projects involving hills, mountains or other types of uneven ground, a crawler excavator can be an excellent choice. 

Underwater

On the other hand, if the terrain you are working with is underwater, a better idea is to use the dragline excavator.

Underground Terrain

Another option, the suction excavator, is particularly useful for land surfaces that are underground. 

Narrow Spaces

A skid steer can come in handy for narrower spaces and tricky turns due to its smaller size and quicker movements.

Long Distances

If your project involves long distances of the land surface, a good piece of equipment to have is a long-reach excavator.

Easy Terrain

For smaller projects and easier terrains, another great machine to have is a mini excavator. 

Different Excavators Have Different Features

Each of the common types of excavators works differently for different terrains because they each have unique features that equip them for some environments better than others. 

Crawler

The key feature that makes it ideal for uneven terrain is its tank-like chassis and tracking system with the crawler.

Dragline

On the other hand, the dragline features a system that includes a hoist rope and dragline that make it work better underground.

Suction

For the suction, being a wheeled vehicle with a high-pressure vacuum is where all the power is. With this excavator, it is the water jets that rule.

Skid Steer

The real perk has booms and buckets on a wheeled vehicle that face away from the machine’s operator with the skid steer. 

Long-Reach

What could you do if you could reach 40 to 100 feet in the distance? With a long-reach excavator, you can find out. This is how long its extendable arm can be with attachments!

Mini

Although the mini cannot take on the same weight as other models of excavators, it shines in its compact size and ease of maneuvering. 

The Excavator You Need Depends on the Job

The type of excavator you need depends on the job you have to do. If, for example, you have mining work, landscape grading or trench digging to do, a crawler is your best choice. On the other hand, skid steers are usually better for residential projects, while long-reach excavators work well for industrial demolitions. 

When it comes down to it, having the right excavator at your job site can mean the difference between finishing the work or leaving it to someone else. By learning more about what sets these types of machines apart, you can make an informed decision when choosing which kind of equipment to rent for your crew.

Filed Under: Around the Web, Lists, Tips Tagged With: construction

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About Editor

Glenn is a geographer and a GIS professional with over 20 years experience in the industry. He's the co-founder of GISuser and several other technology web publications.

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