EXCAVATORS

DEFINITION
Excavators are also called diggers, JCBs (a proprietary name, in an example of a generic
trademark), mechanical shovels, or 360-degree excavators (sometimes abbreviated simply to "360").
Tracked excavators are sometimes called "trackhoes" by analogy to the backhoe. In the UK,
wheeled excavators are sometimes known as "rubber ducks

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Advantages:
(1) light weight. When passed the same power, hydraulic transmission than a mechanical transmission
device's small size, compact structure, light weight, its quality can reduce the 30%~40%.
(2) can realize stepless speed regulation, large speed range. Henan broken jaw ratio of highest to lowest
speed of up to 1000:1. Plunger type oil motor, can obtain a stable speed 1/min. In fast runs, small inertia
of hydraulic components, high speed and reverse.
(3) transmission is steady, reliable work. Set a variety of safety valves, relief valves in the hydraulic
system, even occasional overloading or mishandling of the situation or personal accidents and damage to
the machine.
(4) the operation is simple, flexible, energy, improving the driver's working conditions. In addition, easy
to automate control of the hydraulic system can be composed jointly with electric, pneumatic automatic
control and remote control systems.
(5) the device can be enlarged. Can be configured with a variety of new devices, such as combination
boom, telescopic boom mount, bottom-dump bucket, etc; also, easy to replace and adjust the working
device, compact hydraulic excavator fitted with 30~ 40 replacement device.
(6) maintenance and repair easy. Since hydraulic excavator does not require complex mechanical systems,
structure has been simplified, reduced nearly 50% of wearing parts, it greatly simplifies maintenance and
repair work.
(7) the hydraulic components are easy to achieve standardization, serialization and generalization, and
organize specialized production. improve quality and reduce costs.

PURPOSE OF EXCAVATOR
An excavator is a construction vehicle used to excavate or move large objects. An Excavator is basically
made up of 2 parts: a driving base associated a powerful boom arm with an attachment designed for
excavating. The operator sits within a small cab connected to the base and controls the arm.
The excavator uses a Hydraulic system to generate a Hydraulic force to control the mechanical arm of the
machine. It also uses a chain wheel system for it’s movement.
 Excavators are been used in large and small scale constructions. They are used for small housing projects
to do a cut and fill, used in road construction, used in marine structures to place armors and large
rocks, and also been used in larger sites to excavate, move construction material, remove construction
waste etc….. There are several types of excavators which are classified on use, brand and purpose.

excavator used in Construction

Usage of Excavator in ConstructionThe excavator probably is the most commonly used machine in the
Construction Industry.There are many uses of an Excavator.

 Digging of trenches, holes, foundations

 Demolition
 Material handling
 General grading/landscaping
 Brush cutting with hydraulic attachments
 Forestry work
 Lifting and placing of pipes
 Mining, especially, but not only open-pit mining
 River dredging

Excavators use a variety of hydraulic attachments that serve different purposes. In addition to a bucket,
other common attachments include an auger, breaker, grapple, auger, lamp, and quick coupler.

Buckets

Buckets are the most common attachments seen on excavators. These steel
attachments have teeth-like edges that can provide digging and scooping capabilities.
Buckets come in different varieties. The most common are ditching buckets — which is
designed for grading stones — and trenching buckets, which are used to dig trenches.

Auger

Attaching an auger allows you to bore into the ground. Powered by hydraulic circuits,
these helical attachment have the ability to reach over objects and drill deep holes.
Augers come in different specifications and sizes for various digging conditions and
terrains — they range from 4 inches to 50 inches in length and can dig up to 32 feet.

Breaker

`provide up to 1000 pounds of impact energy, these attachments are used to break into
tougher surfaces like stone and concrete.

Clamp

Clamps allow excavator operators to pick up large materials such as tree stumps and
concrete that are too oversized for a bucket. The attachments can be used with buckets
or as pieces in a grapple. Clamps are easy to attach and detach from excavators.

Coupler

Couplers allow you to quickly switch between tools and attachments without a crew.
This is handy when you are moving between different tasks and processes on a job site.

TYPES OF EXCAVATOR

When you need to lift heavy amounts of soil, an excavator is a must on your job site. Excavators are
popular earthmoving vehicles that feature a bucket, arm, rotating cab, and movable tracks. These
components provide superior digging power and mobility, allowing this heavy equipment to perform a
variety of functions, from digging trenches and breaking holes to lifting away waste and excavating
mines.

The most common excavator types are crawlers, dragline excavators, suction excavators, skid steer, and
long reach excavators. We’ll go over what each type of excavator type is and what work each one is best
used for.

Crawler Excavators
Unlike other large excavators that run on wheels, crawlers run on large two endless tracks, crawlers are
often used in mining and heavy-duty construction jobs. Also known as compact excavators, these
excavators use hydraulic power mechanisms to lift heavy debris and soil.

Dragline Excavators

The dragline excavator is a larger excavator that operates with a different process. The equipment utilizes
a hoist rope system that attaches to a bucket via a hoist coupler. The other side of the bucket is affixed to
a dragline that runs from the bucket to the cab.

Suction Excavators
Also known as vacuum excavators, these excavators feature a suction pipe capable of letting air providing
up to 400 horsepower. The excavator first releases a water jet to loosen the ground.

The pipe, which contains sharp teeth at the edge, then creates a vacuum that carries away soil and debris
up to 200 miles per hour. A suction excavator is ideal for delicate underground applications, as it can
reduce the chance of damage by more than 50 percent.

Skid Steer Excavators

Unlike standard excavators, skid steers have booms and buckets that face away from a driver. This
orientation allows the attachments to reach over the cab instead of around it, making them useful in more
narrow areas and maneuvering tricky turns.

Long Reach Excavators

As its name suggests, a long reach excavator features a lengthier arm and boom sections. The design
allows for better operation in hard-to-reach locations. The excavator’s extendable arm can reach over 100
feet horizontally.

RESTRICTION OF EXCAVATOR
The excavator safe operating rules are meant to provide you with important information and suggestions
necessary for using the machine safely and efficiently.
1. The excavator should be transported to the construction site on a tractor-trailer. If it is not transported
on a tractor-trailer, the arm and bucket cylinders should be in braking position and locked in place. Check
and lubricate parts every 500–1000 meters (500–1000 yards).
2. When operating the excavator on soft ground, sleepers and pads should be placed on the ground. When
operating in a swamp area, subgrade should be placed or special tracks installed.
3. Do not dig directly on rocks or frozen ground that is Level 5 and above.
4. When using the bucket for forward and upward scooping (shovel configuration), operating height and
depth should be within specified limits. The safe distance between the excavator crawler belt and the
work area edge should be at least 1–1.5 meters (3.3–5 feet).
5. Work areas should be free of obstacles and pedestrians. Give a loud sound signal and do trial digging
several times before normal operation.
6. Ensure that the excavator is level during operation.
7. Clear large rocks or barriers before digging. Avoid crushing rocks or frozen soil with bucket teeth.
Fragment the rocks with breaking equipment before digging to reduce damage to the excavator.
8. Use extra caution when working on a cliff. Ensure that there is no loose or scattered rock in the work
area. Move the excavator to a safe place if there is a possibility of collapse.
9. Do not get close to overhead power lines when the excavator is in operation. Distance between
machinery and power lines should be in accordance with regulations.
10. When the excavator is not in use, always keep the bucket on the ground, no matter how long the
operator is away from the cab.

PURPOSE OF EXCAVATOR
An excavator is a construction vehicle used to excavate or move large objects. An Excavator is basically
made up of 2 parts: a driving base associated a powerful boom arm with an attachment designed for
excavating. The operator sits within a small cab connected to the base and controls the arm.
The excavator uses a Hydraulic system to generate a Hydraulic force to control the mechanical arm of the
machine. It also uses a chain wheel system for it’s movement.

Excavators are been used in large and small scale constructions. They are used for small housing projects
to do a cut and fill, used in road construction, used in marine structures to place armors and large
rocks, and also been used in larger sites to excavate, move construction material, remove construction
waste etc….. There are several types of excavators which are classified on use, brand and purpose.
 excavator used in Construction
Usage of Excavator in ConstructionThe excavator probably is the most commonly used machine in the
Construction Industry.There are many uses of an Excavator.

 Digging of trenches, holes, foundations

 Demolition
 Material handling
 General grading/landscaping
 Brush cutting with hydraulic attachments
 Forestry work
 Lifting and placing of pipes
 Mining, especially, but not only open-pit mining
 River dredging

Excavators use a variety of hydraulic attachments that serve different purposes. In addition to a bucket,
other common attachments include an auger, breaker, grapple, auger, lamp, and quick coupler.

Buckets

Buckets are the most common attachments seen on excavators. These steel
attachments have teeth-like edges that can provide digging and scooping capabilities.
Buckets come in different varieties. The most common are ditching buckets — which is
designed for grading stones — and trenching buckets, which are used to dig trenches.
Auger

Attaching an auger allows you to bore into the ground. Powered by hydraulic circuits,
these helical attachment have the ability to reach over objects and drill deep holes.
Augers come in different specifications and sizes for various digging conditions and
terrains — they range from 4 inches to 50 inches in length and can dig up to 32 feet.

Breaker

`provide up to 1000 pounds of impact energy, these attachments are used to break into
tougher surfaces like stone and concrete.

Clamp

Clamps allow excavator operators to pick up large materials such as tree stumps and
concrete that are too oversized for a bucket. The attachments can be used with buckets
or as pieces in a grapple. Clamps are easy to attach and detach from excavators.

Coupler

Couplers allow you to quickly switch between tools and attachments without a crew.
This is handy when you are moving between different tasks and processes on a job site.

USAGE
Excavators are used in many ways:

 Digging of trenches, holes, foundations

 Material handling
 Brush cutting with hydraulic saw and mower attachments
 Forestry work
 Forestry mulching
 Construction
 Demolition with hydraulic claw, cutter and breaker attachments
 General grading/landscaping
 Mining, especially, but not only open-pit mining
 River dredging
 Driving piles, in conjunction with a pile driver
 Drilling shafts for footings and rock blasting, by use of an auger or hydraulic drill attachment
 Snow removal with snowplow and snow blower attachments
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