Excavators, construction machinery

Excavators are universal construction work machines that are equipped with a revolving cab, arm, boom, bucket, and rotating tracks or wheels. These components provide superior strength and mobility, allowing this heavy equipment to perform a variety of functions, which is why they are most often seen as work machines on construction sites.

The biggest differentiating factor between various excavator models is their size, which often correlates with mobility range and lifting and digging capacity. There are different types of excavators that are used to perform various construction and engineering jobs - from various excavations to highway construction or mining and demolition of built structures.

WHICH TYPE OF EXCAVATOR TO CHOOSE?

Whether you plan to rent or buy an excavator, it is important to first understand the various types of excavators, their capabilities and disadvantages. When choosing the best model, you will need to consider the type of work, requirements and terrain conditions. We’ve put together a list of excavator types to help you determine the best fit for your needs:

1. CRAWLER EXCAVATOR

Crawler excavators move on two large rotating tracks that are one of their most recognizable features. The rotating tracks provide outstanding balance and stability, giving them the ability to crawl over some of the roughest terrain and steepest slopes. They are designed for most excavation jobs. Crawlers use hydraulic power to lift heavy rocks and earth, making them the optimal choice for mining and heavy construction jobs. Ranging in size from mini-excavators to medium-sized excavators to large heavy-duty excavators, crawler excavators are very versatile. With the use of attachments, these excavators can be used for numerous construction jobs.

2. WHEEL EXCAVATORS

Wheel excavators can be similar in size and power capabilities to crawler excavators, but they move on wheels instead of tracks. Replacing tracks with wheels makes them faster and easier to maneuver on flat surfaces such as concrete and asphalt. Because they are less stable on uneven ground compared to crawlers, they are not suitable for construction sites with soft ground or hills and slopes. Wheel loaders are therefore often used for road works and other urban excavation projects. However, an outrigger can be added to improve stability when moving between flat and uneven surfaces.
The big advantage of wheeled excavators is that they can be driven from one place of work to another, while crawler excavators must be transported by lowbed trailers. This possibility can increase efficiency and save time and money.

4. LOADERS

Loaders are fast and mobile construction machines that have a loading basket attached to the front. The basic role of these working machines is efficient, fast and economical loading of various excavation materials, most often onto transport vehicles. A standard construction loader implies a chassis on rubber wheels, while loaders on tracks are less often used. Wheel loaders are intended for work in quarries and for large excavations in construction, while loaders on tracks are most often used for work at a waste disposal site. The ability to change various tools gives the loaders the characteristics of a universal construction machine, so they are multipurpose for removing layers, cleaning, collecting waste, fine sorting and the like.

4. Backhoe loaders

Backhoe loaders are versatile working machines on wheels that have a loading bucket at the front, and an excavator arm at the back, most often with a smaller bucket. This makes them an ideal choice for projects where digging and loading are planned at the same time. By changing the tool on both working sides, it is possible to perform several different work operations. They are suitable for the performance of various types of small-scale earthworks and smaller assembly works (installation of pipelines in trenches, etc.) within smaller construction sites and as communal machines.

5. Soil compactors

Soil compactors or rollers are used for the improvement of soil properties, such as density, water content or gradation, before the construction of embankments, roads, earth dams and other construction structures. Most often, these are rollers with a vibration system that are used to reduce the size of materials such as waste material or biomass through compaction. Soil compaction is one of the key steps for any construction project, increasing the stability, bearing capacity and shear resistance of the soil.

6. Graders

Graders are very mobile and relatively fast construction machines for finer earthworks such as soil planning, sand spreading, shaping of all types of loose materials. The main working part of the grader is a long and relatively narrow grader knife, which is flexible in all directions, located between the front and rear wheels. The field of application of the grader and its performance can be expanded with various attachment equipment and devices. Thus, the graders can be equipped with a smaller dozer blade on the front for clearing snow and removing brush. While by connecting the rake with spikes from the back, they enable easier digging by previously loosening some types of soil.

We are authorized representatives of the Turkish brand Hidromek, which is one of the world's leading manufacturers of construction machinery. Hidromek construction machines stand out for their modern design, but more importantly for their exceptional performance such as long service life, low fuel consumption, excellent efficiency and comfort for the operator.

If you need help choosing an excavator, we will gladly help you with advice.
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