Different types of excavators

Excavators are a very widely used piece of plant machinery which can commonly be found on construction sites, civil engineering projects and landscaping ventures. The equipment is versatile and with various types of excavator and attachments available, they can be used for many tasks. Let’s take a look at some of the many options out there.

backhoe excavator

 

Types Of Excavators 

The excavator family have various features in common, with all types being used to effectively dig out and/or move large amounts of materials. It is, therefore, unsurprising that 360 excavators – the 360 relates to the fact that the cab sits atop a platform which can rotate 360° in a full circle – are frequently used during many forms of construction work.

Some of the different kinds of excavator include:

 

Backhoe excavators:

  • This is the most prevalent kind of excavator and can be used for a large variety of tasks. The machine has a bucket attached to the dipper arm that is oriented backwards, facing the cab, which is dragged towards the operator to scoop up materials.

 

Crawlers excavators:

  • Also known as a compact excavator, these machines have high horsepower and utilise hydraulics. Generally, crawlers use a continuous track instead of wheels and have an independent boom swing.

 

Suction excavators:

  • Also known as vacuum excavators, these offer more precise and careful excavation. First, a water jet is usually used to loosen the target ground and then a suction pipe with sharp, cutting teeth at the end breaks up the ground and whisks the loose debris away.

 

Dragline excavators:

  • This is the largest kind of excavator, so much so that sometimes they have to be assembled on site lest their weight damage roads. They work in a similar way to a backhoe but on a much larger scale.

 

dragline excavator

 

Excavators Uses

There are many reasons an excavator might be needed during a project. Some of the applications for this useful and flexible piece of equipment include:

  • Removing earth or other such materials from a site
  • Digging foundations
  • Digging trenches, often for laying pipework
  • Demolition
  • Mining
  • Grading and landscaping work
  • River dredging
  • When the bucket attachment is swapped, many different tasks can be accomplished such as driving piles, breaking up concrete or rocks, and compacting

 

Excavators Training

To ensure you can use an excavator safely and effectively, it is important to undergo training and attain industry recognised certification. A training course will equip you with the knowledge to operate an excavator correctly, teaching you how to manoeuvre, techniques to use, checks to carry out, and much more.

Euro 1 Training offer a wide selection of plant machinery courses – including excavator, HGV and forklift driver training. Our comprehensive, accredited training courses are taught by knowledgeable course leaders with hands on industry experience, ensuring you receive well-informed advice and learn all the skills for becoming a proficient operator. For more information about our courses, don’t hesitate to get in touch – we operate in and around Sheffield, Wakefield and Goole.