7 Types of Excavators and Their Uses on the Construction Site

An excavator is a must-have on any job site where heavy amounts of soil need to be lifted and moved. 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.

What Are Excavators Used For?

Excavators are applied to a variety of contractor and industrial needs, including:

• Mining
• Road Construction
• Building Construction
• Demolitions

There are many types of excavators. Smaller machines handle digging and drilling functions, while larger excavators have different tools for heavy-duty projects. When renting your excavator, you’ll want to consider its size and speed as well as working conditions on the job site, such as the amount of space and the soil types.

Types of Excavators

The most common excavator types are crawler, wheeled, dragline, suction, skid steer, and long reach excavators. Here, we’ll go over each type of excavator and the work each one is best used for.

1. Crawler Excavators

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

Pros

• Greater balance and stability on uneven ground
• Suitable for grading hilly areas and landscaping uneven terrain

Cons

• Slower than some other excavators

2. Wheeled Excavators

Wheeled excavators are similar in size and appearance to crawlers but run on wheels instead of tracks. Replacing tracks with wheels makes them faster and easier to maneuver on concrete, asphalt, and other flat surfaces while still offering the same power capabilities.

Pros

• Fast and easy to maneuver on flat surfaces
• Ideal for roadwork and urban projects

Cons

• Perform poorly on uneven terrain

3. Dragline Excavators

The dragline excavator is a larger machine 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. The hoist rope raises and lowers the bucket while the dragline pulls the bucket toward the driver.

Pros

• Ideal for underwater excavating and canal dredging

Cons

• Weight and size make it impractical for smaller jobs

4. Suction Excavators

Also known as vacuum excavators, suction excavators feature a suction pipe capable of 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.

Pros

• Added precision reduces damage during delicate jobs

Cons

• Narrow suction pipes are impractical for large-scale applications

Learn More: The TYPHON 18 FLEX Mini Excavator: An Agile and Luxurious Machine for Versatile Applications

5. Skid Steer Excavators

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

Pros

• Easy to maneuver in tight and narrow spaces
• Ideal for digging pools, site cleaning, and residential work

Cons

• Don’t perform as well on uneven or slippery surfaces

6. 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.

Pros

• Longer boom is ideal for hard-to-reach locations and demolition projects
• Versatile with various attachments for different jobs

Cons

• Difficult to use in tight spaces

7. Mini Excavators

In recent years, more contractors are using mini excavators, a smaller and lighter version of the standard excavator capable of minimizing ground damage and fitting through crowded, narrow sites like parking lots and indoor spaces. Also known as compact excavators, mini excavators typically incorporate reduced tail-swing or zero tail-swing to maneuver tighter turns and avoid contact with any obstacles.

Pros

• Easily fits into tight spaces and can be used indoors
• Minimizes ground damage

Cons

• Can only handle smaller loads

Learn More: Dump Trucks: What You Need to Know

Conclusion

Excavators are versatile and indispensable machines for a wide range of construction and industrial tasks. Understanding the different types of excavators and their specific uses can help you choose the right equipment for your job site, ensuring efficiency, safety, and optimal performance. Whether you need a compact machine for a residential project or a robust excavator for a large-scale construction site, USA Excavators offer a range of options to meet your needs.