To make an informed choice when selecting an excavator, it’s essential to understand key factors such as size, technology and jobsite requirements. By considering these elements, you can ensure your excavator meets the demands of your work for greater efficiency and productivity.
Project Size & Scope
Justin Steger, product marketing manager at John Deere, emphasizes the importance of selecting an excavator that matches the scope of your project. “The excavator fit for your needs should be dependent on the task, such as the needed dig depth, dump height for loading trucks, lift capacity and precision technology,” said Steger.
Troy Hitchcock, crawler excavator product manager at DEVELON, agrees that sizing is crucial. “When selecting between crawler excavators of various sizes, be careful not to pick an excavator that’s too big,” he said. “You’ll waste fuel if the machine is more than you need, and it will impact your profitability. Conversely, avoid an excavator that is too small, which will require more time to complete projects.”
Isaac Tucker, excavators and ADT product manager for Liebherr USA, Co., recommends considering the stick size/weight, boom size/weight and attachment/weight.
Job Requirements
Before purchasing an excavator, consider whether it will perform a single job or multiple jobs. “Will the excavator be paired with a bucket, or will operators change attachments?” Hitchcock asks.
“If the machine will use different sizes of buckets or other attachments, it’s a good idea to invest in a hydraulic quick coupler to save time when changing attachments.” Hitchcock points out that smaller crawler excavators, such as DEVELON’s 14- to 25- metric-ton models, often come equipped with a bucket and a thumb, enabling operators to grab and lift objects easily.
Hitchcock suggests considering an excavator’s lifting charts, found in spec sheets or literature, and checking with a local dealer or manufacturer’s website for this information.
Jobsite Characteristics DEVELON
Tail Swing Considerations & Terrain
Adam Woods, Link-Belt’s general manager of Innovation and Product Portfolio Strategies, believes the physical layout and constraints of the jobsite, such as space limitations, access points, and terrain, will influence the size and type of excavator needed. Tail swing is essential when choosing an excavator because the machine may work in limited or restricted spaces. Hitchcock explains that a reduced-tail-swing excavator may be a better choice when conventional-tail-swing excavators can’t work due to space constraints.
“Reduced-tail-swing excavators are regularly operated in congested urban areas, such as road and bridge construction projects. For example, the reduced-tail-swing radius may allow excavator operators to work in one lane of a street or highway without blocking traffic in the adjacent lane. Reduced-tail-swing excavators are ideal when digging and backfilling trenches in a confined area.”
Hitchcock says conventional tail-swing excavators, the most common excavator type, have a rear counterweight profile extending beyond the machine’s steel tracks. “The excavator’s conventional design optimizes performance in digging, loading, and lifting applications,” Hitchcock said. “Applications where conventional-tail-swing machines perform well are in excavating, grading and site development, where space constraints are not a concern.”
For confined spaces, John Deere offers multiple reduced-tail-swing machines that work well in restricted sites, according to Steger. Models like the 135, 245 and 345 midsize excavators offer great performance in smaller working envelopes, making them ideal for road work or infrastructure repair, Steger adds. “If space allows, conventional tail swing models will offer better stability for bigger buckets and more productivity,” Steger said.
Steger suggests that users will want to spec the machine based on dig depth and lift capacity for underground jobs, as the excavator often needs to lift heavy structures and install utility services at the required depth. For site development, Steger recommends calculating the material that needs to be moved in a given timeframe and choose an excavator with a bucket capacity and cycle times to meet the project’s demands.
Hitchcock agrees that dig depth requirements are important. “Many crawler (tracked) excavators today are available with standard and long-arm configurations. Some manufacturers offer super long-reach arms for specialty applications. If the excavator will be working in tight areas or confined spaces and near obstacles, it may be a good idea to use a reduced-tail-swing crawler excavator. DEVELON offers three models with reduced tail swing: DX140LCR-7, DX235LCR-7 and DX350LCR-7.”
Soil Conditions
For hard, compacted soil, Hitchcock suggests using ground-engaging teeth with buckets. “Also, consider the track width when selecting an excavator for optimal performance,” he said. “The excavator track width is defined as the overall width of the machine’s track or commonly referred to as the excavator ‘shoe size.’ It’s measured from the outside of one trackpad to the outside of the other.”
Woods says sandy or loose soil might require a machine with greater stability and traction, while rocky or hard soil might need a more powerful machine with specialized attachments.
Nature of Work
Understanding the primary tasks the excavator will perform is essential. Woods reviews these critical factors:
Lifting and setting — If the work involves precision movements that a crane cannot perform, an excavator with high lifting capacity and precise control is needed.
Digging and truck loading — If the job requires extensive digging and loading of trucks, an excavator with a large bucket capacity and efficient cycle times is ideal.
Frequency and variety of tasks — Some jobs may require versatile machines that can efficiently handle multiple attachments and functions.
Tucker says earthmoving, city/municipal projects, residential, and commercial sites all have specific requirements, which means knowing the scope of the job, projected deadlines and duties will help select the appropriate machine.
Excavator Size
Steger states that compact excavators have operator weights ranging from 1.7 to 6 metric tons — these models offer flexibility, operate efficiently in confined areas and deliver greater excavation and lifting force than manual labor. “Midsized excavators are designed to accelerate profitability and productivity while providing effortless on-demand power,” Steger said. “These models range from 16,500 to 90,000 pounds to provide midsized power to your jobsite needs. Lastly, ranging from 103,500 to 188,750 pounds, the large excavator models are a good choice for those needing to dig out large building foundations, moving large amounts of material or deep trenching and placing a pipe.”
Hitchcock believes various factors will determine the size of the excavator needed for a project. He said to determine the ground conditions. If it’s dirt, then a crawler excavator is the best choice. A wheel excavator is a better choice if you’re working on concrete or asphalt. He mentions these questions to consider: “How deep will you need to dig? How far will you need to reach?” Another option is to purchase or rent crawler excavators with standard or long arms to best meet your needs. Also be sure to consider whether your trailer is big enough to transport a crawler excavator and attachments.
Tucker advises that jobsite analysis, category/class, bucket size and material density should all be considered.
Tracked or Wheeled Excavators
Determining whether you need a tracked or wheeled excavator depends on the scope of the job and the nature of the jobsite and work needing to be done. “An example could be travel distance to clean a drainage ditch along a roadway. A tracked excavator with rubber pads could do the job, but travel at speed in the low single digits. A wheeled excavator could clean a drainage ditch along that roadway, then quickly (double digits) relocate to another, then another. Travel speed and the need for faster speed drives that choice in many/most instances,” Woods said.
Tucker said this depends on the scope of the job — for instance, are you working on a site or working across sites requiring travel? If travel or transport of the machine may be required due to a large jobsite, then a wheeled excavator maybe best depending on if the excavator category or class (machine size) is met.
Hitchcock explains the ground conditions typically determine a tracked or wheeled excavator. If you’re working in the dirt, a crawler excavator is ideal. If you’re working on concrete or asphalt, a wheeled excavator is an ideal machine. “Additionally, if you need to move from one place to another, particularly in urban areas, a wheeled excavator will save you time instead of putting a crawler excavator on a trailer and moving it,” Hitchcock said.
Excavator Technology John Deere
Advancements in technology have enhanced excavators’ efficiency and ease of use. Here are some essential technologies:
Central lubrication and stick limitation — Liebherr’s central lubrication system allows operators to set greasing intervals on-site. The optional stick limitation feature restricts the movement limits of the excavator stick.
Performance mode adjustment — Liebherr’s Modetronics system enables operators to adjust the performance mode of the excavator with settings such as custom, efficient, dynamic and find control on Gen 8.0 machines.
Operator comfort and control — Liebherr’s integrated LDC touchscreen control panel and enhanced cabin design improves operator usability and comfort.
Grade control technology — John Deer’s excavators, including models 210, 350, 380 and 470 P, offer advanced options like 2D Guidance, 2D SmartGrade ready control and full 3D SmartGrade, improving accuracy and productivity.
Telematics and connectivity — John Deere’s telematics and automation technologies, now available in compact models, offer benefits such as location tracking and utilization monitoring. Their in-base connectivity, free from subscriptions or annual renewals, helps fleet managers analyze critical machine data and review diagnostic alerts through the John Deere Operations Center.
Payload and precision grade — Link-Belt’s Payload for onboard weighing and Precision Grade for semi-autonomous grading are essential, and in some cases improve accuracy by up to 50% and increase efficiency by up to 30%.
Advanced machine control — DEVELON’s 7 series excavators come standard with telematics for enhanced fleet management. The DX225LC-7X crawler excavator includes advanced machine guidance and control systems, such as 2D grading, grade assist mode, and virtual wall settings.
Enhanced safety features — Most modern excavators feature enclosed cabs with heat and air conditioning. DEVELON offers additional safety options like sideview cameras for a comprehensive view and ultrasonic proximity sensors that alert operators when objects enter the machine’s working area. Their AVM camera system provides a 360-degree view of the jobsite, enhancing visibility and safety.
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