Excavator buying guide. How to choose an excavator?

How to choose an excavator? 

There are two main series of excavators, wheeled excavators and crawler excavators, each of which has advantages and disadvantages, and you first need to decide which one is best for your needs. 

Then you need to decide whether you need a "standard" excavator or a specific configuration. There aren't many structural differences between different excavators, and even from one manufacturer to another, an excavator is a versatile machine that usually just needs a tool change to get the job done. However, some configurations are suitable for specific conditions, such as: 

The Zero Tail Swing excavator can be turned without sticking out of the ground area of the machine, enabling it to work near walls without the risk of touching them. The utility excavator has an arm with additional joints to increase the possible range of movement, thereby increasing the versatility of the machine. 

The main selection criteria for an excavator are its size and power.The size of the machine depends on its working weight (for example, we are talking about a 10-ton excavator). Available in a variety of sizes, from less than a ton for the smallest model to 100 tons for surface mining excavators. You have to choose the excavator that suits your needs, a model that is too small may not meet the needs of the job, and a model that is too large may be too bulky and expensive to buy. 

The weight of the excavator gives a general idea of the size of the machine, but it is important to ensure that the arm can reach the maximum distance it has to work. Most manufacturers provide a diagram in their technical documentation showing the kinematics of the arm, as well as the maximum height and depth the arm can reach. 

Another important factor is engine power, which powers the hydraulics that power the arm and any tools mounted on it. It's more or less related to the size of the machine, but it can vary, and a more powerful engine will be able to do more difficult jobs. 

Most excavators have diesel engines, although in recent years we have seen some hybrid diesel/electric engines with energy recovery systems. Therefore, the device is subject to the anti-pollution standards in force in the country in which it is used, most notably the US grading system and European emission standards. 

 Once the main characteristics of the desired machine have been determined, the excavator can be selected based on criteria such as the ergonomics of the driving position, comfort or job aids or noise level.