Excavators are top-rated in the construction world, though their use is not limited to construction jobs. They are used in forestry work, river dredging, and aircraft recycling. They are often referred to as diggers, backhoes, and bulldozers. Diggers usually have wheels or tracks. This feature depends on the preference of the manufacturer and the nature of a project.
Diggers are designed to connect the boom, bucket, and dipper to the cap. The cap is then connected to a rotating house. Most diggers have houses that make a full 360 degrees rotation. Different construction works require other diggers. Below are four excavators that are frequently used in construction sites
- Dragline diggers
A dragline digger has a different operation process compared to other diggers. Its equipment uses a hoist rope system attached to one side of a bucket through a hoist coupler. The remaining side of the bucket is affixed to a dragline that runs from the bucket to the cab.
The function of the hoist rope is to raise and lower the bucket. The dragline’s role is to pull the bucket towards the driver. The complexity and uniqueness of the dragline digger make it suitable for large-scale projects. Dragline diggers are used in canal dreading and underwater excavating. They are unsuitable for small-scale jobs.
2. Wheeled diggers
A wheeled digger is a power-driven machinery that is wheel supported. They are used in many applications like road work, scrapyard work, waste handling, utility installation, and material handling. Wheeled diggers function well in urban areas. They are the most common excavators for hire.
Wheeled diggers have high lifting power, primarily when used together with stabilizers. They also have a two-part boom. This feature allows the wheeled digger to shorten its boom, increasing productivity. However, they are costly and less stable compared to other wheeled diggers.
3. Suction diggers
Suction diggers are construction vehicles used to remove materials and heavy debris on land. They are also known as vacuum excavators. A suction digger has a suction pipe that can provide a maximum horsepower of 400. The suction pipe has sharp teeth at its edges. Water is first released to the ground to loosen it, and then the pipe creates a vacuum that carries away the debris.
Suction diggers are used in delicate underground projects. It is because they reduce the damage that comes with delicate jobs.
4. Crawler diggers
Crawler diggers are also called compact excavators. They are different from other excavators because they use two endless tracks instead of wheels for moving. The tracks make it suitable for the crawler diggers to maneuver and slide down hills with minor risks.
Crawler diggers have higher stability and balance on uneven ground than wheeled diggers. They are used in heavy-duty construction jobs and mining. Hydraulic power is used to lift heavy soil. However, crawler diggers are slower in their activities.
Conclusion
Choosing a suitable digger for your project should be done after careful analysis. Different projects require different diggers. Diggers come at different sizes and prices to cater to the needs of other clients.
