Excavators are an essential piece of heavy machinery used across a wide range of industries, from construction to demolition and mining. They can perform a variety of tasks such as digging, lifting, grading, and demolition. However, like any piece of equipment, they come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages of excavators. Understanding these will help you make the best choice for your project needs.
Some people don’t know if they should use an excavator because most people don’t have one, and it is complex and expensive. They figure they will make a mistake and pick the wrong machine, so they spend more time and money using equipment that isn’t correct for the job. Over time, overpaying for the wrong equipment or not understanding the in-cab cost of a piece of machinery can lead to higher project costs and fewer profits. Failure to ask questions like, “Can someone teach me how to use a thumb on this?” or “Can I rent a machine with a thumb?” can keep you from moving forward with a job.
You may not know the in-cab cost of a piece of rental machinery in five minutes or use machine B instead of machine A. It is that simple. If you don’t understand the advantages of excavator, you won’t understand the disadvantages of excavator, either. This can result in you either not making any money using a machine at all or spending all your profit using the wrong equipment.
In this article, you will get solid insight into both the advantages and disadvantages of excavators. By the time you finish reading, you will know whether or not you need to run an excavator on your next project, or will it cost you a lot of money to use one on your project?
1. Advantages of Excavators
Excavators are widely recognized for their versatility, efficiency, and power. Here are some of the key benefits that make excavators indispensable on many job sites:
1.1. Versatility
Excavators are versatile and can do all kinds of things. They dig, carry stuff, grade, and they can even be used for demolition. They come in all shapes and sizes and have attachments available to help you get your job done. These attachments may include a bucket to dig with, a hydraulic hammer to break rocks, or even a thumb to pick stuff up quickly and move it, which can speed your job up and reduce costs:
- Digging: You can use an excavator to dig anything, including the trench for utility lines or a ditch for a drainage system to dig a hole to set a septic tank or dig footings for a building.
- Lifting and Moving: They not only lift heavy objects like a washing machine but use buckets for a thumb to move large amounts of weight like you would sand, gravel, and fill. Plus, they can quickly dump a load of dirt in five buckets on the ground, and you walk off. Or, use the thumb to pick up and dump it into a dump truck to spoil offsite and make money.
- paisajismo: You can also use an excavator to clear land, level off a parking lot, backfill a foundation, do any grading for any project, or even carve out a hill to create a level spot for a driveway or backyard. Using such a machine makes the job faster and easier than doing the work by hand.
- Demolición: You can even get a hydraulic hammer to put on the end of it to break rocks, sidewalks, driveways, or even old foundations out of the ground. So, you can see these machines are valuable to prepare your site, for landscape work or moving large rocks.
One of the best advantages of excavator is that you can use it for all these different jobs. It’s like having half a dozen different machines all in one.
1.2. Power and Efficiency
Excavators are heavy construction equipment built to perform specific, heavy-duty tasks. They dig, lift, grade and demolish with incredible strength, power, and efficiency. The hydraulics lift heavy materials, sometimes serving as strong as a crane to move heavy items.
- High Lifting Capacity: The same machine can lift and move heavy items. It doesn’t matter to them. They can pick up big rocks, sticks, limbs, concrete, or they can move large pipes. They can carry anything you need. It’s easy for them to lift and carry heavy items.
- Efficient Digging: The equipment shines when you need to dig deep into the earth. They can drive down into hard dirt or rock without any problems. That’s why you use an excavator to dig basements and wells, to dig footings for a foundation, or to dig trenches.
That power is also one of the advantages of excavator allows them to get your job done quickly and easily. You can finish the job faster and with less effort when you use the right equipment.
1.3. Mobility
The equipment can operate just about anywhere. They are designed to be very mobile, even though they weigh anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 pounds. It can creep around on rutted, rocky terrain or on flat, paved surfaces. There are two main types: track-mounted excavators and excavators with wheels. You choose the kind of machine to use based on where you have to work.
- Track-Mounted Excavators: If you’re working in the mud, or on a boggy or sandy soil, or on any surface where you wouldn’t want to sink, the track-mounted equipment works great because the track distributes the weight of the equipment over the area of the track, helping prevent the machine from sinking.
- Wheeled Excavators: If you have to go around fast, wheel-mounted equipment can usually run faster on smooth, hard surfaces like roads and parking lots. The people who dig up the streets in your town, or your city where you live, don’t use track-mounted excavators, they use wheel-mounted excavators.
As you can see, these machines are incredibly versatile. You can use them on nearly any jobsite, this is also one of the advantages of excavator which allows you to get use out of them on multiple projects, saving you money in the long run.
1.4. Precision and Control
Inside the cab, they have computer-controlled everything for really smooth movements. The operator operates the excavator with joysticks and foot pedals, raising and lowering the boom, extending and retracting the boom, curling and uncurling the bucket, and rotating the bucket left and right, all with extreme precision.
- Joystick Controls: The joysticks have nice little rollers on them for delicate adjustments. The operator can guide the bucket or boom with ultra-fine precision. It allows them to trench at just the right depth, or pick out all the garbage without getting the good stuff while you are cleaning up a property.
- Hydraulic Control: The elasticity in the hydraulic system cushions the blow at both ends of the motion, which is essential for safe and accurate operation. It cushions the blow, taking away the jerky starts and stops that would cause you to make mistakes, costing time and money.
You realize this isn’t important until your excavator won’t quite do what you need it to do—and then it really matters. Especially in tight spots or when you are placing delicate material, you don’t want a machine that only goes fast. This is one of the advantages of excavator.
2. Disadvantages of Excavators
Don’t get me wrong, excavators rock. There no better machine to do these jobs, but there are downsides to using an excavator:
2.1. High Initial Cost
One of the biggest disadvantages of excavators is their high purchase cost. Whether you’re buying a new or used machine, excavators can be a significant financial investment. Large excavators and those with specialized attachments can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- Purchase Cost: So, a new piece is very expensive, especially if you are a guy that owns a small landscaping company. If you can’t throw a rock and hit ten million-dollar bills, a nine hundred thousand dollar excavator is a substantial purchase.
- Rental Fees:If you can’t afford to buy one, then rent one. Renting can be just as expensive. You pay more, the shorter the time you rent. It’s nice not to have to go rent a machine, but when the bill comes in after two weeks, you get a case of sticker shock.
These costs can keep some people out of the market for an excavator. If they don’t have the cash to rent one, they’re out of luck. This is one of the disadvantages of excavator.
2.2. High Maintenance and Operating Costs
Excavators require regular maintenance to keep them operating efficiently. While they are durable machines, they still require attention to ensure they run smoothly. Maintenance costs can be high and include things like:
- Sistema hidráulico: It involves changing the hydraulic fluid, checking the pumps. You have to service the thing. You’ll find hydraulic leaks everywhere if you take care of it, especially if it’s a spread boom.
- Undercarriage Maintenance: The cost of replacement tracks or tires depends on the size and model of the excavator, but it can be a significant expense for owners and operators.
- Engine and Component Repairs: Industrial rubber tracks or steel tracks wear out, just like tires on a car. And they are expensive to replace. The cost of new tracks depends on the size and type of excavator you own, but they aren’t cheap.
Don’t forget to figure in the cost of fuel to run the excavator all day long and oil changes and filters and labor. You can easily turn it into a piss-poor paying job quickly! This is one of the disadvantages of excavator.
2.3. Limited Speed
They’re not fast, either. They are okay fast at what they do. But in between where they were and where you need dirt, they are slow. Way slow.
- Slow Travel Speed: Did you know air on the top side of an excavator track is faster than air on the bottom side of the track? The top speed of an excavator is walking speed, and that’s it. Even then, moving the machine is cheaper than hiring a low-boy. But it’s still slow. And it’s pretty hard to outrun a problem on one.
- Maneuverability in Tight Spaces: You’d think you could climb a tree with a backhoe, wouldn’t you? Nearly impossible. Don’t even try with an excavator. Believe me, I’ve tried. It’s like trying to ride a bicycle in the living room_objects are everywhere.
For projects that require fast transport or frequent movement of materials over long distances, excavators may not be the best choice. This is one of the disadvantages of excavator.
2.4. Safety Risks
As with all heavy machinery, excavators present certain safety risks, especially when not operated correctly. Some of the common safety concerns associated with excavators include:
- Operator Visibility: Excavators have blind spots (places the operator can’t see) all over the place, especially that back side we were just talking about. These blind spots can hide people on the job site, equipment, rocks, stumps, and just about anything else you can think of.
- Rollover Risk: Excavators can tip over if they are used on steep slopes or uneven ground, especially if the load is improperly balanced.
- Falling Objects: Excavators are often used to lift heavy materials, and there is a risk that materials could fall from the bucket and cause injury or damage.
Proper training and the use of safety equipment are essential to minimize these risks and ensure safe operation on the job site. This is one of the disadvantages of excavator.
3. How to Maximize the Benefits of Your Excavator
Now that you understand the advantages and disadvantages of excavators, it’s essential to learn how to maximize the benefits of your excavator. Proper handling, routine maintenance, and the right selection of attachments are key factors that can help ensure you get the most out of your excavator.
3.1. Regular Maintenance and Inspections
To keep your excavator running efficiently and prolong its lifespan, regular maintenance and inspections are critical. Preventive maintenance can help identify and fix minor issues before they become major problems. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
- Hydraulic System Checks: Make sure the hydraulic fluid is at the proper level and inspect hoses for any leaks. The hydraulic system is crucial for the movement of the boom, bucket, and other attachments, so keeping it in optimal condition is vital.
- Track and Undercarriage Inspection: Check for wear on the tracks or tires, as this can affect the stability and mobility of the excavator. Regularly clean the undercarriage to prevent dirt and debris buildup, which can lead to costly repairs.
- Engine and Component Inspection: Inspect the engine, filters, and components to ensure they’re clean and functioning properly. Regular oil changes and air filter replacements will keep your engine running smoothly.
Proper maintenance can significantly reduce downtime and repair costs in the long run, ensuring that your excavator stays in good working order.
3.2. Operator Training and Best Practices
A well-trained operator can make a significant difference in the performance of your excavator. Poor operation can lead to accidents, costly damage, and unnecessary wear. To maximize the efficiency and safety of your machine:
- Proper Training: Ensure that all operators are fully trained in how to handle the excavator and its various attachments. Training should include safe operation techniques, such as how to control the machine in different conditions and how to operate attachments.
- Daily Inspections: Operators should perform basic inspections at the start of each shift to ensure everything is functioning properly. This includes checking the hydraulic system, engine fluids, and safety equipment.
- Load Limits: Never exceed the recommended load limits of your excavator. Overloading can put unnecessary strain on the hydraulic system and the machine’s frame, leading to early wear and potential failure.
By investing in proper training and adherence to best practices, you can ensure that your excavator is used efficiently and safely.
3.3. Choosing the Right Attachments
One of the most significant advantages of excavators is their ability to accept a wide variety of attachments, each designed for different tasks. Choosing the right attachment for the job can greatly improve the productivity of your excavator. Some popular attachments include:
- Cubos: Different bucket types are designed for different soil types and applications. Use a general-purpose bucket for digging in soft soils, and a heavy-duty bucket for harder or rocky materials.
- Hydraulic Breakers: These attachments are ideal for breaking concrete or rock. They are commonly used in demolition and mining projects.
- Grapples: Perfect for handling materials like logs, scrap, or other large, awkward objects.
- Augers: Great for drilling holes in soil or rock for fencing, posts, and utilities.
Having a variety of attachments for your excavator allows you to quickly adapt to the specific demands of any project, increasing efficiency and versatility.
4. Conclusion: Is an Excavator Right for You?
There are many advantages of excavator, including versatility, power, precision, and mobility. However, they also come with some disadvantages of excavator, such as high costs, maintenance expenses, and safety concerns. Ultimately, the decision to use an excavator depends on the specific requirements of your project.
If you’re tackling large-scale excavation, demolition, or lifting tasks, an excavator is likely the right machine for the job. However, if you’re concerned about cost, maintenance, or speed, you may want to explore other equipment options or rental services.
By carefully weighing the advantages and disadvantages of excavators, you can make a more informed decision and select the equipment that best suits your needs.
