AssetTrader Buying Guide to Excavators

Introduction

At AssetTrader we understand how big an investment it can be buying an excavator. And it’s important to understand which machine you need for the type of jobs you’ll be doing to get the most out of that investment. Utilizing the right piece of equipment will bring the highest productivity and cost effectiveness to every construction project.

Functionality and Use

The excavator is the essential all around tool, but they’re mostly used for digging. Whether you need to dig trenches for pipes, foundations, wires or road construction the excavation can do the job quickly and easily.

The Boom- This is the arm that moves the attachment or bucket used for scooping and digging. Full size excavators have telescoping booms for extended reach; smaller models have smaller booms which work better in tight spaces. Smaller models also have a “boom offset” which allows the entire arm to dig trenches or holes parallel to its’ own tracks, saving the laborious and time consuming job of constantly repositioning the machine.

The attachment- The most common attachments are the clamshell buckets, thumbs used for pinching or gripping tools and hydraulic hammers. Look out for excavators that have a “quick attach” coupler that lets you switch attachments without getting out of the cab, saving time and money.