Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer

7 Types of Excavators So You Don't Choose The Wrong

Excavators themselves are classified as heavy equipment that is commonly used in the fields of construction, plantations to infrastructure development. These tools help ease human work.


A project will run smoother and faster when relying on a variety of tools. However, excavators are divided into several types. So it is mandatory to recognize it before deciding to use it.

Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. So it is necessary to adjust to the needs of the project. Do you need to dig in water, work on uneven terrain, haul debris and so on.

Generally a project requires heavy equipment to facilitate the activities of the workers. For example, using an excavator. However, it is necessary to choose between the following types.

1.Crawler

Crawler classified as a standard type of excavator. Maybe you also often come across this heavy equipment. Very commonly used in mining, landscape arrangement to digging trenches. Even able to work on uneven ground.

The name Crawler is derived from the chain wheels that the machine has. The wheels on the right and left make it look like a tank. However, the Crawler has a weakness in terms of slower movement than the Wheeled type.

2. Hydraulics

Hydraulic is very commonly used in mining and quarrying. Because, this tough machine has a large bucket capacity. So, it is very appropriate juxtaposed with strenuous activity.

3.Wheeled

The uniqueness of this type of heavy equipment excavator is the presence of rubber wheels. Wheeled machines are very commonly operated on flat and hard terrain. So different from the usual crawlers run on extreme terrain.

Wheeled is able to move and maneuver quickly, especially on concrete or asphalt terrain, but the disadvantage is that it does not work optimally on hilly or muddy terrain.

Wheeled is suitable for road construction work that provides flat terrain. So, do not use this tool when dealing with uneven terrain. Its use must be in accordance with its designation.

4. Suction

This type of excavator is most widely used for digging in cracked terrain, removing debris until it moves underground. Another term for this heavy equipment is vacuum excavator.

Suction has a number of features that help it reduce the potential for damage to areas prone to cracking. While the drawback is that the suction pipe is small in diameter so it is not suitable for large projects.

Even so, the suction power of this machine is quite high. Even capable of sucking up debris or soil at a speed of 320 km/h. This can happen because of the role of the water jet in the engine.

5. Long Reach

Long reach has long arms so it can reach quite a distance. Its range can even reach a distance of 30 meters from the steering engine. Usually used in reaching difficult areas.

Although capable of reaching far places, this type of excavator is not capable of digging in narrow spaces or terrain. More suitable for wide terrain. An example of the application of this tool is in the dredging of lakes or rivers.

6. Dragline

Dragline is generally used in port construction, underwater excavation, mining and so on. This machine has flat arm markings for more flexible movement.

7. Skid Steer

Skid Steer is commonly used in cleaning a location from material debris or garbage, besides the Skid Steer has a small shape so it can access narrow areas.

Each type of project will require a variety of heavy equipment. Before deciding to use one of the heavy equipment such as an excavator, first identify the type of excavator carefully.