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Different Types of Excavator

May. 25 2022 Buying Guide By 56 Auto Sales

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When you need a lot of earthy material moved in a timely and efficient manner, you need an excavator. But these massive machines come in many shapes, sizes, and types, so getting the right one can be tricky.

We here at 56 Auto Sales want to help you find the best tool for the job, so we’ve put together a few of the more common types of excavator below to help you find the right match. To learn more, or to see the excavators we have for sale, contact our store in London, Ohio, today!

Crawlers

Crawler excavators are some of the most common models. These machines use two tracks to move and rely on hydraulic mechanisms to lift and dig. They’re handy for navigating slopes and natural terrains like dirt and sand, and they can haul heavy loads. These features make crawler excavators great for:

  • Mining
  • Trench-digging
  • Grading
  • Construction

Track Loaders & Skid-Steers

Track loaders are smaller versions of the crawler that use a boom lift rather than a jointed hydraulic arm for lifting and digging. The tracks still allow them to easily navigate slight inclines and natural terrains.

Skid-steers are similar to track loaders but utilize four wheels rather than two tracks. Both models are more common in residential and small-scale projects. Where track loaders are better at natural, looser terrains, a skid-steer’s four wheels make it perfect for driving on pavement and hard-packed earth.

Draglines

Dragline excavators are much larger machines that use a hoist rope system to move the bucket towards or away from the operator. They’re better at underwater tasks than hydraulic systems or boom lifts and are used for:

  • Road excavation
  • Pile driving
  • Canal dreading

Long-Reach

These excavators are similar to crawlers, though larger. As the name might suggest, the primary difference is the extendable arm that allows it to reach much farther distances, often between around 40 to 100 feet away. They’re great for accessing high places and are used for:

  • Structural crumpling
  • Breaking down walls
  • Heavy-duty digging

Suction

These excavators are also sometimes called vacuum excavators. They utilize high-pressure vacuums and water jets to move debris within pipes, allowing it to transport that debris at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour! This allows for the clearing of loose material and debris and lowers the risk of damaging the cargo or losing it by over 50%. These machines are used most often for:

  • Underground projects
  • Delicate digging
  • Clearing debris

Ready to get started? Contact us at 56 Auto Sales for more information, or to see the excavators we have available. We proudly serve the people of Springfield, Dayton, and Columbus, Ohio—let us serve you today!