Critical Factors for Choosing the Right Crawler Excavator

Also known as crawling diggers or tracked excavators, crawler excavators are tracked vehicles designed for tasks such as digging, grading, loading, and moving earth or large objects. These machines dominate the market and are currently among the fastest-selling earthmoving equipment in the industry.

Crawler excavators are commonly used on construction sites for various tasks, including digging trenches, holes, and foundations, as well as handling materials, moving earth, demolition, dredging, and more. If you're a contractor or construction company owner considering purchasing a crawler excavator, here are five key factors you should take into account...

Ground conditions:

Assessing the ground conditions is crucial when selecting the appropriate excavator for a jobsite. Crawler excavators are particularly effective for excavating, grading, and site development, and can be equipped with a variety of attachments for these tasks. Some models feature reduced-tail-swing configurations, making them ideal for confined commercial or residential job sites, as well as new road and bridge construction projects. If the ground is loose or slurry, it's recommended to choose a crawler excavator with a longer body and a wider track shoe configuration for better stability and adaptability.

Machine stability:

This is another important factor to be considered before selecting any heavy equipment like a crawler excavator. Generally, crawler excavators are the best for heavy-duty digging and lifting applications as they can maintain great contact with the ground due to their tracked undercarriage, thereby, creating a stable machine (as against the wheel excavators that depend on their tires, a dozer blade, and outriggers for their stability). In fact, the tracks of the crawler excavator offer excellent traction and a good mass distribution over their entire contact surface.

Transportation cost:

Unlike wheel excavators, crawler excavators lack wheels and are not easily transported by road. If you plan to move a crawler excavator between multiple job sites, it's essential to factor in the transportation costs upfront. Crawler hydraulic excavators require appropriately sized trailers for transportation, which increases their overall cost compared to wheel excavators. However, in mining or quarry applications where the excavator remains at a single location for its entire lifespan, transportation is not a concern. Generally, crawler excavators are preferred in situations where the equipment does not need to be moved frequently across uneven or soft ground. Additionally, their travel speed is limited to around 6 km/h, making them suitable for tasks where long-distance movement is not required.

Attachment versatility:

When deciding on a crawler excavator, it's crucial to consider its ability to be paired with various attachments. This flexibility allows you to perform a wide range of tasks on the jobsite. Common attachments for crawler excavators include hydraulic breakers for demolishing structures or concrete, grapples for land clearing, clamshells for material unloading, quick couplers for faster tool changes, trenching buckets for digging foundation footings or excavating for utilities, and plate compactors for finishing trenches.

Maintenance requirements:

Since crawler excavators are designed for use in challenging and uneven terrain, their undercarriage is made up of many moving parts and wear components that require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance. Before making a purchase, it's essential to consider the long-term maintenance costs of the machine to keep it running smoothly and minimize downtime.

In addition to the factors mentioned earlier, there are other important considerations when purchasing a crawler excavator. One of these is the incorporation of innovative technologies. As the market evolves, equipment equipped with advanced electronic systems, GPS, and telematics is becoming increasingly popular. Innovations are also being made to improve the communication between the engine and hydraulics, resulting in enhanced workgroup efficiency and better fuel economy. As a contractor or construction company owner, it’s essential to evaluate whether the crawler excavator you're considering includes these smart, technology-driven features.

Additionally, cost is another critical factor to consider. You may have a budget in mind, and ensuring that the equipment fits within that budget while meeting your needs is important. Therefore, a variety of factors should be carefully weighed when selecting the right crawler excavator for your projects.