Excavators Buyer's Guide

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Excavators are one of the most popular pieces of construction equipment today. Their versatility makes them useful in a range of applications from demolition to landscaping, but their main business is and always will be digging. Trenches for pipes and wires, foundations, road construction — whatever digging needs to be done, an excavator can do it quickly and easily.

An excavator consists of a cab, bulldozer tracks or wheels, a boom arm, and an attachment.

• The cab, where the operator sits, is usually enclosed and often climate-controlled. Excavator cabs can pivot 360° on top of the tracks and should provide good visibility in all directions.
• Full-sized excavators usually run on steel tracks. Steel tracks are durable and provide good traction on loose dirt, but can damage pavement or other surfaces. Wheeled excavators use air-filled or solid rubber tires instead of tracks to reduce this damage.
• The boom is the arm that moves the attachment. Some excavators have telescoping booms for increased reach. Some excavators — usually smaller models — offer "boom offset," which allows the entire arm to move left or right of center. This allows the excavator to dig a trench parallel to its own tracks, which is much more efficient than having to reposition the machine constantly.
• The attachment does the actual work. Most excavators come with a standard bucket — a toothed scoop for digging into dirt or gravel — but can support many other types of attachments. Look for an excavator with a "quick attach" coupler that lets you switch attachments without getting out of the cab. Common attachments include clamshell buckets, thumbs (pinching/gripping tools), and hydraulic hammers.

Full-sized excavators range in size from eight to 60 tons, with the most popular models around 20 to 40 tons. Excavators have a rated "dig depth" — the limit of how deep they can dig — which is typically between 20 and 25 feet. Other specifications to check include reach (how far the bucket can extend from the base, at ground level) and loading height (how high the scoop can reach to dump its contents). Bucket capacity ranges from less than one cubic foot to over 15 cubic feet.

Features and considerations

• Minimal tail swing. If you'll be using your excavator in tight spaces, consider how much space the cab needs to pivot. Excavators with small tail swing can reduce the chances of bumping anything with the "tail" or back part of the cab.
• Ease of use. Ergonomic controls in excavators are generally easy to learn and use for extended periods of time. If possible, let the primary operator try out different models for comfort and visibility.
• Maintenance. Excavators need regular maintenance and cleaning — check how easy it is to access the engine and hydraulic systems.
• Depth monitors. When working 20' below ground, it can be hard to gauge exactly what's going on. Many excavators include GPS or laser-based depth monitors that can help you dig to exact tolerances.
• Control systems. Joystick controls and sophisticated electronics have made excavators both easier to operate and more efficient. Computer-controlled hydraulic systems reduce emissions to meet strict guidelines, yet provide more power when needed for strenuous digging.

Excavator pricing
Simply put, new excavators are expensive pieces of machinery: they can range from $100,000 to $500,000. The "compact" category, ranging from 10 to 20 tons, averages around $130,000, while mid-tier excavators in the 30 to 40 ton range, average around $275,000. For smaller jobs and use in tighter quarters, a separate class of vehicle called mini excavators can be a huge money saver.

• Consider used. Excavators are built with 8,000 to 10,000 hours expected operating lifespan, so many used models are available with good usage ahead of them. Two to three year old models with a couple of thousand hours on them can be about 25% cheaper than new models, while older compact excavators with a little more wear are 50% or less of new prices. If you are going to depend on the excavator for your day-to-day work, you should probably invest in a new machine, but if you're only going to use it occasionally, used can be a great way to save money.
• What service will you get? The right dealer will make a big difference to the success of your compact excavator purchase. A dealer who will send technicians to your shop, or come and pick your excavator up when it needs significant repairs, can really help you get the most out of your purchase.
• Keep long-term needs in mind. Build in flexibility to expand or decrease your system or service commitment in future years.
• Balance low prices with good service. Do not simply purchase the lowest price deal — seriously consider the ongoing service you will receive.
• Flesh out all the fees. Very attractive pricing that is asterisked with "additional fees may apply" should be thoroughly investigated before you sign up.
• Make the most of references. References can be a tremendously useful source of information about your potential vendor. Ask them specific questions about what works and doesn't work with the vendor. To ensure a similar experience, speak with businesses comparable to yours.