Every industry has its own specific lingo and to not feel as an outsider when shopping for a mini excavator, it is beneficial to learn some of the common excavator terms. Below are common excavator terms that you should know:
- Undercarriage: it includes tracks, tracks frame, final drive, and dozer blade. Often mini excavators under 2 tons could be equipped with the retractable / extendable tracks that allows to change the total width of the mini excavator. Retractable tracks are especially useful when trying to get through narrow spaces like backyard gates and even man doors
- Tracks: Excavator tracks are like tires for the car. Most common type of tracks for the mini excavator made from rubber and look like rubber belts. Inside rubber tracks there is metal wire core to increase tracks longevity. Use of tracks result in lower ground pressure and better maneuverability when comparing to wheel option, but the trade of is travel speed. Wheeled excavators can generally travel faster than tracked
- Grousers: are protrusions molded into rubber crawler-track that are designed to grip the ground. They are often used on excavators to improve traction while driving over rough surfaces. Grouser type influences the level of impact a mini excavator will have on the ground. Aggressive grousers will provide better traction, but they will also be more damaging to the ground and that is a point to consider when traversing over vegetation
- Sprocket: The sprocket is part of the excavator's track system that connects the drive wheel to the track and enables tracks to move. The sprocket is usually composed of metal disc with teeth on the outside edge that interlock with the track's teeth.
- Rollers: They are a cylindrical-shaped component located in the center of the undercarriage and work to support the weight of the machine. Rollers are made up of several parts including an axle, a bearing, and a wheel. The axle holds the bearing in place, while the wheel helps move the excavator along. Rollers help reduce friction, keep tracks aligned and increase efficiency while the excavator is in motion.
- Idlers: They are located at the front of the undercarriage to support the track chain, provide traction and regulate tension. They help to keep the track in alignments and reduce vibration while the machine is in operation.
- Rock Guard: Rock Guard is a steel plate used to prevent dirt, debris, and other foreign objects from getting into the track of an excavator, thus protecting it and ensuring its longevity. It also provides additional support for operation in rocky or uneven terrain
- Ground Clearance: Also known as ride height, ground clearance is the space between the lowest part of the excavator and the surface below it. It is important for an excavator to have enough ground clearance so that it can travel on rough terrain without damaging the undercarriage.
- Ground Pressure: An excavator ground pressure is a measure of the amount of force an excavator can exert on the ground. An excavator's ground pressure will increase or decrease based on the weight of the excavator and load being hauled. Increasing the size of the contact area (footprint) on the ground in relation to weight decreases unit ground pressure. The lower the pressure, the easier it is to move through soft terrain like marshes or swamps. Low ground pressure equipment spreads the weight of an excavator over a larger surface, enabling it to work through soft ground that most standard machines cannot handle. This enables the excavator to perform heavy tasks in wetlands, swamps and other soft areas that would be impossible for a wheeled excavator to do. This also saves on the cost of reclaiming the area after the construction project is complete by reducing the damage caused to the ground.
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Track Frame: An excavator track frame is an assembly of welded steel plates used to support the undercarriage of a crawler machine. It is typically comprised of X-frame or H-frame, both of which are designed to provide the best balance between lightness and torsional rigidity. Typical parts of the track frame include a pair of bottom rollers, top roller, front idler and sprocket. Depending on the type of undercarriage, a track adjuster may also be located behind the front idler to maintain correct track tension.
- Final Drive: The excavator final drive performs the same function as the transmission in a car. It is responsible for transferring the engine's power to the tracks or wheels of the excavator. It is made up of two or more planetary gears that are connected in series, allowing the power to be split in two directions. This gives the excavator the ability to move forward, backward, and rotate. The final drive also has a hydraulic motor that controls the excavator’s speed and power. It is responsible for translating the engine’s power into torque, which is then used to move the tracks or wheels. Without the final drive, an excavator would not be able to move.
- Excavator track drives: are an integral part of an excavator's powertrain, providing the majority of the power to move the excavator. They are typically composed of a drive motor, drive sprocket, and track chains, which are connected to the track shoes. The drive motor powers the sprocket, which drives the track chains to move the track shoes. This gives the excavator the capability to move in any direction and makes it ideal for digging, grading, and other earthmoving tasks.
- Dozer Blade or Backfill Blade: it is a blade located in the front of the excavator between the tracks or wheels. This blade has the ability to go up and down and can be used for pushing excess material, providing additional support while digging and to help lift mini excavator’s undercarriage to retract or extend tracks. Mini excavators with retractable tracks will be equipped with dozer bladed that have adjustable width
- Cab: An excavator cab is the protective housing over the operator's seat. It is designed to shield the operator from sun, wind, noise, dust, and other elements. It also can provide operator comfort features like air conditioning and heater. It typically has windows on all sides that allow the operator to have a full view of the work area, and some come with a boom-mounted camera to give the operator a full view of the excavation. The cab is an integral part of the excavator, providing the operator with a safe and comfortable working environment.
- Main Control Valve: It regulates the hydraulic pressure and flow going to the hydraulic actuators which control the movement of the excavator’s arm and bucket. The main control valve is normally located in the cab of the excavator, and consists of a series of levers and valves that allow the operator to control the speed, pressure, and direction of the excavator’s movements. The main control valve typically consists of two main parts: the control valve and the pressure reducing valve. The control valve is responsible for regulating the pressure going to the actuators, while the pressure reducing valve ensures that the pressure going to the actuators is within the manufacturer’s recommended limits.
- ROPS: Mini excavator Rollover Protection System (ROPS) is a device designed to protect the operator of a mini excavator from the risk of death or serious injury in the event of a rollover incident. It is composed of a metal frame that is mounted to the upper part of the cab, which acts as a barrier between the operator and potential impact points. Usually frame is connected to the base of the cab by two lateral bars and two vertical bars. The ROPS is designed to keep the cab upright if a rollover does occur, thus providing the operator with a safe space in which to take shelter. Additionally, the ROPS includes safety features such as seatbelts, fire suppression systems, and alarms. These features are essential for the safety of the operator and the excavator in the event of a rollover incident.
- Boom: The term boom refers to the section of an excavator that extends outward from the cab. This section is used to hold the arm, bucket and attachments. Some excavators are equipped with swing boom that can also move from side to side in addition to up and down
- Dipper Arm or Stick: The dipper arm is the long, movable arm on the excavator that has a bucket or other attachment mounted at the end. It is used to pick up and move materials like dirt, rocks, and gravel. The arm can also use various attachments to cut and shape material, break up chunks of rock, and drill deep into the ground. It is an incredibly versatile piece of equipment that allows for a wide range of construction tasks.
- Bucket: An excavator bucket, is the part of an excavator that holds the material during excavation. It is connected to the excavator's boom and arm and is used as the digging tool. The bucket is designed to dig, lift, and carry materials such as soil, sand, gravel, rocks, and debris. It is usually composed of a steel flat blade with edges that are curved or rounded to make it easier to dig into the ground. The curved edges also make it easier to lift the material out of the hole. The bucket has a wide range of sizes depending on the type of excavation and the material that needs to be moved. It can also be attached to additional tools.
- Ram / Hydraulic Cylinder: An excavator hydraulic ram is an essential component of any excavator, and is responsible for providing the power needed to operate the machine. The hydraulic ram is connected to the excavator's hydraulic pump, and the pressure created by the pump is used to move a piston inside the ram. This piston is connected to a rod, which is in turn connected to the boom, bucket, and other attachments. The movement of the piston causes the boom and other attachments to move as desired. The hydraulic ram is a key component of an excavator as it provides the necessary power to make the machine operate. Most mini excavators will have at least four hydraulic rams which are used to move the boom, arm, attachment and dozer blade.
- Hydraulic Cylinder Shield: An excavator hydraulic cylinder shield is a device used to protect hydraulic cylinders from being damaged by foreign objects. It is typically composed of a metal or plastic shield, which is connected to the hydraulic cylinder and provides a continuous protective layer. It is designed to keep the hydraulic system safe from debris and other materials that could potentially cause damage. The shield also helps to reduce the chance of hydraulic fluid leakage and keeps the hydraulic system clean and functioning optimally.
- Counterweight: An excavator counterweight is a heavy object that is attached to the back of the excavator. Its purpose is to balance the excavator while it is in use. The counterweight adds extra weight to the back end of the machine, allowing the operator to move more comfortably and with more control while digging. It is typically made of cast iron or steel.
- Swamp Pad: Excavator swamp pads are mats made of durable hardwood timbers or metal that are used to provide stability and safety for heavy machinery and workers when working in soft soil environments
- Operating weight: An excavator operating weight is the total weight of the excavator, including all of its components, such as the cab, engine, tracks, and attachments. This weight is important because it determines the stability of the machine, which plays a significant role in its safety, performance, and efficiency. The excavator's operating weight is also a key factor in deciding which types of jobs it is suitable for and the types of terrains it can traverse.
- Maximum bucket force: This is the amount of force that the excavator can apply to a material such as dirt or soil. The maximum bucket force is determined by the size and power of the excavator and is usually expressed in units of kilonewtons or pounds. It is an important factor to consider as it directly impacts the types of projects that the excavator can take on and the how fast it can be completed
- Maximum digging depth: Just like the term states, it means how deep an excavator can dig. It depends on various factors, including the size of the bucket, the length of the arm, and the power of the engine. Keep in mind that digging at the maximum depth of the excavator might not be the most efficient process
- Maximum digging height: The maximum digging height of an excavator is the highest point it is capable of reaching when digging. This height is determined by the length of its boom and its reach, as well as how much weight the excavator can handle. Similarly to the mini exactor's maximum digging depth, it is not the most efficient process to dig at such height. It is recommended to purchase mini excavators with greater maximum values than actually required for your project.
- Maximum dumping height: The maximum dumping height of an excavator is the highest point to which the excavator’s bucket or dipper can be raised while carrying a load. Please note that dumping at maximum height is not the most efficient use of the excavator
- Reach: A reach of the mini excavator refers to the boom reach of the excavator, which is the distance from the base of the machine to the end of the boom arm. It determines how far away the excavator can dig while remaining stationary. This can be beneficial in certain applications, such as when excavating in tight spaces
If you are looking to buy a mini excavator, review JoyT5 excavators for sale in Calgary. If needed, we will be happy to assist you with arranging shipping for your excavator all over Canada
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