Excavator Size Guide: How to Choose the Right- ...

Excavator Size Guide: How to Choose the Right Excavator

Contact us to discuss your requirements for excavator boom arm bucket. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Choosing the right-size excavator is crucial to the success of a project. These pieces of heavy machinery play a major role in completing jobs involving digging but can also be used for several other tasks. Don't invest in an excavator until you know how to choose the right excavator size and what each attachment and feature can offer.

Before you pick an excavator, take time to do your research and be fully informed about the different sizes of excavators as well as other critical factors that go into picking the best excavator for your needs.

Excavator Size Guide

Any excavator size comparison needs to cover the three main sizes of the machinery: small, medium, and large. Choosing the right-sized excavator starts with being aware of the differences between the primary types. Learn more about the primary sizes of excavators below:

Find the Right Excavator for Your Project

Built for tough work, Caterpillar® Excavators deliver Cat reliability, durability, and efficient operation.

BROWSE OUR EXCAVATORS

Small Excavators

Small excavators, often referred to as compacts or minis, are excavators designed to be used in hard-to-reach areas and for jobs that don't require too much power.

Due to their small size, they are one of the most versatile types of excavators. Companies use these models for subdivision sewer repairs, foundational repair, in-building work, and water line installs.

Medium Excavators

Mid-sized or midi excavators make up a large percentage of the excavators used in a variety of industries. Typically, they’re used in utilities, landscaping, road and bridge construction, and building construction. There are a few different types of excavators available in this size that come in a standard tail design or in a minimum or zero radius construction.

Large Excavators

Large excavators are considered standard in the industry. As such, they’re referred to as full-size or standard exclusive models.

These are the least mobile excavators, and the heavier they get, the harder it will be to navigate tough terrain with them. However, they make up for this lack of mobility with their top-tier power.

7 Things to Consider When Choosing the Right Excavator

Before you buy or rent an excavator, you should be knowledgeable about the different options available to you in addition to the three main sizes. There's a range of other attachments and features that excavators offer. Here's what you should consider:

1. Bucket Capacity: Bucket size relates directly to how much you can pick up or fit into your excavator's bucket. It's typically a good idea to have a variety of bucket sizes available at a worksite.
2. Reach Length: The length of your excavator's reach is crucial for jobs requiring a longer reach. For example, some jobs may benefit from a long reach attachments.
3. Transportation and Access: Consider how you'll get the excavator to the job site and navigate the area. Choose an excavator that matches your geographic needs.
4. Dig Depth: Review your required dig depths before you rent or purchase an excavator.
5. Lifting Capacity: This refers to how much weight the excavator can handle. It's crucial if you plan to handle heavy materials.
6. Hydraulics: Look for machines with hydraulic systems that allow you to use necessary attachments, such as compactors, magnets, breakers, shears, and grapples.
7. Cost: Larger excavators are often more expensive, but choosing a less powerful model to get a lower price can cost you more in the long run.

When to Use a Mini Excavator

A mini excavator's compact size makes it ideal for tight spaces and locations requiring a softer touch. They are powerful enough to handle tasks quickly and efficiently. Some primary scenarios for using mini excavators include:

• Crowded Worksites: These excavators are faster to navigate and safer to use in crowded conditions.
• Appearance Concerns: Mini excavators are preferred in landscaping due to minimal ground damage and fewer track marks.
• Multiple Sites: They're easier to transport between locations, often without requiring a specialized license.

Excavator Parts and Functions

As you pick out an excavator, familiarize yourself with its main components:

• Undercarriage: Enables machine movement, provides traction, and supports weight.
• House: Contains the engine, boom, and cabin, providing a pivot for 360-degree rotation.
• Cab: The operator's area, with controls and often advanced tech and ergonomic features.
• Boom: A hydraulically-articulated arm where attachments like buckets, clamps, and augers are connected.
• Backfill Blade: A bulldozer-style blade mounted on the rear for additional tasks.

Types of Excavator Attachments

Excavator attachments increase functionality. Some main attachments include:

• Buckets: Versatile for digging, carrying, and ditch cleaning.
• Auger: Useful for working through tough soil and creating deep holes.
• Couplers: Allow fast switching between attachments.
• Clamps: Ideal for picking up oversized materials.
• Breaker: Breaks through strong surfaces like concrete and stone.
• Hammers: Powerful tools for demolition and pavement destruction.

Should I Rent or Buy an Excavator?

Deciding whether to rent or buy an excavator hinges on your usage frequency and financial capacity. Companies that anticipate using excavators for many future projects may opt to buy, while rentals are suitable for temporary or infrequent jobs. Owning an excavator involves responsibilities like storage, transportation, and maintenance. Renting alleviates some of these burdens but owning ensures equipment availability at all times, which might prevent project delays.

Why Choose a Cat® Excavator?

Cat® excavators are industry leaders providing the best equipment available. They offer exceptional fuel economy, comply with U.S. EPA standards, and have power options for a wide range of applications. Cat excavators are easy to control, equipped with the latest tech, and come with a standard Cat warranty, along with operator and technician training if desired.

Choose Louisiana Cat for Your Excavator Needs

At Louisiana Cat, we offer a vast selection of excavators to help you complete projects effectively and quickly. For four generations, we've provided companies across Louisiana with durable, versatile, and powerful machinery. If you are looking for more information, visit our section on long reach attachments.

Ready to harness the power of a Cat excavator? Find a location near you or contact us online or at (866) 843-7440 for more details.