Whether you’re looking to hire or buy an excavator, you need to understand the seven different types and each one’s pros and cons. 

The biggest difference between the various models is the size. This then affects the machine’s range of mobility and its lift and digging capabilities. The excavator you need will depend on working conditions and job requirements. Here is a brief overview of 3 types.

Crawler Excavator – Used for mining, grading and trench digging. Good for uneven terrain but slower than a wheeled excavator.

Wheeled Excavator – Used for jobs on hard flat surfaces. Fast and easy to move on concrete but won’t work well on muddy/hilly terrain.

Suction Excavator – Used for fragile digging jobs, debris cleanup, and underground projects. It is good as it lessens the chance of damaging surrounding areas, but the suction pipe is usually only 30cm or less in diameter, so it is not good for large-scale projects.