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So many jobs start with digging - from construction and utility work to paving and landscaping - that all kinds of businesses rely on full-sized excavators for their day-to-day operations. Independent contractors with one excavator as well as large construction firms with a fleet of several agree that they're one of the most useful pieces of construction equipment you can buy.
All manufacturers define their segments slightly differently, but there are three general classes of excavators to consider. Standard full-sized excavators range from about 20,000 lbs and 75 HP to 80,000 lbs and 220 HP, or from around 10 to 40 metric tons.
Many manufacturers also offer high-end machines that top 150,000 lbs and 400 HP, but these huge machines are far beyond most buyers' needs. At the opposite end of the size spectrum, mini excavators provide great digging power in small packages - down to 3,000 lbs and 15 HP, and at much lower initial and operating costs. Read our Mini Excavator Buyer's Guide for more details.
This BuyerZone Excavators Buyer's Guide provides all the essentials you need to know before buying a full-sized excavator:
Once you determine what best fits your needs, we can provide you with free custom quotes from multiple excavator sellers in your area.
As you begin the process of comparing excavators, the first step is to familiarize yourself with the specific features and attachments available. The great thing about an excavator is the extensive range of options you have, enabling you to select the tool or tools that will make any job easier, safer, and more successful overall.
An excavator consists of a cab, an engine, dual bulldozer-like tracks or treads, a boom arm, and an attachment.
Switching between multiple attachments lets you get much more use out of your excavator. Different sizes and styles of buckets are used for different types of digging:
Other common attachments include augers for boring holes and thumbs for pinching or gripping, as well as hydraulic hammers, rakes, rippers, and mulchers. Most excavators are used for one or two dedicated tasks, but the flexibility is there for more niche applications.
Some excavators use "quick attach" couplers that make it much easier to switch between attachments. If you intend to swap attachments frequently, a quick attach coupler can save a lot of time at the job site.
Now that you know what the machines are capable of, it's time to apply that knowledge to your job. Your next step is to consider the requirements associated with your facility and the terrain in which you'll operate the excavator in.
One of the challenges in buying an excavator is deciding what size machine you need. Here are three sizing considerations to keep in mind:
A related but less critical consideration is the physical size of the machine. Measure any narrow gates or other confined areas you want to be able to drive the excavator through, and you'll have an upper limit on how large a machine you can buy.
The best approach for the long term is to buy an excavator that meets your needs without too much excess capacity. In addition to costing more up front, larger machines cost more to operate even when they're doing the same work.
Once you know which models meet your size requirements, you'll want to compare additional attributes that can vary from one excavator to another.
One important aspect of an excavator purchase is independent of the machine itself: choosing a sellership that will stand behind your excavator and make sure you get the most out of your investment.
Specifically, make sure the seller you choose can provide excellent service and maintenance. The more responsive and competent the service department is, the fewer breakdowns you'll have and the less downtime you'll experience when you do have a problem.
Here are some questions to ask to make sure you get a good sense of the seller's expertise:
Definitely visit the seller's facility - don't be content ordering over the or on the Web. Simply seeing the parts warehouse and service areas can give you a good sense of the seller's capabilities.
If you're new to buying excavators, take every advantage of demo opportunities. Having an excavator delivered to your site for a demo will give you the best sense of how it handles and if it's suitable for your applications. Buyers who have more experience with different brands may not need a full demo, but they should still take the time to try out new models.
Word of mouth is an important measure of the overall quality of a construction equipment seller, so talking to other businesses in your area can be very useful. Talk to your contacts and get their opinions on the sellers you're evaluating.
You can also ask the seller for customer references, preferably customers with applications similar to yours. When checking references, you can ask questions such as:
Lastly, trust your instincts. A pushy seller who seems more interested in selling you the "deal of the day" than in understanding your needs and providing the best solution for you is one you should avoid. Helpful and knowledgeable salespeople are a good indicator of a sellership that will be a worthwhile partner in the long run.
Excavators are one of the most expensive pieces of construction equipment you can buy. So it's critical to have a solid understanding of the price ranges for new and used machines. These cost estimates are compiled from current BuyerZone customers and our leading national sellers throughout the United States.
Excavators are one of the most expensive pieces of construction equipment you can buy. New full-sized excavators can cost $100,000 to $500,000 and more. Those costs send many buyers looking for used machines, but even used excavators can cause sticker shock.
See what other BuyerZone users have paid for both new and used excavators.
The most common sizes, around 15 to 20 metric tons (33,000 to 44,000 pounds), typically range from $120,000 to $200,000 new; 10- to 15-ton machines can be from around $90,000 to $150,000; and 30- to 40-ton excavators may go for $250,000 to $350,000.
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You'll usually get one bucket included with your purchase, so make sure you get one that matches your primary application. New buckets in additional sizes can cost between $700 and $5,000, depending on the size and intended use. Powered attachments like thumbs and hydraulic hammers can cost $5,000 to $10,000.
Considering the substantial cost of new excavators, buying used machines can be a smart way to save money. Life spans of up to 8,000 or 10,000 hours are typical, and many used models are available with plenty of reliable operating life ahead of them.
That doesn't mean a used excavator will be cheap, though. Two- to three-year-old models with 1,000 hours of use on them can cost about 25% less than new models, but even that discount would only bring a 20-ton excavator down from $250,000 to $187,500.
Be careful of heavily discounted excavators. While older excavators with more wear can be found for as much as 50% off new prices, the reliability and expected life spans of these models really start to suffer. A $30,000 excavator may offer short-term savings but won't provide the performance you expect in the long run.
When evaluating used machines, demos are even more important than they are with new machines. Pay attention to the overall feel: do the tracks run freely in both directions? Do the boom and stick respond well to the controls? Are rotation and travel smooth and consistent?
Don't be impressed by a fresh coat of paint - while that can mean the seller is paying attention to detail, it can also sometimes mean they are hiding other problems. Look for fresh welds and other signs of repair.
Inspect the undercarriage and bushings for excessive wear, rust, and shoddy repair work. Look at the hydraulic seals for signs of leaks or other problems, and check the engine for signs of neglect (cracking hoses, worn belts, etc.).
Renting is a great way to gauge the power of an excavator without committing to a purchase. It can also be a smart course if you only need to use one sporadically. Excavator rental prices can range from 20,000 to 40,000 lbs can be $3,000 to $5,000 per month, while machines from 40,000 to 75,000 lbs are typically $5,000 to $8,000 per month.
Most sellers will offer a range of maintenance contracts and/or extended warranties to choose from. If you're buying a new excavator, these generally aren't worth the cost: you can do the basic preventative maintenance yourself, and the manufacturer's warranty will cover the rare mechanical breakdown.
If you're buying a used excavator, the extra protection of a maintenance contract can be a better value. Just having expert technicians inspect and lubricate the machine once or twice per year can help prevent small defects from developing into larger problems.
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Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Trends
- Types
- Specs
- Attachments
- Choosing a Dealer
Today, excavators are state-of-the art, using hydraulic power with smaller turning radiuses for tight spaces and intuitive joystick commands. Industries such as construction, utility, public works, mining, demolition, forestry, and landscaping use them every day to dig the trenches, holes and foundations.
The components of an excavator include:
[table]
Component, Description
Cab, This is where the operator sits and controls the machine through pedals and joysticks.
House, "The house contains the engine, oil and fuel cylinders. It is connected to the undercarriage with a cylindrical casket to enable 360 degree rotation."
Engine, The engine (typically diesel because of the amount of power needed) sits in the house and powers not only movement of the machine but also the hydraulics used to move the boom and attachments.
Undercarriage, The undercarriage has the gears and motor that facilitates movement of the machine over the ground.
Boom, This is the extension that connects to the bucket and other attachments.
Stick, "The stick connects the boom and the undercarriage, extending or retracting depended on the distance necessary to operate the boom and dig"
[/table]
Choosing the right excavator depends on many factors. Size, controls, and jobsite locations rank high on the list of things to consider.
Size
The size of an excavator will determine your digging depth and dig power. The industry refers to excavators in different size classes:
[table]
Operating Size, Terminology
0 - 6 Metric Tons, "Micro, Compact"
6 - 25 Metric Tons, "Mini, Construction Class"
25 - 40 Metric Tons, "Mini, Construction Class"
40 - 90 Metric Tons, "Large, Production Class"
[/table]
You want to purchase an excavator that will meet your job requirements ' and nothing more. If you purchase one that provides a deeper depth and stronger power than you really need, you could be wasting money on extra costs for fuel and possibly transport in addition to the extra expenditure on the machine itself. Really think about the size that makes the most sense for your company now and the foreseeable future.
Controls
There are two main types of excavator controls. One is specified by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and the other is by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
The two controls are very similar with the biggest difference being that the controls for the boom arm and dipper arm are reversed. SAE controls are the preferred method in the U.S. It's important to know the difference, especially if you are considering buying a used excavator.
Jobsite locations
Where you are going to use the machine is a critical consideration. Tight spaces require smaller machines, for instance; however, you want to look into a machine that is small but still provides the power you need.
In addition, evaluate how deep you dig and the type of breakout force you will need to get through different materials. Differences in soil types can dictate what power you need, how deep you will go and what accessories you need to break through, remove or cultivate the finished product.
Cost
When it comes to excavators, one of the decisions you'll have to make is used or new. Depending on what you choose, the prices will vary. Prices range from $100,000 for a mini-excavator to $500,000 for a large excavator.
You also have the option to rent an excavator on a job-by-job basis. If you are not going to use the excavator for every job, renting as needed may be the most cost-efficient option. Most rental companies even offer delivery as well. You can rent an excavator for $2,000 to $10,000 a month, depending on the size and type of excavator.
Leasing an excavator allows you to get the type of excavator you need for a job, at a more affordable price and for a longer period of time. While rental prices are higher for the same time period, leasing holds you responsible for maintenance and transportation costs.
This purchasing guide will discuss the trends, types, and excavator specifications that will help you choose the best excavator for your job. It will also provide information about various attachments available and suggest questions you should ask when interviewing dealers.
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