In the fascinating realm of construction machinery, small excavators, typically defined as those weighing 6 tons or less, stand out for their remarkable versatility and practicality. This esteemed classification is universally acknowledged for offering exceptional benefits, particularly in terms of agility during operations and ease of transportation. Their compact build is a game-changer, allowing these machines to blend seamlessly into tight urban environments or confined renovation sites with incredible ease. These agile excavators effortlessly navigate restricted spaces, ensuring that every project is executed with the utmost efficiency and precision, making them a preferred choice for such challenging scenarios.
The ingenious small excavator's working apparatus consists of a boom, bucket rod, and bucket, all intricately driven by an advanced hydraulic system. This sophisticated configuration empowers the machine to execute a wide array of tasks such as digging, loading, and leveling with unparalleled finesse. The bucket's capacity, ranging from 0.01 to 0.3 cubic meters, is expertly designed for small-scale earthmoving, trenching, and meticulous garden maintenance. Picture the flawless execution of garden landscaping projects: from digging pits for new saplings to precisely laying irrigation lines, this versatile machine accomplishes it all with exceptional precision and efficiency.
| Base plate | The chassis design of small excavators is relatively compact, and most of them use track type or tire type. Tracked chassis can provide better stability and traction, suitable for a variety of complex terrain, such as muddy work sites, soft soil, etc. The wheeled chassis has higher maneuverability and moves faster on flatter roads, making it suitable for short-distance transfers in environments such as urban roads. |
| Working device | The structural strength of the boom and bucket rod can meet the needs of small excavation tasks. The hydraulic system can precisely control the action of the working device to achieve flexible digging Angle and depth. For example, when digging a pipe, the operator can control the hydraulic system so that the bucket can dig at the right Angle to avoid damaging the underground pipe. |
| Buckets are also available in a variety of shapes and sizes. There are sharp-toothed buckets for digging hard soil, and flat-mouth buckets for loading loose materials. |
| Cab | The cab design of small excavators pays attention to comfort and operability. Although the interior space is relatively small, the layout is reasonable, and the seats can be adjusted to facilitate the use of operators of different sizes. The ergonomic placement of the handle and instrument panel allows the operator to easily operate a variety of control buttons and joysticks. The cab of some high-end small excavators is also equipped with air conditioning, radio and other equipment to improve the working comfort of the operator. |
| Engine type | Small excavators generally use diesel engines or electric engines. The diesel engine has a high torque and power output, which can adapt to more heavy excavation work. And diesel engine fuel storage is relatively convenient, do not need frequent refueling. Electric engines have the advantages of environmental protection and low noise, and are suitable for use in urban environments or indoor places with high noise and emission requirements. |
| Dynamic performance | The engine power of small excavators is usually between 10-50 kW, and this power range can meet the needs of excavation, loading and other operations in small projects. For example, in a small garden renovation project, its power is enough to dig flower beds, carry flower soil, etc. |
Small excavators truly shine in environments where space is at a premium-be it rural construction sites, narrow municipal streets, or intricate interior demolition and renovation projects. Their compact design paired with a minimal rotation radius ensures seamless maneuverability within cramped spaces, setting them apart from their larger counterparts. Consider the task of dismantling an indoor wall; a small excavator glides effortlessly through rooms, meticulously deconstructing walls while upholding the stability and integrity of the surrounding structures, all with unrivaled accuracy and care. Maintenance
| Check and prepare before operation | Machine appearance inspection | Look carefully at the overall condition of the fuselage, including tracks (or tires), working devices, etc. Check tracks for loose, damaged, or stuck objects, tires for adequate air pressure, and visible damage. For example, if the track is too loose, it may cause the excavator to derail when walking, affecting normal work. For the working device, it is necessary to check whether the connecting parts of the boom, bucket rod and bucket are firm and whether there are cracks or deformation. |
| Check whether the hydraulic cylinder has oil leakage and whether the hydraulic tubing is damaged. Because hydraulic oil leakage will not only make the working device weak, but also may cause fire and other safety hazards. At the same time, check whether the bolts and nuts in each part are tight to avoid parts falling off due to loosening during operation. |
| Level and lubrication check | Check the engine oil level to ensure that the oil level is within the specified scale range. Insufficient oil can lead to poor engine lubrication, increased wear, and possibly even engine failure. Also check the coolant level, a lack of coolant can cause the engine to overheat. |
| Check the hydraulic oil level, hydraulic oil is the key to ensure the normal operation of the working device. Too low liquid level will cause insufficient working pressure of the hydraulic system, resulting in reduced mining force and slow movement. In addition, it is necessary to check and add grease to each lubrication point, such as the joint part of the slewing support and working device, to reduce friction and wear. |
| Surrounding environment inspection | Before starting the excavator, check whether there are obstacles, pedestrians or other equipment around the work site. Pay special attention to whether there are wires, branches, etc., above the head to avoid collisions during operation. At the same time, it is necessary to understand the geological conditions of the working site, such as whether it is soft sand, muddy land or underground holes, which may affect the stability of the excavator. |
| Points to note during operation | Smooth operation of the working device | When operating the boom, rod and bucket, the movement should be smooth and slow. Avoid sudden stop and sudden movement, because this may cause excessive impact on the hydraulic system and working device, resulting in component damage. For example, during the excavation process, the bucket should be slowly inserted into the earth to avoid damaging the bucket with too much force. |
| Control the digging depth and Angle, and make reasonable use of the digging force. Do not overdig, so as not to damage the working device or cause the excavator to tip over. During loading operations, the bucket is raised to the appropriate height to smoothly transfer the material into the transport vehicle. |
| Proper startup and warm-up | Follow the correct steps to start the excavator, generally inserting the key into the ignition switch, placing the safety lock lever in the "lock" position, and then turning the key to the "start" position to start the engine. After starting, do not immediately carry out high-load operations, let the engine preheat properly, so that the components are fully lubricated, preheating time is usually about 3-5 minutes according to the temperature and other conditions. |
| Reasonable control of walking speed and direction | According to the situation of the working site, reasonable choice of walking speed. Speed can be increased appropriately on flat, firm ground, but in soft, rugged or narrow sites, reduce speed to ensure safety. For example, walking too fast on muddy land may cause the excavator to get stuck in the mud. |
| Maintain a good view and a safe distance | During the operation, always pay attention to observe the surrounding environment and maintain a good vision. Adjust the position of the seat and the rearview mirror to ensure that you can see the various working parts of the excavator and the surrounding situation. At the same time, maintain a certain safe distance from surrounding people, vehicles and buildings to avoid collisions. |
| Avoid overload operation | Understand the rated load capacity of the excavator, and do not exceed its specified digging force, lifting force and loading capacity. Overload operation will not only affect the work efficiency of the excavator, but also accelerate the wear of the components, and may even lead to safety accidents. For example, when loading heavy materials, the boom may be deformed or the hydraulic system may fail. |
| Maintenance and maintenance after operation | Cleaning machine | After the completion of the operation, it is necessary to clean up the dirt, dust and other debris on the excavator in time |
| Check the condition of parts | Check the working device, hydraulic system, walking device and other components again for abnormalities. Check whether the working device has cracks and deformation, whether the hydraulic tubing has leaks, and whether the track (or tire) is damaged. |
| Proper parking of machinery | Park the excavator on a flat, solid ground, and avoid parking on slopes, soft land, or places with standing water. If prolonged parking is required, place the bucket flat on the ground, turn the engine off, pull the handbrake (for wheeled excavators) or use the brake (for crawler excavators), and place the safety lock lever in the "locked" position. |
