Excavator
An excavator is extremely
useful for the construction industry, and can perform gigantic tasks that may
not be possible by the human effort. Thus, the excavator has increased the
speed of work to a great extent. Efforts are being made to reduce the excavator
weight, and make it a quiet function.
Description of an Excavator
An excavator is a useful
machine that is utilized in the construction industry, and other useful
applications. It consists of an undercarriage that has wheels or tracks for the
provision of mobility. Active research is being conducted to improve the
excavator characteristics, namely more ground clearance, less noise, and
improvement in ride. The older excavators had an extended counterweight that
was suspended at the machine rear. It provided additional lifting capability
and the force for digging. The modern excavators have been designed such that
the counterweight remains inside the track width during swinging. Thus the
movement is safe and the maneuverability of
the excavator increases during operation in restricted areas. The common
excavators are fitted with diesel engines that generate hydraulic pressure for
the numerous excavator operations. The modern excavators are being fitted with
electric motors that obtain power by fuel cells. The fuel cells are efficient
and environmentally friendly. Furthermore, the fuel cells are much lighter and
smaller than a diesel engine. The operator cabin is being made more spacious
and comfortable.
Applications
The excavator has increased
the work speed tremendously. It is used extensively in numerous fields,
including the following:
Wood removal in forests
Normal grading work and
landscaping
Cutting of brushes with
attachments
Demolition of structures, and
removal of debris
Mining industry
Dredging of rivers
Installation of piles in
foundations
Digging of foundations, holes
and trenches
Handling of heavy materials
Laying of heavy pipes
Excavator Components
The fundamental mechanism of
an excavator consists of the undercarriage that includes the tracks, track
frame, blade and the final drive. The final drive has a hydraulic motor and
gears that provide drive to the tracks. The operators cabin, engine,
counterweights, hydraulic and fuel tanks are attached to the undercarriage,
enabling the excavator to swing 360° without any hindrance. The main function
of the excavator engine is to drive the hydraulic pumps that provide oil at a
high pressure to the slew motor, rams, track motors, and several accessories.
Mostly, the boom can move only up and down, or in addition also shift towards
the left and right of the machine. An arm is attached to the boom end that
imparts the force for digging into the ground. A bucket is fixed at the arm end
for carrying the soil. In addition, there are numerous other categories of
attachments with the excavator that are used for boring, crushing, lifting, and
ripping.