Your Guide to the Different Types of Excavators

If you’ve recently decided to buy an excavator, you may be wondering which of the many models on the market is the right fit for you. While some models have very unique uses, such as suction excavators, other models like draglines and long-reach excavators may be harder to differentiate between. To help you figure out which excavator is the perfect choice for your next project, we’ve written up the helpful guide below!

Skid-Steer vs. Crawler Excavators

While both of these excavators are relatively small, that’s where the majority of their similarities end. Unlike the skid-steer, the crawler or compact excavator uses tracks rather than wheels to get around. This makes it perfect for traveling across loose or sloping terrains, and a popular choice for trench-digging or mining tasks. 

While both excavators are great for moving and lifting debris, skid-steer models are much more popular for residential jobs, where their easy and agile navigation can be appreciated. Unlike a crawler model, these excavators are also much better at picking up debris that’s been spread across an area or piled up high. 

Dragline vs. Long-Reach Excavators

Similar to the two models above, these excavators don't have much in common besides their large size and ability to navigate difficult projects. Long-reach excavators have a long, extendable arm that’s perfect for working across a large area, reaching extremely high places, or stretching over various obstacles. Dragline models, on the other hand, use a rope and hoist system to move their buckets into hard-to-reach spots. This makes them one of the only models on the market that can work underwater.

Suction Excavator

Also called vacuum excavators, these models use impressive water jets to loosen up and remove terrain and various debris. To clean up the mess, they use a large suction pipe to pick up the resulting slurry. Because they can be so carefully aimed and directed, these models are perfect for delicate digging tasks, as well as general clean-up jobs, but can struggle to remove more solid terrain such as concrete or stone. 

Ready to grab your new excavator? Look no further than our convenient locations in Lufkin, Cleveland, and Jasper, Texas! We offer a wide variety of different excavators for sale, as well as helpful financing options, and rental services. If you’re located nearby in Nacogdoches or Jacksonville, Texas, we look forward to seeing you soon, here at TTJ Equipment .