Mini excavator

Mini excavator in use on the construction site.

The mini excavator is a construction machine and is used on small construction sites in the field of earthworks or gardening and landscaping . The device is characterized by its low operating weight and small dimensions.

The way the machine works is similar to that of a hydraulic excavator . The equipment includes a small dozer blade , crawler chassis and a range of attachments such as digging vessels, hydraulic hammers or auger.

Components

The mini excavator essentially consists of five components:

1. Caterpillar drive
2. Articulated joint (if present)
3. Front shield
4. Excavator boom with attachment (digging spoon)
5. Driver's cab

Parameters

Mini excavators are available in different construction and performance variants, the performance spectrum ranges from machines with 3 to 17 kW. The device then has an operating weight of 0.3 to 3.2 t. The width is also decisive for the usability, so dimensions between 0.7 and 1.5 m are possible. A maximum speed of 1.7 to 5 km / h is possible.

Technology and equipment

The mini excavator is equipped with a hydraulic drive and has a crawler track with rubber chains. In this way, the device can change direction quickly and only generates low ground pressure . The small dozer blade attached to the undercarriage is used for light leveling work and can serve as a support during the excavation process. In order to improve the mobility of the machine, depending on the equipment variant, there is an articulated joint on the boom so that the boom can be swiveled without rotating the upper structure. The possible uses are very diverse due to the various attachments.

use

Due to their dimensions and weight, the devices can be used in tight spaces and can be quickly transported on the truck bed or on a car trailer. The mini excavator is used for renovation work on buildings and systems as well as in gardening and landscaping. You can also do smaller earthworks and in this case replace the tedious and expensive manual labor. The areas of application are expanded even further by various attachments.

Manufacturer

A large number of manufacturers are involved in the development and manufacture of mini excavators. This has led to a wide range of models and sizes. Despite their similarity to conventional hydraulic excavators, all components have to be re-dimensioned. In particular, the requirement to achieve the smallest possible device dimensions requires a high level of design performance. The manufacturers of mini excavators include, for example:

Airman Bobcat Boki Cams Case CE Caterpillar Doosan (formerly Daewoo ) Eurocomach Foton (excavator) Gehl Company

Hanix Hinowa Hitachi Hyundai JCB Komatsu Kubota (company) Liugong Macmoter Mecalac

Messersi New Holland Pel job Takeuchi Terex / Schaeff Volvo Construction Equipment Wacker Neuson XCMG Yanmar

safety

• In Germany, an annual U-VV inspection (in accordance with the guidelines of the employers' liability insurance association) is mandatory for mini excavators.

• Proof of qualification (driving license) for driving mini excavators is a prerequisite in Germany for the proper use of all power-operated construction machines (mini excavators) in accordance with the guidelines of the employers' liability insurance association.

See also

• List of construction machinery
• Excavator

Web links

Commons : Mini Excavator  - Collection of Images

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Manfred Hoffmann: Number tables for the construction company , Teubner Verlag, 2006, ISBN 3-519-65220-X , page 611