What is the top part of an excavator called?

While you&#;ve likely seen an excavator before or even used one on your construction site, do you know everything there is to know about this machine? There are numerous parts on an excavator and it&#;s good to know how they function and work together to make the excavator perform its job. 

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Upstate Equipment is your New York excavator dealer, so we&#;ve broken down the parts of an excavator below to help you better understand the way this machine works.

1. Undercarriage Parts

The undercarriage of your excavator consists of four primary parts: the tracks, the track frame, the final drives and the blade.

• The tracks are what allow your excavator to move around the work site, in lieu of wheels. Each track is made up of a series of reinforced rubber track plates that are connected with pins and run over rollers.
• The track frame is the body of the undercarriage, which consists of a sturdy rectangular frame connected to the house with a center pin. The swing bearing, slew ring and swing gear are also located in the track frame, ensuring that it can hydraulically swivel around.
• The final drives are comprised of a gearing system and hydraulic motor that are both connected via a drive shaft to the excavator&#;s engine. The final drives provide the tracks with the power they need to move together and separately.
• The blade may be an optional attachment on your excavator which helps the machine move loose material underneath it.

2. House Parts

Above the undercarriage sits the house of your excavator, which is made up of the operator&#;s cab, the counterweight, the engine and fluid tanks.

• The operator&#;s cab is where the driver of the excavator sits to operate the machine. Typically, the cab has glazing all around it for maximum visibility and its sturdy roof protects the operator from the elements as well as from any materials that may fall from the boom&#;s attachment.
• The counterweight is a crucial design element in every excavator, as without it, the boom would probably tip the entire machine forward when it&#;s fully extended. Older counterweights tended to stick out past the back of the tracks, but more modern designs have a more compact counterweight that improves maneuverability.
• The engine is the powerhouse behind the entire machine, driving it forward and ensuring that all three of the hydraulic pumps installed on the excavator can function properly. Usually, excavators have a diesel engine to produce maximum power.
• The fluid tanks are where the fuel and hydraulic fluid are kept, in the rear housing that encloses the engine.

3. Arm Parts

Last, but certainly not least, you have the long arm of the excavator that bends in the middle, not dissimilar to your own arm with its joints. The arm is made up of the boom, the stick, the bucket and attachments.

• The boom (this term is often used to refer to the entire arm as well) is the upper portion of the digging arm that is attached to the excavator&#;s house. The boom dictates how the excavator moves up and down. Most booms only move in these directions, but knuckle booms move left and right.
• The stick is the lower end of the arm, attached to the boom via a hinged joint. The dipper cylinder extends from the top of the boom to the stick&#;s end, pulling the stick towards the boom so the bucket drags across the ground. This is how the excavator digs.
• The bucket is the metal container that scoops up loose material like dirt or gravel and it&#;s attached to the stick.
• Any attachments used with your excavator are optional, and they replace the bucket. Augers, drills, compactors and log splitters are just a few of your attachment options.

When you&#;re ready to shop excavators, visit Upstate Equipment in Lockport, NY, to check out our wide stock of new and used excavators for sale. We can even assist you with financing options. Our dealership serves greater Buffalo, NY, as well as the city of Amherst.

Before working with excavators, you need to know how they work. Excavators are essential heavy construction machines designed for digging, moving and lifting materials. They help make construction and excavation projects safer and more efficient. Understanding what the basic parts of an excavator are can help you be a better operator. Learn the excavator&#;s components and functions in this guide.

10 Main Parts of an Excavator

Knowing the basic parts of an excavator and how they work can help you choose, work with and maintain your machine. You&#;ll know what each part is, what it does and how everything fits together. Here are the main excavator components:

1. Boom

The boom is a fundamental component of an excavator. This large main part extends outward from the machine&#;s body. It primarily provides the excavator with its reach, allowing the operator to position the arm and bucket precisely for digging, lifting or placing materials. Booms come in various lengths and configurations, depending on the excavator&#;s intended application. Long booms are generally used for tasks requiring an extended reach, while shorter booms are better for confined spaces.

2. Arm

The arm, also called the stick, connects the boom to the bucket and helps control the excavation&#;s depth and precision. By extending and retracting the arm, the operator can adjust the distance between the boom and bucket, enabling precise digging, grading and lifting. The arm&#;s length varies depending on the excavator&#;s size. While mini excavators have shorter arms for better maneuverability in tight spaces, larger excavators have longer sticks, allowing for deep excavations.

3. Bucket

The bucket is the attachment at the end of the arm responsible for digging, scooping and carrying materials. Buckets come in various shapes and sizes, each designed for specific tasks. Excavator buckets typically have teeth or cutting edges for breaking through tough soil or rock. They can be swapped out for other attachments, like grapples or thumbs, to expand the excavator&#;s capabilities. The bucket&#;s size and shape significantly affect productivity and efficiency, so choosing the right one for the application is important.

4. Cab

The cab is the operator&#;s compartment. It contains the operator&#;s seat and the control panel. From here, the operator manages the machine&#;s functions, using various controls, joysticks and pedals to operate the boom, arm, bucket and other movements like rotation and travel. Modern excavator cabs are equipped with air conditioning, ergonomic seating and advanced technology, enhancing operator safety, comfort and productivity.

Are you interested in learning more about excavator bucket? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

5. Undercarriage

The excavator&#;s undercarriage supports the machine&#;s weight, provides stability and facilitates movement. It includes tracks or wheels, depending on the excavator type. Tracks offer excellent traction and weight distribution, enabling crawler excavators to navigate rough and uneven terrains more easily. Wheeled excavators provide maximum agility on smoother surfaces such as asphalt and allow more mobility. The undercarriage may have features like adjustable width or retractable tracks to adapt to various job site conditions, ensuring the excavator&#;s stability and maneuverability.

6. Engine

Excavator engines usually run on diesel fuel. The engine&#;s size and power output depend on how big the excavator is and how it&#;s used. Modern engines are designed for improved efficiency and reduced emissions to meet strict environmental standards. Engines power the excavator&#;s movements and supply the energy needed to operate the hydraulic system.

7. Hydraulic System

The excavator&#;s hydraulic system is a complex network of high-pressure hoses, pumps, valves and cylinders that control the movements of the boom, arm and bucket. Using the hydraulic system, the operator manipulates these components to complete tasks. The hydraulic system is exceptionally responsive and powerful, making it an essential part of the excavator. It provides the strength needed to carry out heavy-duty tasks while maintaining accuracy and control in the operator&#;s hands.

8. Counterweight

The counterweight is a heavy component, often located at the excavator&#;s rear. It provides balance and stability during lifting and digging operations. Since the excavator&#;s bucket at the front is frequently loaded with materials in the bucket, the counterweight opposes the weight of these materials to prevent the excavator from tipping over. Counterweights are adjustable and can be tailored to the machine&#;s specific requirements, ensuring safe operation and preventing accidents.

9. Swing Gear

Swing gear, typically loaded at the machine&#;s base, allows the excavator to perform a 360-degree rotation. This feature is essential for positioning the bucket accurately and efficiently without needing to reposition the entire machine. The operator can easily swing the excavator to reach different work site areas. It greatly enhances productivity and versatility, as the excavator can work within a wider radius without physically moving the undercarriage.

10. Blade

Some excavators are equipped with an optional blade at the front end for leveling and grading tasks. The operator can adjust this blade to control the grading depth and angle, making it a critical feature for projects requiring precise earthwork and leveling. The blade complements the excavator&#;s digging and material-handling capabilities, transforming it into a versatile machine for site preparation and finish grading work.

Excavator FAQs

Here are the answers to some common excavator questions to help you learn more about these machines and how to keep them in good condition.

How Does an Excavator Work?

Excavators use a combination of the boom, stick, bucket and hydraulic system to dig, scoop and lift materials. The operator controls these functions from the cab. The hydraulic system activates these components, allowing the excavator to dig into the earth, scoop materials, and perform precision tasks like trenching or loading trucks.

What Are the Main Types of Excavators?

Excavators come in different types to suit diverse needs. Standard crawler excavators are versatile and excel at many tasks. Mini excavators are compact and ideal for tight spaces, while wheeled excavators offer mobility on the road. Long-reach excavators extend for specialized reach and depth requirements. Your choice of excavator depends on the specific job and its demands.

What Are the Key Applications for Excavators?

Excavators find extensive use across construction and excavation projects. They&#;re essential for digging trenches, excavating building foundations, leveling and grading land, demolishing structures, and loading or unloading heavy materials. Their adaptability and precise control make them indispensable on job sites.

What Are the Three Major Parts of an Excavator?

The boom and arm, undercarriage and cab are the 3 major parts of an excavator.

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