Whether you&#;re a passionate excavator enthusiast, you&#;re an excavator operator looking for more knowledge on your machine, or you&#;re just about to roll up your sleeves and take on an excavator repair, we&#;ve created this simple interactive excavator diagram to help you better understand this important construction machine.
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Click a part or a label to learn more about the part, its function on an excavator, or to see and search that specific part at H&R.
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Cab
The excavator&#;s cab is the central control station for the excavator&#;s operator. In the cab, an operator will have controls for both the movement of the excavator and the manipulation of the arm and attachments of the excavator. Pedals, levers, and joysticks are used in (often complex) combinations to control the excavator. In modern excavators, control and measurement will be augmented with touchscreens, displays, and other forms of feedback and input in the cab.
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Boom
The boom is a part of the arm and is directly attached to the excavator&#;s house. The length of the boom and the stick define the reach and digging depth of an excavator. Knuckled booms offer side-to-side movement of the arm, hinged booms are divided booms that allow for a new point of articulation, and long reach booms create the ability to extend the area with which an excavator can interact without moving the machine.
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Boom Cylinder
The boom is controlled by hydraulic cylinders pinned to the house and the boom. By extending and contracting the cylinder rods from the cylinder housing the operator is able to lift and lower the boom.
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Stick
A part of the excavator&#;s arm, the stick sits between the boom and the attachments. The far end of the stick incorporates a system for connecting to attachments and allowing for their control from the cab. An excavator could employ a longer stick for added reach or a shorter stick for increased digging power.
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Stick Cylinder
The excavator&#;s stick is controlled by a hydraulic cylinder connected to the boom and the stick. Extending and contracting the stick cylinder will pivot the attachment towards or away from the machine and the operator.
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Bucket / Attachments
Buckets are the most common type of attachments on an excavator, but excavators today utilize a wide range of attachments for digging, moving items, or interacting with materials in numerous ways.
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Bucket Cylinder
The bucket cylinder controls the action of the bucket and is connected to the stick and the bucket. By extending or retracting the cylinder, the operator can control the attachment. In the case of a bucket, extending the cylinder will initiate a scooping movement and retracting the cylinder will dump the bucket.
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Linkage
Linkage (or simply links) are heavy-duty, metal bars that connect attachments (and other parts) to the stick through the use of pins that allow for movement in specific directions.
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Engine
At its most simple, the engine on an excavator converts energy (generally from diesel fuel) into motion. The engine powers all parts of the machine through the direct output of energy to moving parts, energy conversion to electric parts, or often to output through the hydraulic system.
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Main Hydraulic Pump
The main hydraulic pump on an excavator transforms mechanical energy from the engine into hydraulic energy that is in turn supplied to hydraulic components through hydraulic fluid. Cylinders, travel motors, swing motors, and other hydraulically-powered components all derive their power from hydraulic pumps on the excavator.
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Main Control Valve
By controlling the pressure and direction of hydraulic fluid a hydraulic valve is able to finely dictate a machine&#;s movements and the movements of its attachments. Due to the complexity of a hydraulic system on an excavator, the main control valve is often a complex labyrinth of chambers and connections for the movement of hydraulic fluid and the exchange of energy.
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Slewing Ring
The slewing ring (or slewing ring bearing, turntable bearing, slewing gear) is a horizontally mounted bearing with an attached gear. The bearing connects the upper house with the lower undercarriage and allows each to move separately and, in turn, for the house to spin freely of the undercarriage.
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Swing Drive
The swing drive is directly mounted to the house and consists of a swing motor and a swing gearbox. Energy is converted into high torque output through a gear system and output through a geared shaft that engages with teeth in the slewing ring. Turning of the swing drive shaft results in movement along the path defined by the slewing ring.
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Travel Motor
Located in the undercarriage at the back end of the excavator&#;s tracks, the hydraulic travel motor is paired with a final drive gear box and powers the movement of the tracks.
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Final Drive
On an excavator, a final drive transfers power from the drive train to the tracks using a system of gears designed to reduce speed and increase torque. Most commonly, a final drive is divided into a hydraulic travel motor and a gearbox with gears designed to increase torque as it is applied to the tracks.
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Sprocket
The sprocket is a cogwheel with teeth that connects into and interacts with segments in the excavator&#;s track. As the sprocket rotates it advances the track and propels the excavator forwards or backwards by pulling the track in a direction.
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Front Idler
The front idler on an excavator is a large wheel at the front of the track group that guides the track along its path and, in conjunction with the track springs, sets the tension of the track.
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Track Springs
Track springs (or recoil springs) are large springs designed to absorb impacts and ensure the track is properly tensioned. Most track springs work in conjunction with a grease cylinder to set track tension.
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Bottom Rollers
An excavator has a number of short, rolling cylinders designed to carry the weight of the excavator and to guide the track along its path. These rollers are located inside the track and at the bottom of the undercarriage.
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Track Groups
Excavators are commonly used in a wide-range of ground conditions and must be able to both move in low-traction locations and remain firm and balanced while stationary. The tracks on an excavator are designed to provide ample grip and maneuverability. Tracks can be either metal, rubber, or hybrid. The roughness and pattern of tracks is designed to match the work surface where the excavator will perform its work. While tracks are still most common, increasingly some excavators employ wheels to allow for faster transport and less wear on delicate surfaces like city streets.
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We hope you found this diagram and these simple, short definitions helpful in your excavator knowledge search. As always, if you're searching for a part solution for your own excavator, our expert Parts Specialists are here to help connect you to a part in our deep and ever-expanding inventory or even to search our vast parts network. Just drop us a line or request a quote.
It&#;s safe to say that an excavator is the quintessential piece of heavy machinery and has probably made the greatest impact on the productivity and scale of civilization than any other piece of equipment. This is because in order to raise buildings, lay down roads, and construct bridges over huge gorges, we need to move dirt. And that&#;s the main job of an excavator.
Excavators consist of many parts, the most recognizable one is the boom, dipper or stick, and the bucket, which is the arm, if you will, that scoops up dirt and moves it. This sits on an undercarriage that consists of the wheels or track and the cab, which is where the operator sits to control the excavator. In theory, it began as a very simple idea: attach a bucket to a line and move it. Humans have expanded this exceedingly simple machine and idea into monstrous excavators that are able to move tons of dirt easily, quickly, and safely.
Wagner Used Equipment offers the best used heavy equipment for sale, from backhoes and skid steers to telehandlers, Ag equipment, and excavators. We&#;ve been serving Colorado, New Mexico, and west Texas since . We offer the best Cat parts, rental equipment and Cat attachments, and service. We understand that heavy machinery will at some point need a spare Cat part or service. We have over 230 field service technicians that can come out to you and quickly diagnose your used heavy equipment and get it moving again. We carry factory Cat parts so you know the superb quality you are getting. We also accept used heavy equipment for consignment. Below, we&#;ll take a look at the parts to one of the most important pieces of heavy equipment, the excavator. Reach out to one of our Cat dealers to learn more today!
Boom
The boom of a Caterpillar excavator is the long arm you see extending up from the undercarriage. It&#;s the first part of the arm that controls the bucket for digging, and is moved by the boom cylinder. The cylinders are where the hydraulics are housed, which is what is responsible for moving the boom. These cylinders consist of a cylindrical barrel where the piston is connected to the piston rod, which moves back and forth, inside the cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder works in conjunction with the hydraulic pump that supplies the hydraulic fluid that moves the piston. The piston divides the cylinder into the cap end and the head end. It is the play between these forces that causes movement.
Dipper, or Stick
The dipper, or stick, of a Cat excavator is the second part of the arm that an excavator is known for. It&#;s the part that the bucket is attached to. It is controlled by the bucket cylinder, which works in the same way as the boom cylinder, except it is responsible for moving the stick. The stick is attached to the boom in a manner so that it can easily scoop up dirt and then tuck the bucket up underneath it so no dirt spills out. The cab, or the part that the operator sits in, usually is able to rotate a full 360 degrees, allowing the dug-up material to be deposited next to it in a pile or in a truck for hauling away.
Bucket
Let&#;s face it, without the bucket on the end of the dipper, your excavator would be pretty much useless. Caterpillar makes a variety of different styles of buckets so that you can choose which of these Cat parts works best for your given situation. Clean-up buckets are used for ditch cleaning and for general digging duties. General duty buckets are used for many types of digging jobs and are one of the most common Caterpillar parts you will see on an excavator. Heavy duty Caterpillar buckets are built to cut through the hardest of materials, from semi-rocky soil to hard, caked in mud. These are superb for utility trenching, backfilling, or excavating for your construction or landscaping needs.
All of these types of buckets are considered Cat attachments. This means that you can purchase different types of buckets to switch out on your Cat machine. However, in general, if you have a piece of used heavy equipment from Caterpillar, you&#;ll want to stick to Cat attachments. This is because these Cat parts were designed to be the most productive together, from the dual radius shell to the added heel clearance. Furthermore, when you are actually doing the digging, or the grunt work of your excavation, your used heavy equipment is using the most fuel. Cat buckets are specifically designed to cut through these materials extremely quickly, saving you money in fuel operating costs. Plus, the shape of the buckets are designed to ensure little material falls out the sides as well.
As you can see, a lot of thought goes into Caterpillar equipment and Cat parts. Every detail is analyzed in the quest to make the best, affordable, and energy-efficient heavy machinery for our customers so that they have more money in their pockets to continue to improve their corner of the world.
Undercarriage
The undercarriage of any piece of Caterpillar heavy machinery is the framework that supports the parts of the machine. An undercarriage is made out of dozens of tiny factory Cat parts, such as links, pins, brushings, sprockets, rollers, idlers, shoes, frames, and so much more. All of these Cat parts fit together to support thousands of pounds of machinery and gives your machine a platform for the attachment of the cab and the boom, dipper, and bucket &#; the parts that do all of the heavy work. Undercarriages historically account for over half of your Cat machine&#;s repairs over the lifetime of your piece of heavy equipment. It&#;s crucial to maintain your heavy equipment&#;s undercarriage in order to avoid costly major repairs down the road. Wagner Used Equipment offers our top-notch field service technicians who can do just that. Call one of our Cat dealers today to learn more.
Track or Wheels
Excavators and other types of heavy machinery come with two options for movement: a track or wheels. Without a track or wheels, your piece of heavy machinery will be going nowhere fast. The track or wheels are attached to the undercarriage of your excavator. Which you choose is largely a decision of personal preference and the primary use of your excavator, as there are advantages and disadvantages to both. A wheeled excavator is incredibly handy to have when you need to transport your heavy machinery anywhere for that matter because it can drive itself. A tracked piece of Cat used heavy equipment will most likely have to be trailered in. However, track excavators are powerhouses for soft, uneven land and hills because they are able to evenly distribute their weight better, which helps the operator to feel as if they are not tipping over. Wheeled excavators, however, do come with stability arms to counteract this feeling. Wagner Used Equipment offers both wheeled and tracked excavators. Call your local Cat Wagner dealer to inquire about availability today.
Cab
The cab of excavators have come a long way since these machines first were invented. Today, if you get a new or a newer model piece of used heavy equipment, you can expect a very roomy, comfortable, climate-controlled environment &#; one that is designed with the operator in mind. Caterpillar is known for having one of the most comfortable cabs for operators. We&#;ve incorporated ergonomics into the chair, as well as a mechanical suspension seat so you don&#;t feel the bumps as much. It offers heating and cooling, and sometimes a fan. The controls are super easy to learn and to use, and with added systems such as machine control systems from our partner, SITECH Rocky Mountain, you can expect superior performance and efficiency, which leads to less time in the cab itself. Vibrations in the cab have been significantly reduced, and these cabs feature USB ports and Bluetooth technology so you can make hands-free calls.
The cab itself is mounted on the house, which, in turn, is mounted on the undercarriage. The house sits on a pivot, which is what allows the cab to rotate 360 degrees. The engine, cab, and boom are all mounted on the house and thus the undercarriage. In sum, the cab is the control center and brain of the excavator, and it&#;s important that it is comfortable and safe for the operator.
Wagner Used Equipment is proud to bring Caterpillar used heavy equipment to our customers in Colorado, New Mexico, and far west Texas. We are passionate about helping our customers do their jobs better, quicker, more efficient, and with less work through our machinery. Caterpillar is one of the largest manufacturers of heavy equipment in the world. We&#;ve focused on making our machines fuel-efficient, productive, safe, and with the latest technology so that they are comfortable to operate. After all, if you&#;re on a busy construction site, you may be sitting for the majority of the day in the cab of an excavator. This is not only mentally challenging, as you have to remain focused in order to do your job and be safe, but it&#;s also physically challenging. By ensuring the cab of your Cat used equipment is ergonomic and comfortable, you&#;ll enjoy your job a lot more, be better at it and more productive, and be safer.
The Caterpillar dealers of Wagner Used Equipment offers a Cat Parts Store at almost every location for your convenience. Here, you can order factory Cat parts for your heavy machinery, as well as use our Wagner Parts Exchange to save money on refurbished Cat parts. In addition, every Cat dealer has a service center for when your heavy equipment is acting up, or you can call for a certified Cat technician to come to you and get your used heavy equipment up and running again.
We offer every type of used heavy equipment you can imagine, from power systems and excavators to tillers, tractors, asphalt pavers, mining and forestry equipment, and more. No matter your needs, our team can help. We offer used heavy equipment financing, as well as consignment services, both of which are great options if you are looking to upgrade your Caterpillar equipment. From online solutions to fluids analysis, we&#;ve got all of your Cat equipment and parts covered. Stop by one of our Cat dealers to get started today!
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