All About Excavator: Definition, Function,andPartsExplained
Excavator is construction equipment consisting of arms, booms, buckets, and cabins which are capable of rotating on the carriage. There are several features to support the construction work process, such as fuel efficiency, multifunctionality, and productivity levels.
Construction work cannot be separated from the tools used as auxiliary devices in every work process. One of them is heavy equipment that is often used for large scale processes, especially in the work of digging the ground.
Excavators are very much needed as soil diggers. Various processes such as making sloping material, loading and unloading soil to dump trucks, or the process of breaking small stones can be carried out by excavators.
ABriefHistoryofExcavator
At the end of 1800, there was development in the field of civil engineering as the main system for working excavators. It was popular at that time in addition to using cables/slings. Later in 1897, an excavator with a hydraulic system made by the Kilgore Machine Company who consisted of four double acting cylinders. This cylinder is integrated by hydraulicfluid which is capableof lifting heavyobjects or fields.
Also in that year the British company, WG Armstrong & Co. made excavators using cables/slings and hydraulics. However, it is not as popular as a full hydraulic system. This is due to the many shortcomings in the strength of the arm to lift, which still used cables for power.
In 1960 the first mini excavator with the YNB300 series was made by the Japanese company, Yanmar. The design is more compact and allows the excavator to operate in confined areas. After the success of the YNB 300, the company then made a product update, the YNB600C, with improvements in operator performance and comfort as well as the addition of a swing boom to allow it to operate on walls.
MainFunctionsofExcavator
In general, the function of an excavator is to dig holes, trenches, and foundations so that construction work is more efficient and effective. Various types of industries such as forestry, mining, and construction usually use the help of an excavator. Meanwhile, the excavator functions are specifically divided into:
1. Dredging Process
An excavator can be utilized for the process of dredging rivers and land, or for making irrigation. Of course, this process helps the workers to save duration and work costs. This dredging process usually uses a long reach excavator type.
2. Slopping Process
The sloping process is a method of sloping terrain on the slopes or hilly areas. The role of the excavator is needed for this process because it is more effective in reducing the slope angle as a foundation.
3. Breaking Process
The other function that is actually not recommended is for the stone breaking process. This is usually used in the mining, construction, and power generation sectors.
4. Mining Process
Excavators can also be used for loading and unloading mining products. The goal is to simplify the process of transferring mining products compared to using human power.
In addition, the dredging process can also be carried out on mining projects by excavators. The type used is a hydraulic shovel excavator because it has a large carrying capacity and power for movingmining products.
5. Disassembly Process
In addition, excavators can be used for demolition processes such as the eviction of houses or buildings. The working model is almost the same as the dredging process but the media used is different. The type of excavator operated is usually a mini excavator because of the low cost and many companies that rent or sell these excavators.
6. General Construction Process
The general process of construction often uses excavators as a tool in the construction field. For example, for land leveling, land excavation, and excavation forthe manufacture of foundations on a large scale.
Main Parts of Excavator
There are fundamental parts of the excavator. Each of them has different functions and operating methods. Most of today's excavator systems use a hydraulic system as the propulsion system for the tool. These following are the main parts of excavator:
1. Boom
The boom is the most crucial part of the excavator. It is used for the swing arm of the excavator. Besides, this section serves as a holder for the other main component. The boom construction must be made in a sturdy and solid form to be able to support one of the main parts. Boom engines are also very diverse depending on the specifications of each excavator.
2. Arm
The arm in the excavator is one of the main components that have almost the same function as a boom other than support. It is also a swing arm or elbow for the bucket.
3. Bucket
The bucket or rake is a scraper to lift or move sand, soil, and rocks. It is shaped like a basket with a fork at the end and has various dimensions according to the excavator's specifications.
4. Legs / Track
The track that functions as the driving part of the excavator to keep it running is made of iron chains like tanks. However, some types of excavator's legs are made differently depending on the terrain or the work function of the excavator. For example, a wheeled excavator uses tires as its track.
5. Control Cabin
The control cabin serves as an excavator operating room. All movements of the excavator are controlled by the operator/technical personnel through the cab. It consists of several devices such as steering, gears, gas, and brake pedals.
Excavator technical personnel must have a certificate or license to drive heavy equipment to maintain workplace safety and security and minimize the risk of work accidents.
6. Cylinder
The cylinder or piston functions as a successor to the driving force of the hydraulic system to several main parts, namely the boom, arm, and bucket to carry out the work process. Piston dimensions very greatly depending on the specifications of each excavator. The larger the dimensions, the greater the workload received by the excavator.
This part is very vulnerable to technical failure of the excavator because the inside of the cylinder uses a fluid and seal system. This causes a very large risk of leakage. Ensure routine maintenance activities are alwayscarried out.
7. Swing
The swing can rotate the excavator body to support the work process. This section has a 360 degree elevation that makes various dredging, digging, loading, and unloading processes more efficient. Swing does not require the excavator to move back and forth but a 360 degree rotating motion from target to target.
8. Hydraulic Pump
The hydraulic pump or hydraulic system functions as a piston motion control configuration as a power center that uses a high pressure fluid system. In this section, there is an arrangement of valve systems, induction motors or servos pumps, and hoses thatsupply fluid to each cylinder.
