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A hydraulic excavator has a gooseneck boom, a pivoting dipper stick (or dipper arm), and a bucket. The gooseneck boom and dipper stick are also called a knuckle boom or a hoe.

Two basic categories of excavators include:

• • Standard hydraulic excavators
  • Telescoping-boom excavators

A track-mounted hydraulic excavator moves using tracks mounted on the undercarriage. The excavator can be rotated 360 degrees, operates well in confined areas, and has good traction, flotation, and stability.

A telescoping-boom excavator, or shooting-boom excavator, has a straight boom and a pivoting bucket. The boom can be extended, retracted, and rotated. These excavators are often used in restricted-clearance areas and for grading and finishing work.

• Excavators are used in a variety of earthmoving and trenching jobs. A small grading blade on the front can be used for smoothing, stabilizing the excavator, or backfilling.
• Excavators are well-suited for trenching operations.
• Excavators can be used for ditch work.
• Excavators can be used for slope and finish grading.
• Excavators can be used for demolition.
• Excavators can be used for material lifting and scrap handling.

A grasping thumb can be attached to the bucket’s backside and allows objects to be picked up and held easier.

A hydraulic breaker (i.e., hoe ram) attachment can be mounted onto the end of a backhoe stick and used for demolition work.

A hydraulic pile driver attachment can be mounted onto the end of a backhoe stick and used for pile driving.

Dipper bucket swivel, a swivel joint connects the main arm and the jib. The jib can be turned out of the plane of the main arm and thus be inclined sideways. Digging of an embankment at an oblique angle and digging road ditches with a gradient are therefore permitted. Also, note the mud (mitten) bucket in this example, void of teeth, for a smoother finish.

Backhoe teeth can be used to dig any holes, but they are especially suited for digging ditches.

NOTE: The mud (mitten) and rock (toothed) buckets are options for excavators as well.

All construction sites:

• • Excavation
  • Trenching
  • Bridge
  • Road

Utility installation and relocation

Ditching

Shore dredging

Before U Dig (BUD)/811:

• • Prior to any excavation activities, supervisor should call BUD (1-800-752-6007)
  • A dig ticket also must be approved for any work performed by excavating equipment

Safety of the operator:

• • Wear appropriate clothing and follow the necessary safety procedures that apply to all occasions.
  • Mount the equipment carefully, keeping three points of contact at all times, and keep the steps and cab interior clean.
  • Use extreme caution around overhead power lines and underground utilities.

Safety of the others:

• • Excavator operators are responsible for the safety of co-workers and the public.
  • Always keep others in sight and away from the equipment.
  • Establish a safe work zone around the swing radius potential for the excavator and never allow riders on the equipment.

Safety of the equipment:

• • Know the equipment’s safety features.
  • Check the condition of the equipment often.
  • Always follow the rules when traveling or transporting the equipment.
  • Obey rules about parking and operating on inclines.
  • Know the equipment and its limitations.
  • NEVER exceed the manufacturer’s recommendations for attachments and operation.