Trackhoe Sizes and Types for Your Construction Project

Trackhoes come in a variety of sizes to suit different construction projects. The smallest trackhoes weigh around 8,000 pounds and have a boom length of 20 feet, making them ideal for tight spaces and residential projects.

Their compact size also allows for easy transportation and maneuverability on job sites. Trackhoes in this range are often used for tasks like excavation, grading, and trenching.

Larger trackhoes, on the other hand, can weigh up to 40,000 pounds and have boom lengths of 60 feet or more. These heavy-duty machines are designed for heavy construction projects, such as highway construction and mining.

Their increased size and weight provide greater lifting capacity and reach, making them perfect for tasks that require more power and precision.

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Trackhoe sizes vary significantly, with mini excavators weighing as little as 1 ton and standard/full-size excavators reaching up to 45 tons.

Mini excavators, like the Kubota K-008, can be as narrow as 2 feet 7 inches and are suitable for landscaping and digging over underground wires.

Standard/full-size excavators, on the other hand, can be as wide as 11.5 feet and are used for large-scale construction, materials handling, and building site digging.

The CASE CX140E excavator, for example, weighs 14.5 tons and has a max dig depth of 19' 10".

Here's a rough breakdown of the different excavator size classes:

Choosing the right trackhoe size is crucial for your project's success. The terrain of your work site is a key factor in determining the best trackhoe size for you. Tracked excavators offer excellent traction and stability on hilly and soft ground, while wheeled excavators work best on hard and flat surfaces.

If you're working on a finished site, such as a backyard or other residential space, you'll want to choose a trackhoe that won't damage the terrain. Mini excavators are safe to use on finished sites without harming the ground, and they're also great for landscaping and digging over underground wires.

The weight of your trackhoe also impacts how well it performs on specific terrain. Consider the maximum operating weight rather than how much the machine weighs alone. The operating weight will include the weight of the excavator operator and the load the equipment will haul.

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Tracked excavators are great on hilly and soft ground due to their excellent traction and stability.

The weight of an excavator significantly impacts its performance on specific terrain, and it's essential to consider the maximum operating weight, not just the machine's weight alone.

Working on a finished site, such as a backyard or residential space, requires greater care to prevent damage to the terrain.

Choosing the right trackhoe requires considering the typical tasks it will need to perform on your job site. You'll want to pick a size that can handle digging, lifting, and hauling without struggling or sacrificing efficiency.

Dig depth is a crucial factor, as it determines how deep your excavator can dig. Make sure it can achieve the maximum digging depth required for your projects, or consider upgrading it with a longer boom.

A longer reach can be beneficial for projects where accessibility is challenging, but it may slow down the excavation cycle time. You can upgrade some excavators with longer booms to extend their reach.

Lift height is important if your projects involve loading materials onto structures or into large trucks. Choose an excavator with sufficient lift height to meet your needs.

The load capacity of your excavator will determine how much material your operators can move in a single cycle, directly impacting operating speeds. Look for an excavator with the proper application load capacity.

Here are some key factors to consider:

An excavator that's the right size will be able to meet all your project requirements while safely maneuvering around your job site.

When choosing the right trackhoe, it's essential to consider the size and weight of the machine. Mini excavators, which weigh between 1 and 5 tons, are great for smaller projects and can fit through tight spaces. They typically have a width of 2.5 feet to 5 feet.

The size and weight of a mini excavator determine its compatibility with different use cases. For example, the Kubota K-008 weighs 1 ton and has a width of 2 feet 7 inches, making it perfect for landscaping tasks.

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Standard excavators, on the other hand, are much larger and heavier, weighing between 10 and 45 tons. They have a width of up to 11.5 feet and are ideal for larger-scale construction projects.

Here's a comparison of the use cases for mini excavators and standard excavators:

As you can see, the use cases for mini excavators and standard excavators vary in scale, but they can be used for similar functions. The size and weight of the machine ultimately determine its suitability for a particular project.

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When working with a trackhoe, precision is key. A mini excavator digs with more precision, reducing the chances of accidentally cutting into a wire or breaking a pipe.

Transporting equipment to different job sites can be a challenge. Mini excavators can be transported easily on the back of any loading vehicle, making them the quickest digging vehicle available on a site.

The cost of owning and operating a trackhoe is a significant consideration. Mini excavators are cheaper to buy, maintain, and operate due to their smaller size.

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If you need to dig in tight spaces, a mini excavator is your best bet. It can venture into narrower areas, making it ideal for projects where access is limited.

Here are some benefits of using a mini excavator:

Choosing the right trackhoe is a crucial decision, and it's essential to consider its width. Excavators can range from 2.5 feet to 11.5 feet in width, depending on their size.

Mini excavators are narrow enough to venture into tight spaces, but larger ones are strong enough to dig out a building site. I've seen it firsthand - a wider trackhoe can make all the difference in a big construction project.

The weight of the trackhoe is also important to consider, as it affects its stability and maneuverability. A heavier trackhoe will be more stable, but may be harder to move around.

Boom height is another critical factor, as it determines how high you can reach with the trackhoe's arm. You'll want to choose a trackhoe with a boom height that matches your specific needs.

Load capacity is a key consideration, especially if you plan to use the trackhoe for heavy-duty work. A trackhoe with a higher load capacity will be able to handle bigger loads, but may be more expensive.

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Trackhoe types and brands are an essential part of the heavy equipment industry, and understanding the different options available can help you make an informed decision when choosing a trackhoe for your project.

Kobelco is a well-known brand in the trackhoe market, offering a wide range of models with varying specs and sizes. For example, the Kobelco SK75SR-7 has an operating weight of 9.3 tons, while the SK130LC-11 has an operating weight of 16.4 tons.

There are several types of trackhoes available, including conventional, short, and long reach models. Conventional trackhoes, like the Kobelco SK170LC-11, have a conventional tailswing, while short trackhoes, like the SK75SR-7, have a short tailswing.

Some trackhoes are designed for specific applications, such as demolition or scrap handling. For instance, the Kobelco SK260DLC-11 Scrap has an operating weight of 37.1 tons and is designed for heavy-duty scrap handling.

Here's a breakdown of some common trackhoe types and their characteristics:

In summary, trackhoe types and brands are crucial factors to consider when choosing a trackhoe for your project. By understanding the different options available and their characteristics, you can make an informed decision and find the right trackhoe for your needs.

Cat Trackhoes are a type of excavator that's perfect for tight spaces and smaller tasks. They're available in a range of sizes, from 1t to 10t, with the smallest being the 300.9D, weighing in at just 935 kg.

These mini trackhoes are great for getting into tight-access areas and are easier to transport and maneuver. They're also a good option for smaller tasks that don't require heavy or overly powerful machines.

The largest mini trackhoe in the range is the 310, weighing in at 10,182 kg. It's a significant increase in size and power compared to the smallest model, but still compact enough to fit into tight spaces.

Cat's small trackhoe range weighs from 11t to 18t, bringing a good balance of power and reduced size and weight. The smallest model in this range is the 311F L RR, weighing in at 13t and packing 70HP.

These small trackhoes are suited for larger and more varied tasks than the mini range, and come with CAT Connect technology and compatibility with a selection of Cat attachments.

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The medium trackhoe range weighs from 20t to 35t, featuring patented Cat technology and compatible with a huge variety of attachments. The smallest model in this range is the Cat 320, with an operating weight of 22,500 kg and a C4.4 ACERT engine providing 162 HP of net power.

Medium trackhoes bring more power than the mini or small range, and may provide a more affordable alternative for larger projects than a large trackhoe, as they are generally cheaper and easier to transport.

Large trackhoes, on the other hand, are the heaviest and most powerful, ranging from 36t to 90t. The smallest model in this range is the 336, weighing in at 37,200 kg, while the largest is the 390F L, with an operating weight of 86,840 KG and a Cat C18 ACERT engine packing 543 HP.

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