There are two main types of walking excavators: diesel-powered and electric-powered.
The diesel-powered walking excavator is the most common type, offering high power and efficiency.
Electric-powered walking excavators, on the other hand, provide a more environmentally friendly option with lower operating costs.
Some walking excavators are designed for specific tasks, such as trenching or demolition, and come equipped with specialized attachments like trenching buckets or demolition claws.
The operating weight of walking excavators can range from 8 to 20 tons, depending on the model and attachments.
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Types of Walking Excavators
There are several types of walking excavators, each designed for specific tasks and environments.
The largest type of walking excavator is the heavy-duty model, which can weigh up to 300 tons and reach digging depths of over 100 feet.
These machines are ideal for large-scale projects like mining and heavy construction.
The compact walking excavator, on the other hand, is perfect for smaller jobs like urban construction and landscaping.
It weighs significantly less than its heavy-duty counterpart, at around 20 tons.
The zero swing walking excavator is designed for tight spaces and can rotate 360 degrees without swinging its upper structure.
This feature makes it perfect for working in confined areas like city centers and narrow streets.
The hydraulic walking excavator uses a hydraulic system to power its movements, offering precise control and greater efficiency.
It's commonly used in applications where precision and speed are crucial, such as in precision excavation and demolition work.
Kaiser Spider
The Kaiser Spider is a type of walking excavator that's perfect for tackling steep terrain. It can wheel or "walk" on slopes up to 85% without the need for winching.
One of its standout features is its ability to work for 4 days between refueling, thanks to dual fuel tanks. This is especially useful when working on remote or environmentally sensitive sites.
The spider excavator can also work in water up to 1.7m depth, making it a versatile tool for a variety of jobs. It's even equipped with panolin biodegradable hydraulic fluid to protect the environment in case of a hose failure.
The Kaiser Spider comes with a range of attachments, including a grapple bucket, digging and cleanup buckets with a twist wrist, and a vibratory compactor/post pounder. It also has a vegetation mower for grass and trees up to 6" diameter, and a vegetation mulcher for trees up to 24" diameter.
Here's a quick rundown of the attachments available:
- Grapple bucket
- Digging and cleanup buckets with twist wrist
- Vibratory compactor/post pounder
- Vegetation mower for grass/trees up to 6" diameter
- Vegetation mulcher for trees up to 24" diameter
- Winch
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Menzi muck cost?
The Menzi Muck costs between $130,000 for a two-tonne model and $600,000 for a larger model, depending on options. Prices vary due to the machine's specialized nature and intended use.
What does it mean to walk an excavator?
An excavator is considered 'walking' when it moves forward on four wheels connected to its undercarriage by legs, a unique feature of specialized construction machines known as spider excavators
How much does a Soviet walking excavator weight?
The Soviet walking excavator, ЭШ 6,5/45, weighs approximately 617,294 pounds or 280 tonnes. Its massive weight is a key factor in its unique walking mechanism.
Why do walking excavators exist?
Walking excavators were created to tackle challenging terrains that conventional machines couldn't handle, such as steep slopes and rough ground. They were first designed in the Swiss Alps in 1966 to meet the needs of difficult excavation projects.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walking_excavator
- https://newatlas.com/automotive/walking-spider-excavator/
- https://www.arcridge.ca/services/kaiser-spider-excavator/index.html
- https://medium.com/dr-digger/why-you-need-a-kaiser-spider-walking-excavator-dr-diggers-prescriptions-72e40dcb03e1
- https://www.ewcg.eu/walking-excavators
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