When it comes to excavators for bridge and road building, the wide variety of available sizes and dig depths makes them useful on many different projects.

Latest from New Holland Construction are the EC350 and EC240 crawler excavators. The EC350 (below) is a 249-hp model with a maximum dig depth of over 26.5 ft. with optional arm (24.25 ft. without). The EC240 is a 176-hp machine with a dig depth of 22.5 ft., or over 24.5 ft. with the optional arm. Both machines feature heavier-gauge steel plate and full-height carbody-to-track frame connection, providing greater structural contact area to withstand the various stresses of extreme applications.

For lighter applications, New Holland’s EC-Series mini-excavators (left) are agile and easy to operate. Full-circle swing allows the operator to dig anywhere around the machine and deposit soil precisely without repositioning the excavator.

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Hyundai’s most popular excavator is the Robex210LC-3. It has an operating weight of 46,340 lbs. and a digging depth of over 22 ft., with 135 hp supplied by a Cummins B5.9-C engine. The contemporary appearance comes from the smooth, rounded contours of the cab and body.

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The JZ70 zero tail swing tracked excavator is JCB’s latest. It’s capable of working in close proximity of existing structures and tail swing is eliminated without incurring any traditional disadvantages of the design, such as lift capacity. The machine is powered by a low-emission, four-cylinder, fuel-efficient 58-hp Isuzu engine that is side-mounted for easy service access.

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With automatic-operation mode and advanced hydraulics, the new CX Series hydraulic excavators from Case Construction Equipment are thinking machines that practically dig on their own, the company says. Four models range from 13 to 24 metric t. and from 110 to 163 hp. Dig depths vary from 20 to 24.25 ft.

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The new Caterpillar 5110B hydraulic excavator weighs 125 metric t. and loads 50- to 60-t.-capacity trucks in four passes. It will be offered in three configurations to best match the application: mass excavation for heavy construction available now, with buckets ranging from 8.1 to 13.6 cu. yds.; general-purpose (available in early 2002) optimized for construction, trenching, and pipelaying; and front-shovel for quarrying (available early 2003).

Cat’s latest mini is the 303.5 Mini Hydraulic Excavator, weighing 7,672 lbs. when equipped with a cab and producing 25.5 net hp. A large selection of work tools is available to tailor the machine to the job.

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The new Solar-V 170LC-V from Daewoo Heavy Industries America Corporation is a mid-size excavator for smaller contractors that handle a variety of jobs. Standard features include low fuel consumption, a 76-dBA rating, precision joystick control, centralized lube points, and much more. It will fit on a 20-t. trailer tag along, and the narrow-gauge machine is completely street legal. The operating weight is 37,919 lbs. and it’s powered by a 116-hp engine.

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With operating weights from 132,300 to 254,000 lbs., the Liebherr Construction Equipment Co.’s Litronic R 964 B, R 974 B, and R 984 B tracked excavators develop between 356 and 655 bhp. The machines offer a wide range of special equipment, including both backhoe and shovel attachments.

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All D-Series compact excavators from Bobcat Company feature a swing-open tailgate for engine access and servicing. There’s also advanced instrumentation and hydraulic control, additional operator comfort, and sleek new styling. The 322 is the smallest member of the series, weighing 3,526 lbs. with a digging depth of 86 in. and a traveling width of less than 39 in. Larger models in the series are the 325, 328, 331, 331E, 334, 337, and 341.

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The new model XL3300 hydraulic excavator from the Gradall Company has an optional CE package meeting CE machinery directive requirements and STVZO German road regulations. The wheeled undercarriage provides mobility both on and off hard surfaces. The machine has the full range of traditional Gradall features, including the low-profile telescoping, full-tilting boom. Maximum digging depth is 19.25 ft. and a 148-hp turbocharged Deere engine powers both the upperstructure and the 4WD undercarriage.

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Weighing in at 3,800 lbs. and only 4.5-ft. wide, the 17ZTS is the runt of the zero-tail-swing-compact-excavator litter, but John Deere Construction Equipment Company says it packs a big punch. It features 13 ft. of reach and a digging depth of 7.25 ft., a bucket breakout force of 3,042 lbs., and a 12.3-hp liquid-cooled diesel engine. The zero-tail-swing design allows the body of the excavator to rotate 360 degrees within the width of its tracks.

At weights of 127,394 and 167,602 lbs. respectively, the 550 LC and 750 excavators are the largest machines in Deere’s excavator line. The Powerwize engine/hydraulic system is powered by two variable displacement axial piston pumps, providing smooth movement by keeping a constant balance between pressure and flow. The controls give quick, accurate response to multi-function swing-lift-bucket operations.

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Two new machines from Kobelco America fit into two different size categories. The 13SR Gate Keeper is an extension of the short radius compact hydraulic excavator line that can enter virtually any building, hallway, gate, or narrow-aisle passageway. The 3,240-lb. unit has a track width of 35 in. when retracted.

The SK160LC hydraulic excavator is another extension — this time, of the Dynamic Acera line. It weighs 36,800 lbs. and measures 8.5-ft. wide. In most states, the contractor can just load it onto a tag-along trailer and head to the next jobsite.

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Komatsu Utility Corporation has expanded its line of compact excavators with the PC75R-2, the largest yet. It features the company’s Avance technology that includes HydrauMind hydraulic system with closed-center hydraulics and load-sensing system. It’s 69 hp and weighs 16,470 lbs. with a maximum digging depth of almost 14 ft.

KUC has also added three new tight tail swing compact excavators: the PC20MRx, PC30MRx, and PC40MRx (shown). Weights range from 5,050 to 9,880 lbs., engines from 18.7 to 37.8 hp, and digging depths from 7.75 ft. to 11 ft. 2 in. The excavators feature the HydrauMind system, too.

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Two series of machines from Schaeff of North America have applications in utility and road work. The HML Series of rubber-tired excavators features three different models ranging in weight from 13,465 to 21,830 lbs. and engines from 60 to 80 hp. The HML 22 has a digging depth of 13.66 ft. while the largest (HML 41) digs to 16.75 ft.

Schaeff’s HR Series of mini excavators includes four models ranging in weight from 3,510 to 10,320 lbs. Digging depths go from 7.66 to 12.16 ft. and engines from 18 to 47 hp.

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The new Gehl Model GE1202 excavator has a 25,000-lb. operating weight and is powered by a 98-hp turbo diesel engine. The hydraulic system is infinitely variable and regulated to provide exact power output for the conditions at hand. The standard digging depth for the unit is 15.75 ft.

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An all-new series of hydraulic excavators is the LBX Company’s Link-Belt LX Series that feature the Inte-LX computer control system to monitor hydraulic output and pressures, and regulate engine performance. The series includes the 130LX, 160LX, 210LX, 210LX Long Front (with a reach of over 51 ft.), 240LX, and 240LX Long Front (60.25 ft.). Weights range from 27,100 to 58,900 lbs.

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The Orbiter from Flannegan Western features a modular design that allows it to transform from loader to forklift to personnel lift and back again. Now 2001 models also feature a mini excavator. With a digging depth of about 7 ft., the dipper-style excavator attachment is great for utility work and general construction. It’s available in several models ranging from 18 to 47 hp.

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Mustang Manufacturing Company’s ME12002 is a larger, more sophisticated addition to its line of excavators that features an advanced, high-output hydraulic system that allows multiple-hydraulic function without the loss of speed or power. The machine weighs 25,397 lbs. and has a lift capacity of 19,665 lbs. It’s powered by a 98-hp diesel engine and can reach a maximum digging depth of 15.75 ft.

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The TB175 is the most recent addition to Takeuchi Manufacturing’s 1-Series Compact Excavators. It has a new Two-Speed Travel System with automatic shift down, electro-hydraulic, push-button control of the auxiliary hydraulic circuit, and servo assist hand- and foot-operated travel controls. The 8-t. machine has a digging depth of 15.16 ft., bucket breakout force of 15,311 lbs., and a dump height of over 17 ft.

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