8 must-have excavator attachments

Despite its name, excavators aren't just good for excavating 'they can be used for cutting undergrowth, digging holes, sorting material and so much more. DAVE BULLARD gets the word on some of the industry's recommended excavator attachments'

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The hydraulic excavator has been a real game-changer for the construction, earthmoving, mining and quarrying industries since its introduction in the s, not least due to its ability to tackle a wide variety of tasks with a simple change of attachment.

This ability is not always exploited, as many people still think of an excavator simply as a machine with a bucket used to dig and move earth. So we asked a few industry stalwarts ' Queensland Rock Breakers (QRB) general manager, Fred Carlsson; Digga Australia marketing manager, Lionel Smitka; and Delecca's sales manager, Jason Delecca ' to name their top recommended excavator attachments.

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We'll crown the digging bucket as champion because it's both ubiquitous and indispensable. Then all three of our experts had rock breakers and hydraulic grabs on their lists, with vibrating compaction plates, flail mowers and sieve buckets appearing on two lists.

'As you get into the specialist fields, the must-have attachments depend on your application,' Carlsson pointed out.

'There are a number of attachments such as pile drivers and rock saws that probably don't make the list because of their limited overall applications but, as you can see, there is no shortage of attachments, which is one reason why excavators account for roughly half the machinery market in Australia.'

We take a look at each expert's must-have list, then examine eight attachments in more detail:

Frederik Carlsson ' Queensland Rock Breakers (QRB)

1. Rock Breaker
2. Digging buckets
3. Static attachments ' compaction wheels, rippers, mud buckets, sieve buckets, trenching buckets, and rock buckets
4. ALLU Transformer processing bucket
5. Vibrating rippers
6. Rotary twin-head cutters
7. Vibrating compaction plates
8. Planers and Profilers
9. Crushers and pulverisers
10. Grabs

Lionel Smitka ' Digga Australia

1. Post hole borer
2.  Trencher
3.  Rock breaker
4. Grabs
5. Flail mower
6. Mulcher

Jason Delecca ' Delecca's

1. Flail mower
2. Hydraulic grab
3. Vibrating plate
4. Trench compactor
5. Sieve bucket
6. Rock Breaker
7. Auger Drive

Flail Mower

A Bobcat flail mower in action

Perhaps a flail mower isn't the first thing that comes to mind when talking about excavator attachments, but Delecca's sales manager, Jason Delecca, places it at number one on his list.

'The flail mower is generally forgotten about, but it's amazing what it is capable of doing,' Delecca said.

'We sell these to suit 1.5-tonne to 8-tonne excavators. It means that people can start clearing scrubs on sides of roads and also for small land-clearing jobs.

'We have had contractors go from clearing large highway roadsides to farm clearing and then into creaks and channels. It works the hydraulics but the rest of the machine generally works very easy when operating.'

Delecca said his Bendigo (VIC) business has used a few brands previously, but these days they recommend the Bobcat unit.

'It has a feature that shuts down the flails quicker and also side chains ' not rubber ' to stop debris going into unwanted directions,' he said. 'Also, the body is strong and will withstand damage.'

Look up flail mower attachments for sale

Post hole borers

An excavator's hydraulic pressure makes it perfect for mounting auger drives with post hole borers to prepare the ground for fence posts, plants or signposts.

'You've just got to look around,' said Digga Australia marketing manager, Lionel Smitka.

'We drill holes for everything from planting trees and erecting playground equipment, to building foundations and fencing.'

'From domestic to commercial projects, there wouldn't be many projects which wouldn't require holes to be drilled,' he said.

'We've been selling hundreds of auger drives every month for over 30 years. The demand for holes is endless.'

According to Smitka, buying an auger drive is simple, but buying the correct one is not so straightforward.

'It's almost a science where one must consider the size and depth of the hole to be drilled, ground conditions and host machine's hydraulic system,' he said.

'Use a reputable company with a wide range of drives to ensure you are fitted into a drive which will give you the ideal drilling speed and torque for the expected ground conditions. Too fast in hard ground and the auger will skate over the ground without biting in. Too slow in good conditions and you're wasting time and money.

'Talk to someone who knows what they are talking about,' Smitka emphasised. 'If your machine's hydraulic flow is the only question you're asked, move on. Auger size, ground conditions and RPM are equally as important.'

Look up post hole borers for sale

Rock breakers

Since the first rock breaker, or hydraulic hammer, was invented by Atlas Copco forebear Krupp (or possibly by Montalbert, depending on who you ask) in the late s, this excavator attachment has gone on to transform the construction, mining and quarrying industries.

QRB general manager, Fred Carlsson, put the rock breaker at number one on his list 'as it is the highest value attachment required for most excavators in order to be able to compete on most jobs'.

'As it is a big investment for most owners, the key factors to consider are that it is a well-known brand supported by an established business that carries all parts to keep you going,' he said.

'Ensure you are getting value for money by comparing the energy impact, flow rates, etc, as some suppliers will sell a breaker that is too small for the application in order to bring down their price, which means you won't be getting the most out of your machine and attachment investment.'

Look up rock breakers/hydraulic hammers for sale

Hydraulic grab

Adding a hydraulic grab or grapple to an excavator turns it into a versatile machine capable of handling rocks, logs, scrap materials and more' if you can grab it, you can move it.

The attachment's versatility is proven by the number of names given to it ' they're also known as rock grabs, log grabs, static grabs, demolition grabs, stiff arm grabs and box tyne grapples.

'A hydraulic grab fits perfectly with a flair mower,' Jason Delecca said.

'It allows you to clear anything around you. We generally fit a lot of these to our regional contractors' excavators, and they are always very surprised at how much they use them once they are on the machine.'

Carlsson said you should pick your tool for your application, but make sure you buy the right one!

'Log grabs, finger grabs, orange peel grabs for scrap, magnetic grabs, or rotating grabs ' all have specific designs for defined picking purposes,' he said.

Look up hydraulic grabs/grapples for sale

Trenchers

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'You may be somewhat surprised that I placed trenchers as my number two,' Digga's Lionel Smitka said. 'After all, excavators are sold with a bucket which is used for digging trenches ' so why would anyone spend $ on a dedicated trencher?

'Well, a trencher will cut a trench faster than a bucket ' furthermore the spoil extracted from the trench is finer and able to be returned to the trench with little sinkage.

'For any operator trenching serious meters, a dedicated trencher attachment will be more efficient, saving time and money,' Smitka said. 'It is the most underrated excavator attachment on the market.'

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Rotary Twin Head Cutters

Also known as twin-header rock grinders, rotary cutters, hydraulic cutters or simply as twin-headers, this attachment is designed for a variety of applications. This includes trench work in hard and compacted ground, concrete and rock wall profiling, dredging, demolition and quarry work ' really in circumstances where conventional digging systems and percussion tools have little effect.

'Whether cutting out basements for high rise developments, or being a cost effective extraction tool for mining/quarry applications, twin head cutters chip in handy profits in cost-effectively extracting materials in hard-to-get-at-locations,' Fred Carlsson said.

Look up rock grinders for sale

Vibrating Compaction Plates

Also known as hydraulic compactors or compactor plates, vibrating compaction plates are designed for compacting soil, trenches and embankments as well as driving in and pulling out piles, posts and formwork.

The vibration forces of the plates drive soil particles close together for solid, stable compaction in applications from narrow trenches to large backfill operations.

It's generally simple to connect a compactor plate to your machine's existing hydraulics, and is even easier if you have existing hydraulic hammer piping.

Excavator-mounted vibrating plates have a number of benefits over manually operated compactors: they're safer as no one needs to actually stand in the workspace; they generally create less noise; they can be used anywhere the boom can place them; and much of the excavator load is partially transferred to the plate, thus accelerating the compaction process.

Look up compaction plates for sale

Sieve buckets

These buckets are used to sort a wide variety of materials from rock, gravel, soil, bricks and rubble to hot materials such as steel slag. Their applications are equally diverse, from recycling and demolition to feeding crusher units and the remediation of contaminated soil.

Also known as riddle buckets, sorting buckets, shaker buckets or skeleton buckets, they are filled with material and then shaken to allow finer pieces to fall through the grill while retaining larger objects, such as bricks and rubble. It goes without saying that you need to choose an aperture that suits the materials being sorted.

Look up sieve buckets for sale

Buying a used excavator is easier when you follow our short checklist and ask specific questions.

Used JCB JS260 Construction Excavator For Sale

Buying used construction equipment can save you a lot of money relative to buying new equipment. Similar to used cars, used excavator prices decrease with time, wear and tear. You can find good value if you know what to look for and follow our simple inspection checklist.

Used machinery prices fluctuate given the season and economic environment. Also, material costs such as steel can impact the prices. Typically new excavators lose 20-40% of their value after the first year, which makes buying used excavators potentially much cheaper than buying a new excavator.

We have compiled a list of questions that you should ask yourself, as well as a 13 point inspection checklist. Following this simple guide can help you improve your chances of hitting a home run on your next purchase.

Questions To Ask

• Why is this person or business selling? Every seller has a reason. Some owners only like machines covered by warranty, and they sell when that warranty expires. Another seller might be retiring. Find out the reason and see if it makes sense to you.
• What is the maintenance history? Good machines have a well-documented service history. Check to see if there are diligent service records. Also, check to make sure that the machine was serviced at the recommended intervals. Look for any major or abnormal items that might indicate an excavator-specific issue that will require further work or attention down the road.
• Was there prior damage? Look for any notable prior damage, and the steps taken to remedy the issue. Understand if prior issues could mean future liabilities in terms of more parts or service. If there was serious damage, figure out if it impaired the expected service life of the machine.
• What parts or service are required near term? Check to see if any items require attention near-term. Will the seller address them, or will you have to do it? Make a list and calculate the time and cost. You can factor these items into the final sale price discussion.
• What are the representations and warranties the seller is making? Keep a list of the items the seller guarantees, and have it in writing when you close the transaction. Remember, promises are only as good as the person or business making them ' the seller needs to be around to honor the promises. As for references or prior customers to gain further confidence.
• How does this machine compare to newer models? Over time technology and material science improve the performance and reliability of machines. Figure out if there have been any major improvements important to you between the used excavator's manufacture year and today's models.
• Will this machine fit my needs? Machines come in different sizes and are capable of completing different jobs. Make sure that this machine will address all of the tasks for which you require it.

Excavator Inspection Checklist

#1 Buckets & Attachments

Look at the level of wear and tear. Check for scalloping. Take note of the integrity of the welds (check for fissures). Check for rust and excessive wear. Not all rust damage can be repaired or refurbished, so if an item is rusty try to understand if it can be fixed.

#2 Bucket Teeth

Are teeth loose, missing or worn out? Also, check for missing bolts. Bucket teeth are in the middle of all the action get worn down over time. Heavy use often results in teeth with a rounded half-moon shape ' the teeth are still operational, but they lose their efficiency.

#3 Boom & Stick

Look for spillage, rewelds and major dents.

#4 Hydraulic System

Check hoses for breaks and scratches. Also, inspect cylinders to make sure they are in working order.

#5 Slew ring

Check the condition

#6 Engine & Its Components

Do a visual inspection of the exterior, and look for visible wear and tear. Check fluids and make sure they look like they have been maintained properly.

#7 Steering, Pedals & Controls

Check these components to make sure they all perform as expected.

#8 Tracks & Rollers

Look at the condition and any sort of wear and tear that will need to be addressed.

#9 Hour Meter

Does the hour meter work properly and reflect an accurate number? In the past hour meters could be manipulated.

#10 General Condition

What's the overall condition? Has it received TLC from its prior owners?

#11 Listen To It When It Is Running

Use your ears to check for abnormal sounds that might indicate hidden issues.

#12 Check Quality Of Documentation

Good documentation is a sign of a diligent owner. Check for original paperwork and detailed service records.

#13 Inspect Fluids

Often fluids can tell you the internal condition of the engine and other parts. Inspect transmission, engine oil, coolant and hydraulic liquids. Look for sediment buildup, note viscosity, check for leaks or worn-out pieces. Dirty fluids can be a sign of problems down the road.

Do A Test Run

Just like buying a car, it helps to have an operator present to take the excavator for a test run. This enables you to get a feel for how well it will handle, and also a chance to check for any issues that are not noticeable when the machine is idle.

Make sure you check the controls and full range of movements while the machine is running. Vary the operating speed and check the performance at full throttle. Test the range of movements and see if the machine is struggling to respond or keep up.

Hydraulics can be expensive to replace and repair. Listen for abnormal noises, and get a feel for their ability to keep up with the controls.

Observe the engine exhaust when the machine is running. The color of the smoke can give you hints on what is going on inside the engine:

• White Smoke: This can be a sign of a blown gasket. Foreign fluids such as coolant and water can mix in the oil.
• Black Smoke: This can be a sign of filter issues.
• Blue Smoke: This can be a sign of a broken ring or valve seal.

Calculate Total Ownership Cost

When you purchase your machine you should think about the upfront acquisition cost, your operating cost, your maintenance cost and likelihood of downtime costs. A very cheap excavator could cost more than a mid-priced excavator if it has high repair and downtime costs.

Additional costs can include maintenance, fuel, insurance, transportation, oil, filters, hydraulics, etc. Maintenance and upkeep are required for all machines, so it helps to get an idea of what these costs will be before you purchase the equipment.

Downtime can be a major hidden cost. Mechanical failures that cause downtime reduce productivity, increase idle manhours and make customers upset. Further, mechanical failures have many uncertainties. Certain parts can take days or weeks to be fulfilled, and you may not be able to get a replacement machine to continue work near-term.

Summary

We hope these items help you with your next used excavator purchase. You can improve your odds of getting a great deal by doing your research and inspecting the item for sale ahead of time.

Resources

Inspecting a used excavator

Inspecting the undercarriage

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