Excavator 101: Understanding the Heavy Equipment’s Key Parts

Curious about the main parts of an excavator? Read on! Below we dive into the essential excavator parts and their functions.

What Makes the Excavator Move?

The lowest section in the excavator, known as the undercarriage, is a collection of parts that moves the machine.

The Tracks

The excavator moves across a worksite using tracks, rather than wheels. These tracks are built from reinforced plates. The plates run over rollers and are connected by pins.

The Track Frame

The track frame is a rectangular shape and has track bodies on its sides. The excavator is able to swivel around thanks to a collection of parts on the track frame, including the swing bearing and slew ring.

The Final Drives

The final drives get power to the tracks. They are made of various parts, such as a hydraulic motor and gearing system connected by a drive shaft to the engine. The design allows the tracks to be powered individually, which allows the excavator to turn.

How Does the Operator Control the Excavator?

The Operator Cab

The excavator's controls and the operator's seat are found in the operator cab. This part of the excavator is an enclosed cabin, which helps protect the operator from nuisances such as poor weather and kicked-up allergens.

The Counterweight

An excavator could tip over due to the weight of a fully extended digging arm. That's why excavators come with a counterweight. This safety precaution is placed towards the rear of the machine and in the upper housing.

The Engine

The engine plays two key roles: powering the tracks and powering the hydraulic pumps.

The pumps help move pressurized oil to the swing motor, the arms, and the accessories on the excavator. Another pump, which is lower pressure, works to reduce the effort needed by the operator to use the controls.

The Fuel and Hydraulic Fluid Tanks

These parts are located close to the engine and in the rear housing area. This makes refueling the excavator quick and easy.

## How Does the Excavator's Arm Move?

The Boom

The boom controls the up and down movements. It's connected to the front of the house and is found on the upper part of the digging arm.

The Stick

The stick provides the digging motion and is connected to the boom by a hinged joint.

The Bucket

The bucket scoops and dumps materials. It's connected to the end of the stick by a hinged joint.

Want more information about excavators? Looking to explore excavators for sale? Whatever you need, the experts at Stribling Equipment are here to help. Contact us or stop by one of our dealerships. We are based throughout Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas.