Excavators play a crucial role in construction and earthmoving projects.
These versatile machines are designed to dig, lift, and move large amounts of material efficiently. At Luby Equipment Services, we provide a range of excavators to suit various project needs.
Understanding excavators’ key features and applications can help you determine if this powerful machine is the right tool for your project.
Defining the Excavator
An excavator is a heavy construction machine that digs, lifts, and moves large objects. It consists of a boom, dipper (or stick), bucket, and cab on a rotating platform called the “house.” The house sits atop an undercarriage with tracks or wheels. This design allows the excavator to perform various tasks with power and precision.
Excellent resource to service all CASE and Takeuchi machines in the metro area. They can get anything. The staff is always helpful and very knowledgeable.
Excellent dealership with strong core values!
Purchased a Intimidator tree puller from them. Good price and friendly service team.
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for the 4 star review. We would love to hear how we can improve to a 5 star! If there is anything that you need please feel free to reach out to one of our six construction locations. Thank you again for taking the time to give us a rating.
Roger was a great salesman to deal with.
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for the 5 star review! Roger focuses each and every day to give a world class customer experience. We hope to see you soon. Thank you again for taking the time to give us a review.
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for the 5 star review. We strive to deliver a world class customer experience every time we see you. Thank you again and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Jenny is the best!! She will take care of you!
Response from the owner: Pam, thank you! We are grateful for your 5 star review. Jenny does an excellent job and is very focused at providing a world class customer experience. Thank you again and we look forward to working with you in the future.
My experience was great.. I spoke with Jenny and she was more than a huge help. Very professional, friendly and knowledgeable.
Response from the owner: Thank you, Syretha! We are very grateful for your 5 star review. Jenny does an excellent job and is very focused at providing a world class customer experience. Thank you again and we look forward to working with you in the future.
Good guys good equipment
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for the 5 star review. We appreciate your business and strive to deliver the best equipment and service in the industry. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for the 5 star rating. We strive to deliver a world class customer experience each and every day. Thank you again and we hope to see you soon.
My husband rented equipment and worked with Josh. He was very respectful and new what he was talking about to help with all my husband's needs and questions. Very pleased and will be using Luby again in the future!
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for your review and rating. We appreciate your business Jenn and we look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you again and we hope you have a great day!
Great place for equipment and mechanics!
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for your review and rating. We appreciate your business and look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you again and we hope you have a great day!
This is a great piece of equipment. Kevin Peeler is very knowledgeable and made the process easy. We actually didn’t meet until he drove on the job site with my Takeuchi TL6. He earned my confidence over the phone.Mnnnmm
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for your review and rating. Luby Equipment and Kevin are focused on delivering a seamless customer experience on every sale. Thank you again and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Jenny was the best, answered questions on several calls that other dealers could not. I live in KC and shopped auctions, dealers nationwide, Facebook market place. Got my best deal on my TL12V2 machine from Luby with extended warranty. Drove to Fenton and picked up machine. Machine was as described and ready to go as promised. Jenny’s friendliness and listening to my wants sold me! Her boss should give her a raise thanks again!
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for the review and 5 star rating. Our goal is to deliver a world class customer experience on every transaction. We are thankful for your business and look forward to seeing you soon.
This was my first experience with Luby Equipment. Jenny Swafford was my sales person. She promptly made a deal with me working out the transportation and all the details. She kept me in the loop every step of the way and gave me many detailed pictures of the piece of equipment. I do many deals in my line of work and I can tell you she is among the best. I would do business again and hope I can. My experience with Lubys has been the best. I could not be happier. Good job Jenny I wish there were more like you doing business would be a much funner experience. Mike.
Response from the owner: Thank you Mike for your review and rating. Our goal is to deliver a world class customer experience each and every day. We appreciate your business and look forward to doing more with you in the future. Thank you again for the kind words and hope you have a wonderful day!
Response from the owner: Thank you so much for giving us a 5 star rating. We strive each and every day to deliver world class customer service. We appreciate your business and look forward to seeing you soon.
I recently purchased 2 machines from Luby Equipment and worked with Jenny Swafford. She was fantastic to work with and I am very pleased with the equipment and how easy Luby was to work with. Highly recommend them to anyone looking to purchase equipment.
Response from the owner: Thank you Steve for giving us a 5 star rating. We are very appreciative of your business and look forward to working with you again.
Response from the owner: Thank you so much for the 5 star review Michael! We strive to reach our customer's highest expectations!
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for rating us. We strive to deliver the best customer experience in the industry. Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to improve.
Response from the owner: Thank you very much giving us a 5 star rating. We are grateful for your business and look forward to seeing you soon.
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for the 5 star rating! Our goal is to give each and every customer the best customer experience in the industry. We look forward to seeing you soon and hope you have a great week. Thank you again for your continued business.
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for rating us. We strive for a 5 star rating from our customers so please let us know how we can improve your experience. Thank you again for rating us and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Response from the owner: Thank you Mike for giving us a 4 star review. Our goal is ensure our customers are happy with the services they receive each and every time they do business with us. If there is anything in particular that we can do better, please let us know. Thank you again for your review and we look forward to doing business with you soon.
Great service and great staff
Response from the owner: Carlos,Thank you very much for rating us! We appreciate it and look forward to doing business with you in the future. Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to improve.
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for rating us. We strive to be the best construction equipment dealer in the area.
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for rating us! We look forward to doing business with you in the near future.
Pricey, but thay are willing to help you with parts and repair, fast if you need
Response from the owner: Thank you for your review Richard! We always appreciate your business!
Response from the owner: Thank you for the review! We appreciate your business!
Great rental store best prices on case A++
Response from the owner: Thank you for your review! We appreciate your business!
Critical Components of an Excavator
- Boom: This is the long arm of the excavator attached to the house.
- Dipper (or Stick): Connected to the end of the boom, the dipper holds the bucket and controls its angle.
- Bucket: The business end of the excavator, which is used for digging and scooping.
- Cab: Where the operator sits, containing all controls and often featuring climate control for comfort.
- House: The rotating platform that contains the engine and hydraulic components.
- Undercarriage: The machine’s base, typically featuring tracks for stability and maneuverability.
How an Excavator Works
Excavators operate using a complex hydraulic system. The operator uses joysticks and foot pedals to control the movement of the boom, dipper, and bucket, as well as the rotation of the house and the movement of the tracks.
The hydraulic system provides the power to lift heavy loads and dig through tough soil. Skilled operators can manipulate the controls to perform precise digging, lifting, and placing operations.
Types of Excavators
There are several types of excavators, each designed for specific applications:
- Crawler Excavators: These feature tracks instead of wheels, providing excellent stability and traction in rough terrain.
- Wheeled Excavators: These are more mobile than crawler excavators and ideal for projects requiring frequent movement between sites.
- Mini Excavators: Compact machines perfect for small jobs or tight spaces.
- Long Reach Excavators: Featuring an extended boom and arm for work in hard-to-reach areas.
Common Uses for Excavators
Excavators are incredibly versatile machines with many applications in construction and earth-moving projects. Their primary functions include:
- Digging trenches, holes, and foundations
- Lifting and placing heavy materials
- Demolition work (with specialized attachments)
Excavators are essential in construction for laying utility lines and preparing construction sites. Their powerful lifting capabilities make them ideal for placing heavy pipes and other large construction materials.
Excavators also play crucial roles in various industries:
- Landscaping: Reshaping terrain and creating drainage systems
- Water management: Dredging rivers and lakes
- Mining and quarrying: Extracting and moving large volumes of material
- Winter maintenance: Snow removal in areas with heavy snowfall
With specialized attachments, excavators become even more versatile, tackling tasks like:
- Breaking up concrete
- Drilling holes
- Compacting soil
- Grinding tree stumps
Excavators’ adaptability across these diverse applications demonstrates their importance in modern construction and earthmoving operations. From small residential projects to large-scale industrial work, excavators repeatedly prove their value.
Advantages of Using an Excavator
Excavators offer several significant benefits on construction sites:
- Power and Efficiency: Excavators can move large amounts of earth quickly and efficiently.
- Versatility: With a wide range of attachments available, excavators can perform many different tasks.
- Precision: Despite their size, excavators can perform precise digging and lifting operations.
- Safety: The enclosed cab and long reach protect operators from hazardous areas.
- Cost-Effective: By performing multiple tasks, excavators can reduce the need for additional specialized equipment.
Choosing the Right Excavator
When selecting an excavator, consider factors such as:
- Size and Power: Excavators range from compact mini-excavators to massive mining machines.
- Dig Depth: Different models offer varying maximum dig depths.
- Lift Capacity: Consider the weight of materials you’ll need to move.
- Attachments: Many excavators can be fitted with attachments like breakers, grapples, or augers.
- Terrain: Choose between tracked or wheeled models based on the job site conditions.
Maintenance and Care
Regular maintenance is crucial for keeping an excavator operating efficiently and safely. This typically includes daily inspections of fluid levels, tracks or tires, and bucket teeth. Moving parts require regular lubrication to prevent wear and ensure smooth operation.
The hydraulic system, essential to an excavator’s functionality, needs regular checks and maintenance. Adjusting track tension is an essential part of upkeep for crawler excavators. Periodic engine service is also necessary to maintain the excavator’s performance and longevity.
At Luby Equipment Services, our skilled technicians are experienced in maintaining and repairing a wide range of excavator models, helping to keep your machine in top working condition.
Safety Considerations
Operating an excavator requires skill and attention to safety. Key safety practices include:
- Always wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Conducting thorough pre-operation inspections
- Being aware of the machine’s swing radius and potential blind spots
- Never exceeding the machine’s rated lift capacity
- Ensuring proper stabilization before operating, especially on uneven ground
Excavators are indeed the workhorses of the construction world. Their power, versatility, and precision make them indispensable on many job sites. Whether you’re digging foundations, landscaping, or tackling a major earthmoving project, an excavator can get the job done efficiently and effectively.
Contact Us Today
Luby Equipment Services offers a range of high-quality excavators from trusted manufacturers. Our team of experts can help you choose the right excavator for your needs, provide training on its operation, and offer ongoing maintenance and support. Whether you’re looking to buy, rent, or service an excavator, we’re here to help you make the most of this versatile machine.
