An excavator is a heavy construction vehicle with a basic structure that can be divided into two main sections: the upper structure and the lower structure. The upper structure, also known as the “house”, is made up of a rotating platform that sits on top of the lower structure, which is called the undercarriage. The house contains the operator’s cab, engine, fluid tanks, and counterweight. The undercarriage is made up of tracks or wheels, a track frame, final drives, and a blade. The tracks allow the excavator to move around the work site.
The excavator also has a working device that’s installed on the rotating platform and rotates with it. The working device includes the boom, arm, and bucket, which work together to perform digging functions:
Bucket: The attachment at the end of the arm that’s responsible for digging, scooping, and carrying materials
Boom: A fundamental component of the excavator
Arm: Also called the stick, this connects the boom to the bucket and helps control the depth and precision of the excavation