Manufacturers of excavators in the 60,000- to 80,000-pound class are offering different technology levels, price points, or "tiers"--depending on an OEM's particular parlance--for the same size machine. In other words, there can be up to three different versions of the same excavator.
What are the current trends for acquiring excavators?
And none of them has to do with long reach or anything that dramatically affects appearance.
The differences are mostly inside in terms of the level of technology and other bells and whistles or lack thereof. Fuel efficiency and hydraulics also play a role.
About the Author
Frank Raczon
Frank Raczon has covered and influenced the equipment industry for 35 years, including 15 years as senior editor of Construction Equipment, and marketing, advertising, and public relations work with the industry's top manufacturers. In addition to authoring "Caterpillar: Modern Earthmoving Marvels" (Motorbooks, 2015), he has won numerous awards in his career, highlighted by nods from the Construction Writers Association, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, the Business Marketing Association, and BtoB magazine. Raczon has also won a number of awards from publishing peer groups such as ASBPE and TABPI.