A crawler excavator is an earthmoving machine that can dig trenches, load trucks, lift pipe, and handle attachments, such as hydraulic breakers, shears, and grapples. On this page, find the best excavators with operating weights between 20,000 and 40,000 pounds.
Bobcat Excavator
The E165 excavator (above) is the largest excavator in the company’s lineup yet sized to transport to and from the job site. Similar to the E145, the E165 complements the performance of 700 and 800 frame size Bobcat compact track and skid steer loaders. The excavator is designed for heavy digging and lifting operations on commercial and residential building sites, underground utility applications, and road and bridge projects. The conventional tail swing unit is equipped with a 131-horsepower engine, and has more slew torque for slewing uphill, backfilling, and all-around better productivity, Bobcat says. An X-frame undercarriage is engineered for increased ground clearance and maneuverability in softer ground conditions. It has sloped surfaces that shed debris to prevent material buildup and reduce the time spent cleaning the undercarriage.
Case Excavator
The CX145D SR features a compact counterweight and modified boom placement for restricted job site conditions, such as road and bridge work, utilities, urban construction, and landscaping applications. With an operating weight of 32,100 pounds and a 102-horsepower Tier 4-F engine, the CX145D SR offers bucket digging forces up to 21,400 lb.-ft. and lift capacities up to 21,350 pounds. Options include a dozer blade configuration as well as the choice between either steel or rubber tracks depending on operating conditions and job site requirements. An electronically controlled hydraulic pump and larger control and solenoid valves increase lifting capacities and improve responsiveness, the company says. All D Series excavators are covered under Case ProCare–a suite of product assurances that includes a three-year Advanced Case SiteWatch telematics subscription, a three-year/3,000-hour full- machine factory warranty, and a three-year/3,000- hour planned maintenance contract.
Caterpillar Excavator
The 315 GC Next Gen compact radius excavator has a new cab design, lowers maintenance costs by up to 25 percent, and reduces fuel consumption, according to the company. Delivering high ambient temperature operation capability reaching 125 F, the Cat C3.6 engine powering the 315 GC meets Tier 4-F emission standards. New Smart Mode operation automatically matches engine and hydraulic power to digging conditions, optimizing fuel consumption and machine performance. Combined with ECO mode operation that saves fuel in less demanding applications, the 315 GC Next Gen excavator reduces fuel consumption by up to 15 percent compared to the 315F. It also features a new main hydraulic control valve that eliminates the need for pilot lines, reduces pressure losses, and lowers fuel consumption. The excavator’s larger cab design has larger front, rear, and side windows with narrow cab pillars to provide a 60 percent greater vertical visibility compared to the 315F.
Doosan Excavator
DX170LC-5 is a 17-metric-ton model that falls below the 80,000 gross vehicle weight rating limit for simplified and less expensive transportation, the company says. It is aimed at small- to mid-size contractors who perform light excavation projects, such as digging residential basements or commercial building footings, and reduces the need to obtain a special transport permit when moving to and from job sites. The width and combined weight between the machine, trailer, and Class 7 towing vehicle meets current transportation requirements. Owners should still check local requirements when transporting equipment. Similar to other “dash 5” Doosan crawler excavators, the DX170LC-5 will offer four power modes for more control to better balance fuel consumption and machine power to the working conditions.
Hitachi Excavator
Three Hitachi excavators fall into the 20,000- to 40,000-pound size class: the ZX130-6 (26,674 pounds) features large idlers, rollers, strutted track links, and a sealed and lubricated undercarriage; the ZX135US-6 (31,500 pounds) has a tight tail-swing radius to work in and around obstacles, and an Isuzu Tier 4-F engine; and the ZX160LC-6 (39,024 pounds) features simplified maintenance like a battery disconnect switch. On the ZX160LC-6, the engine oil, fuel and hydraulic pilot oil filters are all located on the same side at ground level for easy servicing.
Hyundai Excavator
The HX85A is the largest of the company’s compact excavator models and fills a transitional spot in the excavator product line between the compact and full-sized machines. It is powered by a Yanmar 4TNV98C engine delivering 65 net horsepower at 2,400 rpm. The HX85A has an operating weight of 20,390 pounds including the 12-foot 10-inch two-piece boom, and an 8-foot 11-inch minimum swing radius. The standard bucket capacity (SAE heaped) is 0.33 cubic yards. An optional four-way dozer blade is designed to make backfilling and grading more efficient and precise.
JCB Excavator
The 150X is a 15-ton machine powered by a 109-horsepower engine. It has a dig depth of 19 feet 10 inches and is built with a fully welded X-frame under-carriage designed for durability. For enhanced strength, it features rigid upper frames, flat revolver side skirts, and double-skinned doors with plated hinges. The company’s CommandPlus cab has an injection-molded interior and a Grammer seat with 145-degree recline and adjustable arm rests. T-bars with optimized ergonomics are standard.
John Deere Excavator
The 200G is designed to combine with the company’s broad bucket portfolio, coupler options, and attachments—along with accelerated swing speed—to perform in many applications, including site development, roadbuilding, earthmoving, and irrigation work. It features a 145-horsepower Tier 4-F John Deere PowerTech PSS 4.5-liter engine and burns 11 percent less fuel than the 210G. Adjustable power modes, including ECO and POWER settings, can be set by the operator based on the job, engaging the machine to automatically change engine rpm and hydraulic pump calibration. With fuel savings in mind, the ECO mode setting allows the machine to automatically adjust to arrive at the best balance of fuel consumption and productivity, Deere says.
KOBELCO Excavator
KOBELCO’s SK140SRLC-7 crawler excavator has an operating weight of 32,800 pounds and a maximum dig depth of 19 feet 7 inches. The 105-horsepower excavator has a maximum digging force of 24,800 pounds and a dumping height of 23 feet 4 inches. Digging reach is 28 feet 11 inches with bucket digging force of 12,600 lb.-ft. Enhanced multifunction capabilities include an attachment selection system with adjustable flow-rate presets for the bucket, breaker, nibbler, and thumb, allowing the operator to change between tools quickly and easily. Unit is also available with an optional offset boom that increases stability and maneuverability while working in confined areas, such as next to walls or close to traffic, according to the company.
Komatsu Excavator
With an operating weight of 28,660 pounds, the PC130- 11 can be trans- ported on a tag trailer without permits. The 97.2-horsepower conventional tail swing machine features steel castings in the boom foot, boom nose, and arm tip for long-term durability. Fuel consumption has been decreased by 12 percent over the previous model, the company says, and its auto-idle shut down function can be set to automatically stop the engine after a preset amount of idle time. The fuel-saving viscous fan clutch also reduces engine load when maximum cooling is not needed. Operators can choose from six working modes to optimize productivity and fuel efficiency. Its large one- piece hood and ground-level daily checks make it easy to service.
Liebherr Excavator
The smallest Liebherr crawler excavator, the R 914 Compact, features a Tier 4-F diesel engine and particularly high breakout forces. The sensitivity of the hydraulic system enables the operator to work with precision at high speeds, even when moving, the company says. A short rear slewing radius of just over 5 feet delivers greater safety for both operator and machine. The Tier 4-F engine output (SAE J1349) is 121 horsepower, and the tail radius is 5 feet 1 inch. Bucket capacities range from .42 to 1.05 cubic yards, and operating weights run from 33,730 pounds (without backfill blade) to 36,380 pounds (with blade).
Link-Belt Excavator
Link-Belt Precision Grade—powered by Trimble Earthworks—upgrade kits are available for the company’s 160 X4, 245 X4 Spin Ace, and 350 X4 excavators. These kits provide all necessary components, hardware, and software required to upgrade a standard machine to 2D/MG (Machine Guidance) or 2D/ MC (Machine Control), or upgrade a machine with 2D/MG already installed to a 2D/MC-capable machine. The system uses technology from Trimble to pro-vide the operator with visual and audible indication when they are above, below, or at their desired target grade. The 2D/MC system provides these capabilities and adds autonomous control of the boom and bucket while the operator controls the speed of the stick to maintain a consistently smooth flat or sloping surface. Kit component warranty is valid for 12 months after successful registration. All parts have a 1-year/1,800-hour warranty.
LiuGong Excavator
The 909ECR 9-metric ton midi-excavator is a limited tail-swing design in the 8- to 10-metric ton size class, with a wide undercarriage. It has a bucket capacity of 0.3 to 0.42 cubic yards. Lifting capacity at ground level is over 11,500 pounds, and it is powered by a 62-horsepower Yanmar engine. The improved cab design offers operators better line-of-site as well as standard features like rear cameras, proportional joystick controls, an air suspension seat, and an enhanced monitor. An operator can now control and diagnose high-level machine operations through the monitor. Two-speed travel with auto downshift, and steel tracks with rubber street pads, come standard with the 909ECR, allowing use in a variety of work site conditions.
Sany Excavator
The SY155U is a short-radius excavator for those in the market for a medium-sized excavator at the lower end of the mid-size market. Powered by a 105-horsepower Isuzu engine and weighing in at 35,274 pounds, the SY155U offers a nearly 18-foot dig depth capability and a 27-foot 4-inch overall maximum reach while offering a minimal tail swing. Bucket breakout is rated for 23,155 pounds. The SY155U offers a suite of standard features, such as easy-to-access filters, in-display diagnostics, and LED work lights. In addition, it has quick coupler plumbing and preplumbed auxiliary lines to make connecting and controlling attachments quick and easy. The main pumps are made by Kawasaki.
Takeuchi Excavator
The TB2150 weighs 34,480 pounds, has a maximum digging depth of 18 feet, maximum dump height of 20 feet 4.9 inches, maxi- mum reach of 28 feet 8.9 inches, and maximum bucket breakout force of 22,190 pounds. The Deutz TCD 3.6L turbocharged diesel engine is Tier 4-F compliant and produces 114 horsepower, a 10 percent increase over the previous version, the TB1140 Series 2. It also delivers 339 lb.-ft. of torque, which is a 19 percent increase. The operator’s station has been completely revamped with an automotive-styled interior. The cabin features a heated deluxe high-back air suspension seat, and the color multi-information display keeps the operator informed of machine performance. In addition, the excavator includes boom and arm holding valves, an overload alarm, and a rearview camera to view objects behind the machine on the monitor.
Volvo Excavator
The Dig Assist machine control application for excavators has been updated to make it faster and easier to create plans and put more information at operators’ fingertips. New features include a customizable interface for In-Field Design making it easier to draw shapes for building foundations and custom trenches; an angle grid screen makes it faster and easier to draw shapes in Plan and Profile modes; the ability to use Trimble Earthworks with Dig Assist, or upgrade to have Topcon 3DMC, which-ever is preferred; the ability to use Dig Assist with additional attachments, including a SteelWrist Rotator, Tilt Bucket, and Tilt Coupler; and Team Viewer, which enables a dealer and Volvo technicians to access the Co-Pilot display remotely to help customers diagnose and solve issues in real time. Additional joystick presets allow multiple operators to set their own preferences when using a single machine.
Wacker Neuson Excavator
The ET145 is avail- able with rubber or hybrid tracks allow the machine to access finished surfaces without leaving marks; steel tracks are also available. A full-size heavy-duty dozer blade helps with backfilling and grading jobs while adding additional stability. The 127-degree boom swing allows operators to dig along walls and trenches, work around pipes, and dig along traffic lanes. It is powered by a 74-horse- power, Tier 4-F Perkins turbocharged diesel engine. Typical applications are heavy utility work in confined spaces, public works applications in urban areas, and residential construction with limited space. The machine produces a breakout force of 20,500 pounds and digging depth of 18 feet.
