The main advantage of a mini excavator is its manoeuvrability and ability to work in confined spaces. When choosing a new mini excavator, you have to ask yourselves and to fully understand what it is exactly that you are looking for. One of the key features that a vendor will specify is excavator’s total power. The overall power is more important for theoretical comparisons, but has only minimal value in practice. A more specific criteria for selecting an excavator is its digging force expressed in kN (kilonewtons). The digging force is the strength of the mechanical action on the soil, which causes the bucket to sink into the ground.
So what do you really need to know about mini excavators and what exact type do you really need?
First of all, you have to define the basic tasks of your new mini excavator, i.e., how often and how deep you will dig, whether you will use the mini excavator as a crane, mount a hydraulic drill, a hammer, or a brushcutter, and what will be its operating conditions. Only this will you help you to decide what characteristics and equipment is the best for you. For example, some small excavators are good for excavation works, whereas loading a dump truck or another task would seem quite problematic. If the main volume of works consists of shallow trenching, then buying ultra high-power equipment makes no sense. However, if frequent and deep digging, various drilling operations, and loading onto vehicles are required, then you should consider purchasing a mini excavator of higher capacity, higher maximum weight and greater digging depth.
Below we will discuss main criterias for choosing a new mini excavator. Let us look at a new generation of 1-2 tonne Cat® mini excavators made by Caterpillar, one of the world's leading manufacturers of construction machinery.
Galvenie izvēles kritēriji : 1-2 tonnas mini ekskavatori
Ir visai grūti noteikt, kurš miniekskavators ir vislabākais. Lai to paveiktu, jāpievērš uzmanība tā paredzētajam pielietojumam un funkcionalitātei.
Dažādi šīs nelielās tehnikas paveicamie darbi var būt:
- Tranšeju rakšana, kabeļu likšana, gāzesvadu likšana, ūdensapgādes vai kanalizācijas sistēmu uzstādīšana
- Beramkravu iekraušana transportlīdzekļos
- Dažādu akmeņu izrakšana vai grāvju rakšana
- Būvobjektu attīrīšana
- Citi darbi, kas paveikti ar hidraulisko urbi, āmuru, krūmgriezi utt.
301.5 UN 301.6 MODEĻI:
Runājot par darbu veikšanu, ir svarīgi apsvērt to, cik efektīvs būs jaunais miniekskavators. Piemēram, komunikācijas vai elektrības kabeļu uzstādīšanai nepieciešama 80cm dziļa tranšeja. Ja ekskavators iegādāts tikai šiem nolūkiem, jūs tos lieliski paveiksiet ar Cat301.5 / 301.6. Darba paveikšana ar šiem miniekskavatoriem šaurās vietās ir vienkārša un ērta.
Nepārtrauktas kāpurķēdes ir vēl viens kritērijs, kas demonstrē šīs tehnikas pirmšķirīgo veiktspēju visos laikapstākļos. Turklāt šo kāpurķēžu šasiju ar vienas pogas spiedienu vadības panelī iespējams paplašināt no 990mm līdz 1300mm. Pateicoties šī ekskavatora mazajam svaram, to uz objektu iespējams transportēt pat ar treileri, ko velk jaudīgāks automobilis. Nepārtrauktas kāpurķēdes, šasijas paplašināšana un mazs kopējais svars kopīgs visiem Cat 1-2 tonnu miniekskavatoriem.
301.8 AND 302 CR MODELS:
Trenching of water supply and sewage networks requires more powerful equipment. Here you might wonder if you could do with a mini excavator of a smaller digging force? You could, but in this case you should not expect any efficiency. However, the Cat 301.8 and 302 CR mini excavators are specially designed for this kind of work.Compared to previous models, the operating costs of these excavators are smaller by as much as 15%. In addition, they have a higher digging force, which was made possible because of the higher working pressure in the hydraulic system (refer to the table for comparative parameters for the new Cat models weighing 1-2 tonnes).
These mini excavators do a great job of deeper trenching, digging ditches, or loading onto low-sided trucks. In addition, the cabs of these new models are easy to lift, making maintenance easier, faster and cheaper. For example, lifting the cab gives you full access during inspection and maintenance. Hydraulic control, lubrication, filter inspection and replacement points are easily accessible. This ensures quick service and maintenance.
A higher digging power and manoeuvrability mean that excavation works can be done within shorter periods of time.
Besides, these excavators feature:
- variable-speed hydraulic pump,
- automatic idle speed mode,
- automatic chassis two-speed mode
- digging load setting mode
All these feautures optimize not only the hydraulic power and performance, but also fuel consumption of these machines.
Jauno 1-2 tonnu Cat mini ekskavatoru modeļu salīdzinošie parametri:
| Model | 301.5 / 301.6 | 301.8 | 302CR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kopējā jauda, kW/ZS | 16.1 kW/ 21.6 ZS | 16.1 kW/ 21.6 ZS | 16.1 kW/ 21.6 ZS |
| Rakšanas spēks, kN | 7.2 | 9.8 | 9.8 |
| Darba spiediens rakšanas laikā, bar | 213 | 245 | 245 |
| Sliežu platums, mm | 990 mm (ievilkta šasija) 1 300 mm (izvilkta šasija) | 990 mm (ievilkta šasija) 1 300 mm (izvilkta šasija) | 1 090 mm (ievilkta šasija 1 400 mm (izvilkta šasija) |
| Maksimālais rakšanas dziļums, mm | 2340 (ar standarta garuma strēli) | 2370 (ar standarta garuma strēli) | 2370 (ar standarta garuma strēli) |
| Svars (maksimālais), kg | 301.5 – 1760 301.6 – 1960 | 2 025 | 2 200 |
1-2 tonnes Cat mini excavators at work
Miniekskavatora vadība
Cat 1-2 tonnu miniekskavatori ir aprīkoti ar modernu elektronisko sistēmu augstākajai kvalitātei, drošībai un komfortam. Šo ekskavatoru vadīšanai jums nepieciešamas minimālas iemaņas, taču, lai spētu izmantot visu to potenciālu, ir rūpīgi jāiepazīstas ar to tehniskajām īpašībām.
Darbojoties ar Cat miniekskavatoru, operators izmanto tikai pielāgošanas un pārvaldības ekrāna iekšējo vadību.
Mūsdienu miniekskavatora operatori pārstāv paaudzi, kas uzauga, spēlējot videospēles, tāpēc kursorsviras izmantošanas apgūšana miniekskavatora vadībai nav tik sarežģīta. Ar vienu pogas spiedienu jūs varat pārņemt vadību no pedāļiem un kloķiem, proti, kreisās puses kursorsvirai ir dzeltena poga, kas aktivizē sistēmu, ļaujot jums izmantot kursorsviru, lai kustētos uz priekšu, atpakaļ un pagrieztos.
Kad šī sistēma ir izslēgta, jūs varat braukt vai pagriezties tāpat kā tradicionālā miniekskavatorā, izmantojot ierastos kāju pedāļus. Jūs varat izmantot labās puses kursorsviru, lai pielāgotu asmeni, strēli un kausu vai uzstādītā papildaprīkojuma (piemēram, hidrauliskā āmura) sagāzumu.
INTERIOR AND COMFORT OF OPERATOR CAB
The operator’s cab is a comfortable workplace with an adjustable suspension seat, wrist rests, inertia-reel seat belts as well as opening windscreen and skylight.
The LCD screen allows you to check key readings, including the performance and fuel consumption. By linking your smartphone, you will receive all phone calls directly from the display. The display also allows you to adjust the air temperature in the cab. The Bluetooth feature lets you find your favourite radio station or listen to your own playlist, and when you start the engine you certainly will not hear the noise from the engine – the excavator is soundproof.
With the local language set on the display, you can use the buttons to control the speed of the hydraulic system, select the level of response to the joystick movement, or activate the cruise control mode. All of these functions can be controlled not only using buttons on the monitor, but also the lever knob on the right side of the operator’s seat.
Fault Detection and Troubleshooting
- Breakdowns in Cat mini excavators are relatively rare, but improper maintenance of many important parts may result in their failure. These machines have many advantages and require regular maintenance, high quality original parts and consumables to maintain their proper functioning. Therefore, check the mini excavator before each start, i.e., go around and make sure that there are no cracks, loose bolts or studs, and no traces of grease leakage.
- These machines must be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. This means that not only the performance of routine maintenance tasks is required, but also timely lubrication of friction bushings, cleaning of dirt accumulated on the excavator, and any other procedures necessary to maintain the machine in working order. Performing the said procedures in a timely manner will help to prevent serious excavator failures.
- Mini excavators have many functions and in some cases are used to perform non-standard tasks. For example, depending on the customer’s needs, the excavators may be equipped with accessories such as hydraulic scissors or hydraulic hammers that may accelerate the wear of bushings or even separate assemblies. In such a case, additional and more frequent maintenance is required.
- Although the internal combustion engines of Cat® mini excavators are very reliable, improper use of machinery, lack of regular maintenance or normal wear and tear may damage even the most durable equipment. Occasionally it may be necessary to clean or replace the nozzles or to repair and adjust the high-pressure fuel pump.
- Although rare, faults may also occur in the electronic sensing and control system. However, if the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations and guidelines are followed, the Cat® mini excavators will amaze you with their reliability, performance, economy and durability.
The need for precision in construction is increasing day by day. Therefore Caterpillar’s primary goal is to equip the construction machinery with modern semi-automated control systems. These new mini excavators have been proving their reliability in difficult conditions for years, so it is no wonder that this is the world’s most popular brand in the mini excavator market.
For more information about Cat® Mini Excavators and how to choose it for your business needs, please contact our representative:
in Estonia: info.ee@avesco-cat.com
in Latvia: info.lv@avesco-cat.com
in Lithuania: info.lt@avesco-cat.com
