Excavators are utilized for a variety of applications. Identify excavator applications, and any attachments required to perform those applications. In addition, comment on the machine characteristics which you feel make it desirable (positive characterisitics/affordances) for the particular application. Since few things have only desirable/positive characteristics be sure to address the negative characteristics (constraints) as well.
1 comment so far ↓
I’ll kick this off. One application for an excavator is lifting/craning objects, such as the trench box in the photo. Excavators have relatively large lift capacities (proportional to the machine’s size). They are also much more stable than machines on tires. In addition they have excellent reach, which allows for easier positioning of a load. Unfortunately, one major disadvantage of a hydraulic excavator is that its lift capacity changes throughout its range of motion. This means that you may be able to lift a load that is directly in front of, and close to the machine, but as the machine swings, and/or the load is moved away from the machine, the capacity reduces, which may result in tipping. As for attachments, rigging hardware such as clevises, shackles, hooks, slings, chains, and wire rope are necessary. In addition some form of padding may be necessary to protect the load and/or the rigging hardware.
Leave a Comment