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I often hear excavators called the “Swiss Army knife” of the construction industry, and it’s true — they’re multi-tasking machines capable on practically any jobsite. A lot of people attribute their flexibility to a broad range of class sizes with multiple attachment options, but you may not realize that a big part of what makes these machines so versatile isn’t what’s on the end of the excavator arm — it’s the boom.
If you’re new to excavators, or if you use product brochures to spec machines, these excavator boom tips may be beneficial the next time you’re in the market for a machine for a specific application.
Mono Boom (Standard Boom): This is what we call the standard setup — it provides good reach and a decent bucket size range and is the most popular setup by far. Some customers use a mass excavation setup, which is a shorter boom and short stick. They go this route because they can put a bigger bucket on it. Using our 42-ton Volvo 380E excavator as an example, you have the choice of a 20′ 4″ (6.2 m) mass excavation boom with an 8′ 4″ stick, which allows you to put on that bigger bucket and move more material. Plus, it’s faster because you don’t have as far to swing. It’s one of the most productive setups, but you can be limited by reach.
Two-Piece Boom: Two-piece excavator booms are very versatile and can actually outlift a mono boom up close to the machine. The mono boom, however, gives you more reach and outlifts a two-piece boom at full extension. Two-piece booms allow you to change the bend of the excavator boom to decrease its working height, which is ideal for digging under a bridge or in a building, for example. The price difference between a mono boom and two-piece boom isn’t very significant, which gives you options to get the configuration you need to best suit the work at hand.
Long-Reach Boom: Long-reach excavator booms are great for cleaning out ponds and canals — jobs where you’re digging out in water and need the extra reach. Boom length varies based on manufacturer and machine model. For example, the long-reach version of the Volvo EC380 excavator is 27′ 11″ (8.5 m) compared to the 21′ 2″ (6.45 m) standard boom and 16′ 5″ (5 m) arm that provide a max reach of 48′ 5″ (14.75 m).
Two-Piece Offset Boom: The two-piece offset excavator boom is another option on some models. A two-piece offset boom knuckles off to the right or the left. If, for example, you’re working in a tight alley with limited swing, you can knuckle the boom over so that it digs in line with one of the tracks up next to a structure. Note on large machines it will decrease your lifting capacity because you have a knuckle and the cylinders out on the boom, so you’re increasing the weight that’s out in front of the machine. Two-piece offset booms are more expensive and can require additional maintenance. This excavator boom configuration is popular in cities with extremely tight workspaces.
In general, a large percentage of customers go with a two-piece boom on wheeled excavators and a standard mono boom on crawler excavators.
A Note on Wheeled Excavators
Wheeled excavators are becoming more and more popular in the U.S. because contractors are learning that they dig just like a crawler excavator but are more versatile. Just pull the outriggers up and drive across the neighborhood or down the street. Or use them for lifters, barriers on the highway, etc. and you won’t tear up the ground. When you’re ready for a different job, just fold up the outriggers, drive to your next jobsite and get to work again.
With outriggers, wheeled machines are just as stable as comparable crawlers — and in some instances, wheeled excavators actually have a wider footprint than a crawler and are more stable. In muddy or rough conditions, crawler excavators are better for the job — but if you’ve never considered a wheeled excavator for your type of work, check them out.
A Unique Value, Only from Volvo
Where Volvo differentiates itself from competitors is in our lifetime frame and structure warranty on all our excavator booms, arms and frames. We’re the only manufacturer that offers this guarantee. When you buy from Volvo, you don’t have to worry about breaking them — they’re guaranteed for life.
View our full excavator lineup to start comparing which machine and boom configuration is right for your job.
And if you’re ready to buy, Volvo dealers across North America have a range of medium and large excavators in stock and ready for your next job. Buy now and take advantage of our special financing with rates as low as 0% for 36 months.
By John Waldron
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Contact us to discuss your requirements of excavator bucket capacity. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
If you're not familiar with excavators, or if you use product manuals to specify a machine, these boom tips may be helpful the next time you're in the market for a machine for a specific application.
Long-Reach Boom: Long-reach booms are great for cleaning out ponds and canals — jobs where you’re digging out in the water and need the extra reach. Boom length varies based on manufacturer and machine model. For example, the long-reach version of the Volvo EC380 excavator is 27′ 11″ (8.5 m) compared to the 21′ 2″ (6.45 m) standard boom and 16′ 5″ (5 m) arm that provides a max reach of 48′ 5″ (14.75 m).
Mono Boom (Standard Boom): This is what we call the standard setup - it offers good coverage and the right range of bucket sizes and is by far the most popular setup. Some customers use mass excavation setups, which are shorter moving arms and shorter bucket bars.
Long-Reach Boom
Two-piece booms: Two-piece booms are very versatile and can actually out-lift a mono boom up close to the machine. The mono boom, however, gives you more reach and out-lifts a two-piece boom at full extension. Two-piece booms allow you to change the bend of the boom to decrease its working height, which is ideal for digging under a bridge or in a building, for example. The price difference between a mono boom and a two-piece boom isn’t very significant, which gives you options to get the configuration you need to best suit the work at hand.
Two-piece offset arm: The two-piece offset arm is another option for some excavator models. The two-piece offset arm turns to the right or left. For example, if you are working in a narrow alley with a limited swing, you can turn the boom up so that it is aligned with one of the tracks next to the building. Note that on larger machines, it reduces your lifting capacity because your steering knuckles and cylinders are on the moving boom, so you add weight to the front of the machine. Two-piece offset booms are more expensive and may require additional maintenance. This boom configuration is popular in cities where the workspace is extremely tight.
In general, most customers use a two-piece boom on wheeled excavators and a standard single boom on crawler excavators.
Wheeled excavators are becoming increasingly popular in the United States as contractors learn that they dig in the same way as crawler excavators, but are more versatile. Simply pull the outriggers up and drive through neighborhoods or along streets. Or use them on lifts, highway barriers, and more - you won't tear up the ground. When you're ready for a different job, just fold the outriggers, drive to the next job site, and get back to work.
With outriggers, wheeled machines are as stable as similar tracked excavators - and in some cases, wheeled excavators actually have a wider footprint and are more stable than tracked excavators. In muddy or rough conditions, tracked machines are better suited for the job - but if you've never considered a wheeled machine for your type of work, check it out.
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