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5 Common Types of Excavator Attachments and Their Uses

5 December 2018

Veronica Leon

Planning to hire an excavator for a particular job? Choosing the right attachments is vital if you want to improve the functionality of your machine. Excavator attachments typically cost extra, so you had better pick attachments that add value to your project. 

Here's an outline of some common types of earthmoving equipment hire attachments and when to use them.

1. Buckets 

Buckets are one of the most popular and widely used excavator attachments. Almost every excavator comes with a bucket as standard when it is being rented out. So, what's the correct size bucket for a particular excavator? The size of excavator buckets is typically limited to the size of the machine itself. 

The larger the size of the earthmoving equipment, the larger the size of the bucket attached to it, and the heavier the material the bucket can hold and move. Equipment rental companies often avoid using a larger size bucket with a smaller size excavator to reduce the risk of equipment tip over when in use.

2. Augers 

Does your earthmoving project involve digging through various ground conditions, such as clay, rock and frost? If so, an excavator auger can really come in handy. Augers come in different lengths and diameters, so you can drill holes of virtually any length and diameter. 

3. Hydraulic hammers

It's not uncommon to encounter large rocks during earthmoving jobs, and hydraulic hammers can really come in handy. These powerful earthmoving equipment attachments are designed for breaking large rocks. They can easily break the rocks into smaller pieces to allow for easier removal from the worksite.

4. Grapples

These are another common type of excavator attachments found in various construction sites. They feature a powerful hydraulic arm with fingers ideal for grasping and moving large, irregularly shaped objects at the worksite. Grapples can also be used to sort through demolition waste and debris. 

5. Hooks

These earthmoving equipment attachments are valuable when there is a need to use excavators as cranes – lifting equipment. They are typically attached to the bucket of the excavator but can be attached to the load as well.

There's a large selection of attachments that can be rented together with excavators. The above-highlighted ones are just part of the long list. The best way to ensure you select the best attachments for your job is to establish your project requirements and consult the professional representatives at your preferred equipment rental company about how to best meet those requirements.

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