The excavator is a heavy-duty machinery which is used for a variety of construction tasks. It is one of the most commonly used construction machines, available in different sizes and forms. Usually, two excavator models can be found on the market: wheeled and tracked excavators. Although used for the same purpose, and that’s digging into the ground, these two models have their advantages and disadvantages. The following text will highlight which excavator is better: tracked or wheeled?

Productivity. When we talk about heavy digging, nothing can beat the tracked excavator. The wheeled excavator cannot dig as aggressively and powerful like the tracked excavator. The excavators which are placed on tracks have the power to improve the productivity on the construction site.

Safety And Stability. Safety is essential for achieving efficient results on the construction site. Because the tracked excavator comes with a set of tracks instead of tires, the total weigh of the machine is equally deployed on the tracks. As a result, all tracked machines, not just the excavators, are more stable when used for heavy-duty tasks. Furthermore, because the tracked excavator is more stable than the wheeled excavator, this means that it is safe for operation on uneven and difficult terrains.

Versatility. The tracked excavator is generally designed for digging applications. When equipped with a hammer or a crusher, it can also be used for quarry and demolition works. The wheeled excavator is capable to do the same tasks, but it can also work on hard surfaces where the tracked excavator cannot perform. This capability makes the wheeled excavator to be more versatile machine than its tracked cousin. As a highly versatile machine, the wheeled excavator is heavily used for works in urban environments, parking lots, and other narrow spaces. When equipped with different attachments, the wheeled excavators are used not only for digging and demolition, but also for moving concrete barriers, cutting asphalt pieces, clean ditches, etc.

Maneuverability. Another great benefit of the wheeled excavator is that this model can easily move from one location to another. On the other hand, the tracked excavator needs to be transported by a special heavy-duty vehicle. In addition, the wheeled excavator moves around the job site with speed of around 35km/h, while the tracked excavator moves with speed of 6-10km/h.

Costs. It all comes down to the cost and price. The undercarriage and the tracks of the tracked excavator are quite expensive parts. Changing or replacing them can be a time consuming and expensive task. On the other hand, the wheels of the wheeled excavators can be easily replaced, they are less expensive, and last longer. Therefore, the wheeled excavator has lower operation costs.