An excavator can be a valuable tool for many kinds of jobs. If you need to dig in an area where there’s no road or building foundation to use, an amphibious excavator can be used to dig through mud and water. They come with features ideal for this kind of work, including high ground clearance, hinged pads, and other features that allow them to traverse rugged terrain while carrying heavy loads.
An amphibious undercarriage has a compact design that can be used on various terrain types, including mud and clay. It also has a unique hydraulic and low-pressure system to stabilize the machine while moving through water. Apart from this, it has a decentralized load distribution, thanks to its hydrostatic drive system.
To convince you to invest in an amphibious undercarriage or help you maximize your machine’s potential, consider its salient features:
Offers Improved Buoyancy
The amphibious excavator undercarriage is designed to provide superior buoyancy and stability in the water. This means you can use it to work on the land or even underwater.
The undercarriage is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) molded into a single piece. It is lightweight, durable, and corrosion-resistant. It also has an anti-skid pattern that helps prevent it from slipping around when you’re working in wet conditions.
In addition to these features, the amphibious excavator undercarriage also comes with a spring-loaded retractable skirt. The skirt helps prevent dirt from clogging up between the tracks of your machine, which keeps them working efficiently for extended periods without needing maintenance or repairs.
High ground clearance
The higher ground clearance of an amphibious excavator undercarriage allows for better visibility, stability, and control. It also facilitates a more efficient operation that causes less damage to the ground.
The amphibious excavator undercarriage has an advanced suspension system that allows it to operate in rough or soft terrain. This undercarriage’s unique design improves traction and stability, especially on hard surfaces and deep snow.
Trackpads
The trackpads are the metal tracks that make up the undercarriage of an amphibious excavator. They are made of steel plates, welded together, and attached to the outside of the machine’s frame. The trackpads are connected in a spiral pattern to allow for forwarding motion. These pads also increase ground clearance. While they are locked in place when operating on land, they can be pivoted up to allow for greater clearance underwater.
Amphibious travel
The tracks are used in two different modes. They operate like a typical track system on land in the first mode. In this mode, the tracks support the vehicle’s weight and allow it to move forward. This is how you would use your excavator when working on dry land.
However, when operating in the water, your excavator’s tracks assume a second purpose: propulsion. Instead of supporting weight as they do on dry land, they act as wheels. Each track’s underside floats off the ground slightly so its center can glide across the top of the water with ease, like an ice skater.
With this center raised above water level and buoyed by air trapped within its walls—just like an amphibious vehicle’s hull—the excavator moves forward as it does on land.
Go with the flow
Amphibious excavators are a boon to the construction industry because they allow contractors to get around areas traditional vehicles can’t reach. They’re also good for getting to remote locations or places that don’t have roads. For example, you could use one if your project required accessing water, but there were no launch sites nearby.
An amphibious excavator is an ideal choice for these scenarios because it works well on land and in water. It doesn’t matter whether it’s raining—you can still use your vehicle without any issues.
In the right situation, an amphibious excavator can be a better choice than a conventional tracked excavator.
If you have a project or task that requires you to work on soft ground, an amphibious excavator may be a better choice than your conventional tracked model. The tread system of these machines is designed for traversing marshy terrain and other soft ground. And if access to your site isn’t easy, an amphibious excavator can travel over water or through boggy areas to get there.
Factors to consider when buying an amphibious undercarriage
When purchasing an amphibious excavator undercarriage, there are several factors to consider.
First, you must identify what type of equipment must be supported by the undercarriage. If you have a single machine with a broad range of applications, you may want to purchase a heavy-duty undercarriage. If you have multiple machines that will be used for different applications, then it is probably best to opt for an economy-style undercarriage.
Second, you should think about how often your machinery will be used in water. If your equipment undergoes frequent water and debris exposure, it would be wise to invest in a high-grade product made from corrosion-resistant materials like carbon steel or stainless steel. On the other hand, if your machines only go into the water occasionally or are not exposed to harsh conditions on land, purchasing a medium-grade product made from mild steel or aluminum alloy would be acceptable.
Finally, ensure that the undercarriage matches the specifications of your machine precisely so that it functions appropriately when submerged underwater and on land surfaces without any modifications required by either you or the manufacturer.
Here are other things you should take into consideration:
- The engine: The engine is one of the essential parts of this machine. It should be robust and powerful enough to move the machine through water and sand without any issues.
- The tires: Many different types are available today, so make sure you choose one with good traction on land and water.
- The speed: You’ll want a machine that can travel at high speeds over both land and water, so look for something that spans at least 30 mph in both environments.
Invest in the right tool
The right tool and equipment for the job are essential, and an amphibious excavator might be just what you need to get things done. Depending on your needs, there are many benefits to using an amphibious excavator in your business. One of the best benefits is saving on resources like time and money. With the right tool, you can do more.