| General digging, trenching, loading, and material handling |
General-purpose bucket |
Soil, clay, sand, gravel, and moderately compacted fill |
Common bucket capacities range from approximately 0.05 to 3.0 m³, depending on excavator size and bucket design |
Match bucket capacity to the excavator's rated lift capacity, hydraulic power, and material density. Use teeth for penetrating soil and a smooth edge for clean grading |
Check swing clearance, trench width, dump height, and available space for trucks or stockpiles |
Oversized buckets can reduce cycle performance, increase tipping risk, and overload the attachment or front linkage |
| Fine grading, trimming, ditch shaping, and slope finishing |
Grading or tilt bucket |
Loose soil, sand, topsoil, and previously excavated material |
Typical widths are about 900–2,000 mm; hydraulic tilt models commonly provide approximately 30°–45° of tilt per side, depending on design |
Choose width according to the trench or slope profile. Confirm tilt-cylinder protection, pin diameter, and hydraulic flow requirements |
Allow room for the attachment to tilt without contacting walls, utilities, fences, or overhead obstacles |
Not intended for heavy breakout in rock or highly compacted ground; side loading can damage pins and linkage components |
| Breaking concrete, masonry, asphalt, and hard rock |
Hydraulic breaker |
Concrete, reinforced concrete, asphalt, blockwork, and fractured rock |
Tool diameters commonly range from about 40 to 180 mm; impact energy and required oil flow vary substantially by carrier size |
Match impact energy, operating pressure, oil flow, and backhead configuration to the excavator. Select a moil point for penetration or a chisel for controlled splitting |
Check noise limits, vibration-sensitive structures, dust control, underground utilities, and exclusion zones |
Continuous blank firing, excessive downward pressure, or incorrect hydraulic flow can cause premature tool and breaker damage |
| Drilling holes for posts, foundations, signs, or planting |
Hydraulic auger |
Soil, clay, sand, and light gravel; specialized teeth may handle harder formations |
Common auger diameters are approximately 150–900 mm; drilling depth depends on flight length, extensions, and ground stability |
Match bit diameter and tooth type to the soil. Verify torque, hydraulic flow, maximum drilling depth, and required vertical alignment |
Locate buried electrical, gas, water, and communication services before drilling. Maintain clearance from overhead lines |
Standard soil augers are unsuitable for large rocks or solid rock; bit seizure and sudden torque reaction are possible |
| Removing stumps, roots, frozen soil, and compacted layers |
Ripper tooth |
Hard-packed soil, frozen ground, weathered material, roots, and soft rock |
Usually configured with one or a small number of heavy-duty teeth; working depth depends on the carrier and tooth geometry |
Select a robust shank and replaceable tooth suited to the expected hardness. Ensure the excavator has sufficient breakout force |
Check underground services, trench stability, and the space needed for curling and lifting the attachment |
High breakout loads can stress the boom, stick, bucket cylinder, and attachment pins; it is not a substitute for a breaker in solid rock |
| Compacting trench backfill, embankments, and confined areas |
Hydraulic plate compactor |
Granular backfill, crushed aggregate, sand, and selected cohesive soils |
Typical plate widths are approximately 300–900 mm; operating mass often ranges from about 150 to 1,000 kg, depending on model |
Match centrifugal force, plate size, and hydraulic flow to the excavator. Use suitable lift capacity and avoid excessive oscillation |
Confirm trench width, sidewall stability, reach, lifting height, and safe distance from existing structures or utilities |
Compaction results depend on layer thickness, moisture, and soil type; excessive vibration may affect nearby structures |
| Sorting, loading, and placing logs, rocks, demolition debris, or irregular materials |
Hydraulic grapple |
Timber, scrap, rocks, brush, demolition debris, and other irregular loads |
Jaw openings commonly range from approximately 600 to 1,800 mm; lifting capacity must be reduced as reach increases |
Choose jaw shape, rotation capability, shell strength, and hydraulic circuit requirements according to the material and handling method |
Check load radius, tail swing, overhead clearance, ground bearing capacity, and the stability of the load during rotation |
Grapples are generally less efficient than buckets for loose soil; suspended loads can swing and create significant stability hazards |
| Cutting and processing scrap metal, structural steel, or reinforced concrete |
Hydraulic shear |
Steel plate, pipes, structural sections, vehicles, and selected reinforced-concrete components |
Cutting capacity varies widely; smaller units may process light sections, while larger units handle heavy structural members |
Evaluate jaw opening, cutting force, rotation, cycle time, material thickness, and excavator stability. Use a dedicated shear circuit when required |
Establish a controlled demolition zone, verify reach and visibility, and keep personnel away from falling or rotating material |
Do not exceed the manufacturer's material-size limits; side loading and twisting can damage the shear and excavator linkage |
| Removing brush, small trees, roots, and vegetation |
Brush cutter or mulcher |
Grass, brush, saplings, and light-to-moderate vegetation |
Cutting widths commonly range from approximately 900 to 1,800 mm; required hydraulic flow depends on rotor or blade configuration |
Match flow, pressure, carrier size, guarding, and attachment weight. Select a design suitable for the vegetation diameter and density |
Check flying-debris zones, public access, slope stability, overhead branches, utility lines, and local environmental restrictions |
Flying objects, dust, and fire risk require strict exclusion zones; unsuitable material can damage blades, rotor, or drive components |
| Handling pallets, pipes, beams, and packaged materials |
Hydraulic fork |
Stable, palletized, bundled, or long materials with a known center of gravity |
Fork lengths commonly range from approximately 900 to 1,800 mm; rated capacity decreases as the load center moves farther from the attachment |
Check rated capacity at the actual load radius, fork length, carriage width, locking method, and visibility from the cab |
Confirm travel route, ground bearing capacity, overhead clearance, load height, and pedestrian separation |
Never use forks for personnel lifting; uneven or unsecured loads can slide, rotate, or exceed the excavator's rated capacity |
| Cleaning ditches, waterways, and wet or low-bearing ground |
Ditch-cleaning bucket |
Soft soil, silt, mud, sand, and loose drainage materials |
Typical widths are approximately 1,200–2,500 mm; capacity must be selected carefully for wet material, which is significantly heavier than dry soil |
Consider bucket width, drainage holes, side profile, material density, and the excavator's lift capacity at maximum reach |
Check bank stability, water level, machine setback, access matting, and the possibility of the excavator sliding or sinking |
Wide buckets are inefficient for breakout and can create high side loads; wet material may exceed lifting limits even when the bucket is not full |
| Working in narrow alleys, buildings, backyards, or restricted access areas |
Compact or reduced-profile attachment |
Light excavation, utility work, landscaping, and indoor or urban applications |
Attachment width may be selected below approximately 600 mm for compact machines; exact dimensions depend on carrier and access route |
Measure the narrowest opening, turning radius, ceiling height, attachment width, and machine operating height before mobilization |
Account for doorways, ramps, floor loading, ventilation, noise limits, emergency access, and tail-swing clearance |
Restricted dimensions often reduce bucket capacity and productivity; indoor operation may require special exhaust, dust, and noise controls |
