“Depending on the excavator model, we offer attachments that range from general purpose and grading buckets to rock wheels, augers, hammers and thumbs,” says Lisa Berryman, attachments product manager for JCB North America in Savannah, Ga. “While buckets are obviously the most popular attachments, we’ve also seen strong demand for augers and hammers.”
JCB first entered the compact excavator market back in the days of big hair and heavy metal — circa 1987. In the more than 25 years since then, the company has expanded its compact excavator product line to 10 models ranging in size from .8 tons to 8 tons. Improvements during that time include dual pattern controls (ISO/SAE), variable displacement pumps, reduced and zero tail swing and improved pressures and flows for better breakout forces and digging performance — along with those attachments that make these machines far more versatile.
While it’s certainly important to offer a wide range of compact excavator attachment options, it’s also imperative for manufacturers to make it fast and easy to switch out those attachments on the jobsite. Many manufacturers offer a standard quick-hitch, universal attachment system. The quick-hitch system accommodates all dipper-mounted attachments; however, the pick-up points and pins needed are different for each of the various compact excavator models. Because the quick-hitch is mechanical, the operator must exit the cab to change the attachment. Auxiliary hydraulics and pipe work make it possible to run application-specific attachments. Proportion auxiliary controls allow for precise bucket and attachment operation and control.
“Having a compact excavator with an easy-to-use attachment system is key to increasing productivity on the jobsite,” says Lee Rahn compact line technical services expert for JCB North America. “Typically, these machines are used for more than one task on the site, so if it’s fast and easy to switch out the attachment, operators will be able to get more done in less time.”
What does the future hold for compact excavator attachment systems? JCB executives believe that because the compact excavator market has great advancement potential, more manufacturers will be developing attachments and attachment systems that are easier to use, faster to use and allow the machines to be used in an even wider variety of applications.
“I believe that necessity is the mother of all invention, and users will demand features on the mini excavator that are currently available on larger excavators,” says Rahn. “For instance, on larger excavators, there is an AMS [Advanced Management System] that allow operators to pre-program flow levels and needs of different attachments. This system makes the change process a push-button operation, allowing for a very easy switch between single-acting and double-acting flow attachments. In addition, I think we’ll see a migration from manual to hydraulic attachment systems. As these attachment systems continue to improve, ease of operation and functional versatility will prove themselves essential in several markets — particularly the rental market.”
Lynette Von Minden is a public relations writer with Swanson Russell, based in Lincoln, Neb.
The Mini Ex has evolved into a great long reach tool carrier
By tackling jobs from landscaping to construction to pipeline work, compact excavators have established themselves as invaluable machines for smaller-scale digging tasks. But their usefulness doesn’t stop there. Like many smaller machines, compact excavators can be outfitted with a variety of attachments that enhance their flexibility and productivity.