Tracked or wheeled excavators: how to choose?

🏗️ How to choose between a tracked and a wheeled excavator?

When it comes to choosing a mini-excavator or excavator, one of the first criteria to consider is the type of undercarriage: tracks or tires.
Each model has its strengths and limitations, depending on the nature of the terrain, the frequency of travel and the type of work performed.

🚜 Tracked excavator: stability and power

Tracked excavators stand out for their stability and ability to work on loose, unstable or uneven ground. Thanks to balanced weight distribution, they limit ground pressure and offer excellent grip, even in difficult conditions.

✅ Advantages :

• Excellent grip on uneven or muddy ground

• Ideal for outdoor sites or difficult terrain

• Reducedimpact on sensitive surfaces such as lawns or soft ground

⚠️ Disadvantages :

• Less maneuverable on the road

• Limited travel speed

• Rapid track wear on hard surfaces

So, if your site is on soft or sloping ground, the crawler excavator remains the best choice for stability and traction.

🚧 Wheel excavator: mobility and speed

On the other hand, wheeled excavators excel when you need to move frequently or work in urban environments.
Their design allows optimum mobility without damaging asphalt roads. What’s more, they offer a smooth, fast ride between different sites.

✅ Advantages :

• Fast, fluid movement between job sites

• Lesswear on hard surfaces

• Easy to transport without the need for a specialized trailer

⚠️ Disadvantages :

• Less stable on soft ground

• Reduced grip on uneven ground

• Often require stabilizers for certain maneuvers

All in all, the wheeled excavator is ideally suited to urban work and short-term operations, where speed is more important than raw power.

⚖️ Conclusion: which shovel to choose?

Finally, the choice between a tracked and a wheeled excavator depends directly on your working conditions.

• For soft or uneven ground, the tracked excavator is the ideal choice, thanks to its stability and strength.

• For urban environments or construction sites requiring a lot of travel, the pneumatic-tired excavator remains the most efficient.

By carefully assessing your needs, you can make an informed choice that will optimize your performance and reduce your operating costs.