Excavators are the most versatile type of heavy equipment and one of the most commonly used. They are frequently used on construction sites with their versatile roles, including digging trenches, demolishing buildings, shifting materials and grading land. The excavator is by far the most popular type of construction machinery in the world, accounting for 53% of all global equipment sales, and it’s not just for job sites. If you have DIY work to do in your backyard, excavators, also known as diggers, have a variety of uses: breaking down walls in your backyard, removing pavement and clearing away tree stumps, among others.
But sometimes, to get the job done, you need an attachment for your excavator. The right auger driver or bucket makes your DIY projects run a lot smoother. Dry hiring means hiring an attachment for your excavator for as long as you need without having to buy it outright or pay a professional to operate it.
Whether you need an excavator auger attachment or any other accessory, here’s the Ryno Hire ultimate guide to digger attachments.
Connecting Excavator Attachments
To connect an attachment to an excavator, you first have to ensure it’s compatible with the excavator’s hydraulic and hitch systems, as there are many different types. Then the process involves mounting and securing the attachment to the arm of the excavator.
The most common method for an excavator’s auger attachment, for example, is to lay it down in the correct position with the hoses facing up and out of the way, then line up the hitch connection so it’s facing upwards. Slowly connect the excavator hitch to the auger’s fixed pin by lining it up and crowding/curling in the hitch inwards until it drops into place, then lift the auger off the ground with the excavator, line up the other hitch pin position, push the pin through and secure it in place with a locking clip.
There’s certainly an art to excavator mounting options, but the Ryno Hire team are ready and well-equipped to help you through the process.
Here are some of the most common types of attachments for excavators you’re likely to use:
Hydraulic Auger Drivers and Drills
How it works
A hydraulic auger driver/drill consists of a hydraulic motor powered by a hydraulic pump. The motor powers a rotating drill bit that can be configured in various ways for drilling holes in materials like rock, soil or asphalt. Not only does an auger attachment drill and dig into the ground, but it also acts as a screw conveyer by transporting the materials dug through back up to the surface.
What it’s used for
It’s used for drilling holes for plants, fence posts, and more.
Recommended excavator size
Ryno Hire’s hydraulic auger drivers and drills suit 1.0 to 8.0-tonne excavators and Bobcat 1.2 to 4.0-tonne excavators, as well as all Kanga loaders.
Hydraulic Rock Breakers
How it works
Hydraulic rock breakers are powered by systems that deliver heavy amounts of fluid to the piston. The piston strikes the chisel, which makes contact with the rock you want to break.
What it’s used for
Hydraulic rock breakers demolish rocks, stones, concrete, asphalt etc., into manageable pieces that are easy to move.
Recommended excavator size
Hydraulic rock breakers are available to suit excavators from 1.0 to 8.0 tonnes.
Hydraulic Rock Grabs
How it works
A hydraulic rock grab has a power supply that drives it to open and close. This claw-like attachment for excavators is driven by its motor’s positive and negative rotation, with the reversing valve causing it to open and close.
What it’s used for
A hydraulic grab is used for picking up materials, including rocks, blocks, concrete, rubble and tree branches.
Recommended excavator size
Hydraulic rock grabs suit excavators from 1.7 to 8.0 tonnes.
Levelling/Spreader Bars
How it works
Whether you call them levelling bars, spreader bars or smudge bars, these devices consist of a series of welded bars in a grid-style pattern designed to be attached to a skid steer loader.
What it’s used for
Spreader bars are designed to level out the ground. They even the surface by letting the skid steer move excess material across the ground, removing high spots and filling in areas that are low.
Recommended excavator size
Available in sizes that range from 1,100mm to 1500mm wide, levelling and spreader bars suit posi-track and skid steer loaders of all kinds.
Concrete Sleeper Grab
How it works
Sleeper grabs work with gravity. As you lift the grab tightens around the object. You position this lifting tool so that it straddles the concrete sleeper with its arms on either side. Lower the grab until it makes contact with the sleeper’s sides, and ensure the grab is securely positioned before lifting.
What it’s used for
Concrete sleeper grabs are commonly used for not only moving concrete sleepers but for other materials like timber too.
Recommended excavator size
Any machine available at Ryno Hire, including all excavators and loaders, can support these accessories.
Hydraulic Chain Trenchers
How it works
Resembling a giant chainsaw, a hydraulic chain trencher works by cutting into the ground with a digging chain, or belt, driven around a rounded metal frame, or boom. To operate a chain trencher, set the speed and boom height, start the engine, and turn on the trencher chain. Be sure to drive it in the correct direction.
What it’s used for
Hydraulic chain trenchers to cut narrow and deep trenches. They are typically used for cutting into the ground so you can lay electrical cables or piping.
Recommended excavator size
These attachments are available in 100mm width and suit Bobcat 1.2 tonne and Kanga 1.0 tonne loaders.
Hydraulic Tilt Buckets
How it works
A hydraulic tilt bucket is a bucket with the useful feature of being able to tilt 45 degrees left and right. Heavy-duty cylinders give this accessory its manoeuvrability.
What it’s used for
A tilt bucket’s compact design makes it perfect for all kinds of jobs, from land clearing to backfilling and grading.
Recommended excavator size
Hydraulic tilt buckets suit excavators from 1.7 to 5.0 tonnes.
Sieve Buckets
How it works
To use a sieve bucket, ensure it’s firmly attached to the excavator, use it as you would any other bucket, scoop the ground and use the excavator’s controls to raise the attachment and engage the sieving operation.
What it’s used for
Sieve buckets are handy for tasks like quickly removing rubble and rocks from ponds and separating debris from sand and soil.
Recommended excavator size
These buckets suit Kubota 1.7-tonne excavators.
Hire Specialised Excavator Attachments at Ryno Hire
You can dry hire all kinds of specialised attachments for excavators from Ryno Hire, as well as excavators perfect for jobs both large and small.
At Ryno Hire, we specialise in providing construction equipment, including digger attachments for dry hire. Whether you need a machine for a day or a year, most of our hire equipment can be hired with just a valid open Queensland driver’s licence and no need to pay an operator. A family-owned business with more than a decade in the earthmoving industry, we can offer you expert advice on all things DIY and the kind of equipment you’re likely to need.
For more information or help finding the right attachment for an excavator, make an enquiry with Ryno Hire.
24 January 2024
