Extension of Excavator Arms – Methods and Applications

I’ve always wanted to write an article about the various methods of extending excavator arms and their applications in different work environments. Due to a lack of time, I couldn’t fulfill that wish until now. Finally, I have the opportunity to organize my thoughts, gather information, and present them in written form.

This article serves as a small guide and an expression of gratitude to the clients and friends who have supported me over the years. I apologize for any shortcomings in the past and extend my heartfelt thanks and greetings to you all. This article is dedicated to you!

When it comes to extended excavator arms, many in the machinery industry are familiar with their applications, such as extended arms for welding equipment, welding machines, machine tools, and heavy equipment.

In this article, I will focus on the application of extended arms in construction machinery, including cement pumps, loader arms, forklift arms, piling arms, crane arms, demolition arms, loading and unloading arms, log grappling arms, material grappling arms, and excavator arms.

Many of these applications are based on modifications to the original excavator body and involve installing various attachments to achieve specialized functions.

I often joke with clients and friends: “With an excavator arm in hand, I can conquer the world!”

Excavator Modifications:

Power: Internal combustion engine, electric
Drive: Hydraulic, electric
Cabin: Lifting, tilting

Categories of Excavator Arm Modifications:

Extended Excavator Arm: Extension of either the main or dipper arm (requires an additional hydraulic cylinder).
Double Extended Arm: Simultaneous extension of both the main and dipper arms.
Three-Layer or Multi-Layer Arms: Various configurations for specific applications.
Sliding Arm or Inner Telescopic Arm: Designed for specialized conditions.
Articulated Arm or Shortened Arm: Adaptations for different tasks.
Straight Extended Arm: For piling or material handling.
Curved Extended Arm: For material handling or loading.

Applications of Extended Arms and Attachments:

Two-Piece Extended Arm: Widely used to increase digging radius, including river cleaning, land reclamation, subway entrance excavation, pedestrian tunnel construction, and highway retaining wall repairs. It is also used for delivering cement in residential areas and can be equipped with demolition hammers, though this is relatively risky. Typical modifications range from 10 to 26 meters.
Main Arm Extension: Primarily increases the horizontal or high digging radius.
Dipper Arm Extension: Increases vertical digging depth. Extending the main arm usually requires an additional hydraulic cylinder.
Articulated and Shortened Arms: Used in narrow tunnels and confined spaces. Shortened arms enhance digging capacity and can be paired with soil-loosening devices for sandy or rocky areas. Standard buckets can be replaced with larger capacity buckets.
Sliding Arm or Inner Telescopic Arm: Designed for applications requiring a small turning radius but great digging depth. Sliding arms typically achieve vertical digging depths of up to 10 meters, while inner telescopic arms can reach up to 26 meters.
Extended Arm for Piles: Features a straight main and dipper arm with a curved extension of approximately 2.6 meters. This configuration is used with vibration hammers for installing and removing steel piles in road, railway, or pipeline construction.
Three-Layer or Multi-Layer Extended Arm: Mainly used for building demolition with attachments such as hammers or hydraulic shears. Commonly used with a range of 20 to 28 meters.
Extensions for Log Grapples and Material Handling: Designed for loading and unloading trains or trucks, with a typical main arm length of 7.6 meters and dipper arm length of 5 to 6 meters. Equipped with log grapples, clamshell buckets, or material buckets.

Note: When modifying excavator arms, it is crucial to consider factors such as power, hydraulics, and counterweight balance to ensure optimal performance and safety.

Extension of Excavator Arms – Methods and Applications

Excavator Modifications:

Categories of Excavator Arm Modifications:

Applications of Extended Arms and Attachments:

Xingjun Construction LLC Belgrade​

Xingjun Construction LLC Belgrade