A digger works primarily using a powerful hydraulic system that powers its movements for digging, lifting, and maneuvering.
Digger machines, also known as excavators, are essential in construction, demolition, and excavation tasks. Their operation relies heavily on the principles of hydraulics, using pressurized fluid to generate the force needed for various actions.
The core components allowing a digger to function include:
- The Base/Chassis: Provides stability and houses the tracks or wheels.
- The Cab: Where the operator controls the machine.
- The Turret/Upper Structure: This is the main body containing the engine and hydraulic pumps, mounted on the chassis.
- The Boom, Arm, and Bucket: These are the articulating parts used for digging and material handling.
The Power of Hydraulics
The digger's movements are powered by a network of hydraulic cylinders and motors. A hydraulic pump, driven by the engine, pushes high-pressure oil through hoses and valves to these components. By controlling the flow and pressure of this oil, the operator can extend or retract hydraulic cylinders, which in turn move the digger's arm and bucket, or activate hydraulic motors for rotation and track movement.
Movement and Slew
Movement across the ground is typically achieved by hydraulic motors powering the tracks. What's unique about a digger's upper structure (the turret) is its ability to rotate independently of the base. This rotational movement is called slewing.
According to the provided reference, high-pressure oil is supplied to the tracks' hydraulic motors through a hydraulic swivel at the axis of the pin. This innovative swivel design, located at the central pivot point (the axis of the pin), allows the hydraulic lines supplying the track motors to pass through while the upper structure rotates. This setup enables the machine to slew 360° unhindered, providing the crucial left-and-right movement capability without twisting hoses.
Arm and Digging Action
The digging part of the machine – consisting of the boom, arm, and bucket – is also entirely hydraulically operated.
- The boom is attached to the turret.
- The arm (or dipper) is attached to the end of the boom.
- The bucket is attached to the end of the arm.
Each joint and section of the arm assembly is controlled by hydraulic cylinders. The reference states: "The arm provides the up-and-down and closer-and-further (or digging movement) movements." This means the extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinders connected to the arm are responsible for lifting and lowering the arm, and for pulling the bucket closer or pushing it away, executing the actual digging motion.
In summary, a digger uses a high-pressure hydraulic system to power its locomotion via track motors (fed oil through a central swivel allowing 360° rotation) and to control the versatile movements of its arm and bucket for effective digging and material handling.
