Wheel or crawler excavator
The wheeled one moves on its own and wins on urban sites; the crawler wins on stability and soft ground.
Mobility
The wheel excavator moves on its own between sites; the TWE70 data sheet, for example, states up to 28 km/h. That saves transports on linear or spread-out jobs. The crawler is slow (2.4 to 4.4 km/h depending on the model) and usually needs a low-loader to change site.
Stability and terrain
Tracks spread the weight and grip better in mud, loose gravel or slopes (the data sheets state 25° to 35° of gradeability). The wheeled machine works best on firm ground or asphalt and is quicker over long hauls.
Wear and maintenance
The track undercarriage is the biggest wear cost on abrasive ground. Tyres on the wheel machine wear with road use but are easy to replace.
When to choose each
- Urban works, spread-out pipelines, work on firm ground: wheels.
- Foundations, soft ground, slopes or quarries: crawlers.
- Under 4 t and narrow access: a crawler mini excavator.