Heavy Earthmoving in Toronto

Excavator FAQs

What is an excavator?

An excavator is a heavy-duty earthmoving machine used for digging, lifting, grading, demolition, and material handling. It has a boom, stick, bucket, and cab mounted on tracks or wheels, offering 360° rotation.

What is an excavator used for?

Construction: Digging foundations, trenches, basements.
Demolition: Breaking down buildings.
Mining & Quarrying: Removing rock and overburden.
Forestry: Land clearing and tree removal.
Utility work: Installing pipes and underground infrastructure.

What is another name for an excavator?

Excavators are also called diggers, trackhoes, or hydraulic shovels.

What’s the difference between a backhoe and an excavator?

Backhoe: Smaller, with a digging bucket at the rear and loader bucket at the front.

Excavator: Larger, 360° rotating cab, deeper digging reach.

👉 Backhoe = versatile small jobs; Excavator = heavy-duty large projects.

What are the two main types of excavators?

Crawler Excavators: Best for rough, uneven terrain.

Wheeled Excavators: Faster, ideal for paved/urban job sites.

Is an excavator manual or automatic?

Most modern excavators are hydraulic with joystick controls. Many feature semi-automatic systems like grade assist.

What tools go with an excavator?

Attachments include:
• Buckets (digging, trenching, grading)
• Hydraulic breakers
• Augers
• Grapples
• Compactors

What is the average cost of an excavator?

Mini: $30,000–$60,000
Mid-size: $80,000–$200,000
Large: $200,000–$500,000+

How much is a new CAT 320 excavator?

About $250,000–$300,000, depending on configuration.

What is the price of an excavator in 2025?

Ranges from $35,000 (compact) to $1 million+ (mining class).

How much is a new JCB excavator?

Typically $100,000–$250,000, depending on model and attachments.

What is the average lifespan of an excavator?

About 7,000–10,000 hours, or 10–12 years with proper maintenance.

Which is the most expensive excavator?

The Caterpillar 6090 FS Mining Excavator, costing $10–15 million.

Is a JCB an excavator?

Yes. JCB makes compact diggers, mid-size excavators, and large models for construction.

What type of equipment is JCB?

JCB produces construction, agriculture, and industrial machinery, including excavators, backhoes, and loaders.

What is JCB’s backhoe?

The JCB Backhoe Loader combines a front loader with a rear backhoe, a signature JCB machine.

What does JCB stand for?

Joseph Cyril Bamford, the company’s founder.

What is an excavator vs backhoe?

Excavator: Larger, 360° cab rotation, deep digging.

Backhoe: Smaller, dual-purpose (digging + loading), suited for farms and small construction.

What are the different types of excavators?

Crawler, Wheeled, Mini, Long Reach, Dragline, Suction Excavator, Hydraulic Shovel.

What is the most common excavator model?

Mid-size 20–25 ton crawler excavators are the most widely used globally.

What are the three main types of excavators?

Mini/Compact: under 6 tons.
Standard: 6–45 tons.
Large: 45+ tons.

What size excavators are most commonly used?

20–25 ton models are most popular for general construction.

What are JCB’s machines called?

JCB Excavators, Backhoe Loaders, Telehandlers, and Skid Steers.

What is a digger vs excavator?

They’re the same. “Digger” is the casual name; “Excavator” is the technical term.

Refund Policy

Nam Rentals accepts cancellations with at least 24 hours’ notice, although cancellation fees may apply.
Equipment rented from Nam Rentals can be returned at any time; however, early returns do not qualify for partial refunds,
and rental charges will apply for the full rental period.
Weather-related cancellations may be rescheduled but are not generally refunded.
For refund or cancellation requests, customers should contact Nam Rentals directly,
and no further rental charges will be applied once the equipment is off-rented.

Nearby Locations

Top Cities for Heavy Earthmoving Rentals near Toronto, ON