Leveling an excavator

[RayCo]

Last night I was digging on a hillside with my backhoe, but used the stabilizers to level out the tractor so that I could try to create a level bottom hole. As I was digging, I found myself wondering if such a thing is possible with excavators. Since they don't have stabilizers, are you stuck at the angle of the ground that you're on? Or, is there a little bit of swaying between the platform and the body in some models to help compensate for slight slopes?

Just curious.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

Last night I was digging on a hillside with my backhoe, but used the stabilizers to level out the tractor so that I could try to create a level bottom hole. As I was digging, I found myself wondering if such a thing is possible with excavators. Since they don't have stabilizers, are you stuck at the angle of the ground that you're on? Or, is there a little bit of swaying between the platform and the body in some models to help compensate for slight slopes?

Just curious.

you turn the ex up or down hill then level off with blade if it's a mini up to 10 tons or a blade runner. Not sure on the bigger ones. I've seen them tip.

 

[MarkV]

And yes, some of them have a cab that tilts to compensate for a non level working base.

MarkV

 

[RayCo]

So the backfill blade is designed to be rigid enough for this as opposed to just pushing dirt, typically? Good to know, thank you.

 

[Bentwrench]

You can also start digging in line and put your take-out in line with your low side track and then drive on it to get level.

 

[PILOON]

Also swing the bucket from side to side to 'sweep' a level work area.

 

[Dargo]

Also swing the bucket from side to side to 'sweep' a level work area.

Actually, that's not a very good practice unless you like working on them and enjoy buying slew rings and slew motors. They're not exactly easy to get to or cheap.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

So the backfill blade is designed to be rigid enough for this as opposed to just pushing dirt, typically? Good to know, thank you.

I have the 4 way blade. It's heavy duty on my Bobcat 335. After using it, I would have liked a 6 way like Kubota has but the 4 way does a very good job and it's stout.