Why the curved/bent boom on the mini ex?

[Henro]

I posted this question over at OTT but received no response yet...

As compared to my tractor backhoe, which has straight boom and stick pieces, the mini ex has a bent boom and straight stick. Actually excavators of all sizes seem to share this trait.

This difference must add something, but I do not see what it is...

Is there some significance to this difference? Easier to load a truck maybe?

Appreciate any insight!

 

[Rebeldad1]

Well lets jump in here....
I am not a engineer but here is some hayseed logic.

2 things come to mind.
1. to give the boom maximum reach out without extra height.
2. a straight boom will not give maximum digging depth without hitting the ground. the curve allows extra ground clearance
to lower the dipper's reach. Make sense?
https://www.ritchiespecs.com/model/new-holland-e26c-mini-excavator
Here is a better pic explaining this.
Also gives a lot more strength to the boom as well.

HTH

 

[Henro]

Those are some really good points!

The way the boom might interfere with the dozer blade regarding digging depth makes sense.

Not sure if you get more reach though with the boom bent, but maybe...

Thanks for the input. Helps me understand for sure!

 

[bcp]

Digging deep with a bent boom allows you to stay farther from the edge.

Bruce

 

[4570Man]

I don’t know how much the bent boom plays into the equation but the boom on my KX040 is a lot better designed boom than my M59 is. The M59 and pretty much all other backhoes have no bucket height at all without pushing the stick up. The bucket is maybe 2’ off the ground where the 40 bucket is 5’ off the ground in the same position. The straight boom also has almost no ability to reach over an obstacle like a fence or wall. The 40 can reach across a regular height fence with almost unhindered movement. The M59 is very limited working over a wall. Example of when I would use this function would be putting gravel inside a porch wall for backfill. The loader bucket can’t reach past half way in a 6’ porch which leaves a lot of hand work to get it there. The excavator can easily reach over without hitting the wall.

 

[Peter 315]

I don’t know how much the bent boom plays into the equation but the boom on my KX040 is a lot better designed boom than my M59 is. The M59 and pretty much all other backhoes have no bucket height at all without pushing the stick up. The bucket is maybe 2’ off the ground where the 40 bucket is 5’ off the ground in the same position. The straight boom also has almost no ability to reach over an obstacle like a fence or wall. The 40 can reach across a regular height fence with almost unhindered movement. The M59 is very limited working over a wall. Example of when I would use this function would be putting gravel inside a porch wall for backfill. The loader bucket can’t reach past half way in a 6’ porch which leaves a lot of hand work to get it there. The excavator can easily reach over without hitting the wall.

The bottom of the two booms are at a very different height to start with..

 

[4570Man]

The bottom of the two booms are at a very different height to start with..

Maybe a foot higher and the backhoe can make that up with stabilizers. If the M59 was sitting at full height and the 40 was flat tracked it still wouldn’t even be close to the same.

 

[Hay Dude]

I had a curved boom Hoe and I thought it made it easier to keep from knocking footing dirt or foundation dirt back in the ditches and the few other reasons mentioned

 

[RickB]

Curved booms help with weight distribution when the attachment is in transport position. The boom is able to be tucked in closer to the cab than straight boom machines. Cat and NH TLB's have curved booms.

 

[EddieWalker]

Seems that I read somewhere that it allows the height of the boom to be lower when transporting from job to job.