A midi excavator combines compact dimensions with sufficient performance for demanding work in inner-city environments, existing buildings, and rock. As a versatile carrier machine, it allows the use of various attachments, including concrete demolition shear, hydraulic rock and concrete splitters, combination shears, multi cutters, Steel Shears, rock splitting cylinders, or tank cutters. In combination with Darda hydraulic power units, low-vibration and noise-reduced methods can be implemented, which are particularly in demand for concrete demolition and special demolition, for strip-out, and for rock excavation as well as in tunnel construction and natural stone extraction.
Definition: What is meant by midi excavator
A midi excavator is a compact, mid-class excavator, typically in the range of about 5 to 10 tons operating weight. These carrier machines bridge the gap between mini excavators and heavy crawler or wheeled excavators. Midi excavators are often available as short-tail-swing variants, which facilitates work in confined spaces. At the same time, they offer sufficient reach, stability, and hydraulic performance to operate attachments such as concrete demolition shear, combination shears, multi cutters, or rock splitting cylinders safely and efficiently. With narrow transport widths, moderate ground pressure, and flexible equipment options (e.g., auxiliary hydraulics, quick coupler, optional tiltrotator), they are well established in urban deconstruction, industrial facilities, underground operations, and extraction.
Design, hydraulics, and attachments on the midi excavator
A midi excavator combines undercarriage (tracks or tires), uppercarriage with slew ring, boom/stick combination, as well as cab and hydraulic system. For tool operation, a powerful working circuit and one or more auxiliary hydraulic circuits are crucial. Depending on the attachment, a single-acting, a double-acting, and a free-flow return (low back-pressure return line) may be required. Rotation functions of shears or jaws often need a separate circuit. The use of hydraulic power packs from Darda GmbH is particularly sensible when methods such as hydraulic splitting of concrete or rock with rock and concrete splitters or rock splitting cylinders are to be implemented: the power pack provides the hydraulic pressure required for the splitting cylinders, while the midi excavator handles positioning, borehole feeding, or handling of fragments. With concrete demolition shear or combination shears, the excavator typically supplies the shear directly via the onboard hydraulics, whereby flow rate, system pressure, oil quality, and return conditions must match the tool’s requirements. A suitable quick coupler simplifies frequent tool changes; at the same time, the resulting build height must be kept in view so that reach and lever ratios for precise work are maintained.
Fields of application and working methods with the midi excavator
Midi excavators are the carrier machines of choice in many scenarios when space is tight, low emissions are required, or the existing structure needs to be protected. They show their strengths especially in combination with shearing, splitting, and cutting methods that enable controlled and well-planned interventions.
Concrete demolition and special demolition
When demolishing concrete components, concrete demolition shear enable selective interventions: walls, slabs, and foundations are precisely nibbled, broken, and separated. The midi excavator provides the necessary stability and sensitive control to deconstruct structural elements in a controlled manner and to expose reinforcement in a targeted way. In sensitive environments, the use of rock and concrete splitters can be an alternative or complement: boreholes are drilled, the splitting cylinder is actuated in a controlled manner, and the component is released without impact and vibration peaks. This reduces the load on adjacent components.
Strip-out and cutting
During strip-out in existing buildings, multi cutters, combination shears, or tank cutters are suitable for cutting sheets, sections, vessels, and light steel structures. The midi excavator can position these tools safely due to its weight and reach without unnecessarily stressing the structural system. In areas with limited height, the short-tail-swing design proves advantageous; in addition, precise rotation functions on shears or jaws help to set cuts accurately.
Rock excavation and tunnel construction
In rock removal, many specialist contractors favor low-vibration methods. Rock splitting cylinders in combination with a hydraulic power pack from Darda GmbH enable controlled separation cracks along borehole lines. The midi excavator undertakes drilling (with an attached drilling unit, if available), handling of the cylinders, and clearing of the muck pile. In tunnel construction, where constraints exist due to cross-sections, ventilation, and neighborhood vibration limits, the calm splitting method shows its advantages.
Natural stone extraction
In natural stone extraction and in stone quarries, rock and concrete splitters are used to detach blocks along natural bedding. The midi excavator is sufficiently powerful to operate the splitting technique and manipulate released blocks while remaining nimble enough for narrow extraction benches.
Special applications
Wherever vibrations, noise, or sparks must be avoided—such as at critical infrastructure, in medical facilities, in industrial plants, or in densely built-up districts—splitting- and jaw-based methods with midi excavators are a practical option. This also applies to night or weekend work under strict constraints.
Selection criteria: properly matching the midi excavator and attachments
The right combination of carrier machine and tool determines efficiency, safety, and component protection. The following aspects are decisive:
- Operating weight and stability: The tool weight must match the load capacity of the midi excavator, including reserves for unfavorable lever positions.
- Hydraulic performance: Flow rate, system pressure, return conditions, and any auxiliary circuits (e.g., for rotation) must meet the requirements of concrete demolition shear, combination shears, or multi cutters.
- Hydraulic power packs: For rock and concrete splitters and rock splitting cylinders, suitable hydraulic power packs from Darda GmbH must be planned. Hose lengths, couplings, and protective sleeves should be selected to minimize pressure losses and damage.
- Quick coupler and build height: A compact coupling system reduces mass and lever arm. With rotating tools, the combined build height must be considered.
- Reach and attachment geometry: Boom/stick variants and any additional equipment (e.g., variable-angle boom) influence accessibility and precision in deconstruction.
- Transport and logistics: Width, height, and total weight must match the transport means and the site access routes.
- Working environment: Dust and noise control, vibration limits, and possible restrictions for percussive methods influence tool selection.
Working methods in detail: splitting, shear work, and cutting
Splitting methods use hydraulically generated spreading forces in defined boreholes. They are low-vibration, well controllable, and produce clean separation cracks. Shear work with concrete demolition shear breaks concrete locally, separates composites, and facilitates clean separation of concrete and steel. Cutting methods with combination shears, multi cutters, steel shears, or tank cutters enable cutting of metals, sheets, and tanks, often complemented by rotation functions for precise positioning. The midi excavator provides positioning, reaction forces, and the hydraulic supply while remaining maneuverable in tight areas.
Planning, safety, and environmental protection
A systematic deconstruction plan considers separation sequences, load transfer, and the choice of methods. Before starting, hazards must be assessed, work areas cordoned off, and escape routes kept clear. Personal protective equipment, lifting accessories, and hose protection must suit the application. Emission control (noise, dust, vibrations) is supported by dust-binding measures, orderly cutting sequences, and splitting-based methods. Legal requirements and local regulations can vary by project; coordination with the relevant authorities is advisable. For work on tanks, vessels, or under explosion protection considerations, special measures and methods with a low ignition source must be taken into account.
Transport, site setup and power supply
For operations with hydraulic power packs, placement should be planned so that hose runs remain short, protected, and clear. The midi excavator should be able to reach the attachments without repositioning. Short setup times through suitable quick couplers, orderly tool storage, and clear signals between operator and signaler increase execution quality. For tight access routes, turning radii, ramp gradients, and the load-bearing capacity of slabs or floors must be checked.
Performance parameters and sizing of the carrier machine
Performance results from the combination of system pressure, flow rate, valve characteristics, thermal management, and mechanical limits. Attention must be paid to pressure loss in lines, adequate sizing of the free-flow return, and oil cleanliness. Auxiliary power packs must be selected to reliably provide the required flow rates for rock splitting cylinders. When using a tiltrotator, potential restrictions due to additional rotary unions (flow losses) must be considered.
Maintenance, wear, and service life
Regular visual inspections of pins, bushings, cutting edges, crusher jaws, cylinders, and hoses increase operational safety. Oil filters and couplings must be kept clean to avoid cavitation and seal wear. With shear tools, the correct setting of the pressure relief and timely turning or replacement of wear parts extend service life. Splitting systems benefit from properly guided boreholes, suitable wedge/splitting geometries, and clean hydraulic oil.
Practical use cases
- Selective deconstruction of a reinforced concrete slab: midi excavator with concrete demolition shear and rotation function for controlled removal field by field; followed by source-separated placement.
- Removing a foundation head near sensitive building components: combination of rock and concrete splitters and subsequent pickup of fragments with the excavator bucket.
- Dismantling light steel platforms: use of combination shears and multi cutters; the midi excavator holds components in tension and prevents uncontrolled tipping.
- Block extraction in the stone quarry: set borehole lines, split with rock splitting cylinders, then position the rough blocks.
Trends and developments
Electrified midi excavators and low-emission hydraulic power packs are gaining importance. In combination with splitting- and shear-based methods, this enables quiet, controlled work with reduced emissions. Digital assistance systems and more precise hydraulic controls support repeatability when positioning concrete demolition shear or sequencing splitting operations. At the same time, simple, robust solutions remain in demand when maintenance reliability and mobility have priority.
Distinction from mini and large excavators
Compared to mini excavators, midi excavators offer more reach, higher stability, and sufficient hydraulic reserves for demanding tools. Compared to large carrier machines, they score with lower space requirements, better accessibility, and often lower demands on access routes and setup areas. Especially for work with hydraulic power packs, rock and concrete splitters, and concrete demolition shear, this results in a well-balanced combination of performance, precision, and protection of the surroundings.