Shovel excavators shape earthworks, deconstruction and raw material extraction. They move soil, rock and concrete, lift loads, and serve as a carrier machine for hydraulic attachments. In combination with tools such as concrete demolition shears or hydraulic rock and concrete splitters, shovel excavators evolve from pure earthmovers into precise carrier machines for concrete demolition, rock removal, natural stone extraction or special deconstruction. The decisive factor is the right combination of carrier machine, equipment and working method—practical, safe and gentle on materials.
Definition: What is meant by a shovel excavator
A shovel excavator is a hydraulically powered construction machine carrier with an uppercarriage, undercarriage, boom and a tool guided by a coupler or quick coupler, often a bucket (loading bucket, trenching bucket or front shovel). In common usage, the term is often used for excavators with bucket equipment that loosen, load or move material. The shovel excavator is to be distinguished from the bucket-wheel excavator (a continuously conveying large-scale opencast machine). The shovel excavator operates cyclically: loosening, loading, swinging, dumping.
Design and operating principle
The uppercarriage carries the engine, hydraulics, operator’s cab, and the slew ring bearing for 360° rotation. The stick and coupling system are mounted on the boom. The undercarriage is configured as a crawler or wheeled chassis. The hydraulic system provides flow rate and pressure for movements and attachments. In concrete demolition or rock work, the bucket is used for preparation, grading and sorting; for actual separating, breaking or splitting, the bucket is removed and a suitable tool—such as a concrete demolition shear or a rock and concrete splitter—is attached.
Types and boom systems
Shovel excavators are classified by undercarriage, size and boom geometry. Selection and configuration influence reach, lifting capacity, stability and the suitability as a carrier for hydraulic tools.
Undercarriages
- Crawler excavator: high stability on uneven terrain, often the first choice in concrete demolition, rock work and natural stone extraction.
- Wheeled excavator: flexible on paved surfaces, advantageous in city centers, for strip-out and cutting work with attachments.
Boom geometry
- Monoblock boom: robust, good lifting performance for heavy attachments such as concrete demolition shears.
- Two-piece boom (adjustable boom): greater variability in reach and height, helpful for precise special deconstruction.
- Front shovel (loading bucket): for removal above grade, less common in deconstruction; the trenching bucket dominates earthworks and excavation.
Applications in concrete demolition and special deconstruction
In concrete demolition, the shovel excavator prepares work areas, removes cover layers, separates material and loads it. With a concrete demolition shear on the quick coupler, components can be separated with low noise and vibration. In combination with sorting tasks using the bucket, clear material streams emerge—such as concrete, reinforcement and mixed fractions—as the basis for recycling.
Procedure
- Expose and relieve components by loosening and removing with the bucket.
- Primary separation with a concrete demolition shear; reinforcement is cut, components are removed in a controlled manner.
- Finishing and sorting with the bucket; loading and haul-off.
Rock removal and tunnel construction
In rock removal, the shovel excavator uses the bucket for clearing and loading tasks. For actually loosening rock, rock and concrete splitters are suitable; they introduce controlled splitting forces and reduce vibration. The excavator positions the cylinders and supports the clearing of the split material. In tunnel construction, the combination of a compact excavator, precise tool control and low emissions is decisive.
Natural stone extraction
In quarries, blocks are obtained by drilling and splitting. Shovel excavators handle the process: positioning drilling points, removing overburden, repositioning and loading the blocks. Rock wedge splitters create the split, and the excavator secures and lifts the released block. This method is gentle on the stone and supports quality yield.
Strip-out and cutting
During strip-out, installations, lines and components are selectively removed. The shovel excavator acts as a carrier for cutting and gripping tools and uses the bucket for material logistics. For cutting reinforced concrete or composite components, concrete demolition shears and combination shears are suitable; metal components can be processed with steel shears or special cutters. By switching between bucket and cutting tools, the material flow remains efficient.
Special use: sensitive deconstruction and low-impact methods
Where vibration, noise or emissions must be minimized—such as near existing buildings, infrastructure or in inner-city areas—splitting of concrete and rock is recommended. Rock and concrete splitters act directionally and reduce secondary damage. The shovel excavator ensures accessibility, applies contact pressure during positioning and performs subsequent clearing.
Hydraulic attachments and interfaces
The performance of a shovel excavator in deconstruction strongly depends on the hydraulic system and the coupling interface. For concrete demolition shears, combination shears, multi cutters, steel shears or tank cutters, flow, pressure and return line must be considered. For splitting technology, hydraulic power units are required to supply rock wedge splitters or concrete splitters; the excavator handles and positions them.
Quick couplers and control
- Hydraulic quick coupler for safe, fast tool changes.
- Proportional control for sensitive gripping, cutting and splitting.
- Auxiliary circuits with sufficient flow rate and a free-flow return for high-performance tools.
Selection criteria for shovel excavators in deconstruction
The correct sizing of the carrier machine is the basis for safety, productivity and tool preservation.
- Machine weight and stability: sufficient reserve for heavy concrete demolition shears or steel shears.
- Hydraulic performance: flow rate and pressure to match the tool; thermal reserve in continuous duty.
- Reach and kinematics: boom selection by building height, undercut and visibility.
- Transport width and accessibility: relevant in inner-city or confined areas.
- Driver assistance and visibility: cameras, safety glazing, protective grilles for safe operation.
Working methods: interaction of bucket and tool
Efficient site execution relies on targeted switching between bucket and attachment. The bucket handles clearing, grading and sorting; the concrete demolition shear handles separation; splitters loosen massive components with low vibration. The result is predictable cycle times, reduced risk of damage and clean material streams.
Example process chain
- Preparation with the bucket: removal, exposure, creating access.
- Separation with a concrete demolition shear: controlled breaking, cutting of reinforcement.
- Splitting massive components: use of rock and concrete splitters, then removal with the bucket.
- Sorting and loading: bucket and, if necessary, a grapple for clean fractions.
Safety and environmental protection
Safe work requires suitable protective measures, regular training and compliance with applicable rules. Dust and noise reduction, stable setup and the selection of low-vibration methods are particularly important in sensitive areas. For splitting work, borehole covers and defined work zones enhance safety. Information on maximum loads, load charts and hydraulic limits of the excavator must be observed. Legal requirements may vary by location and should always be observed.
Economics and quality
A coherent combination of excavator size, hydraulics, tool and method increases performance and protects both the structure and the equipment. Rock and concrete splitters reduce collateral damage, concrete demolition shears accelerate selective deconstruction. The bucket remains the link for area performance and material logistics. Quality criteria include: minimal secondary breakage, clean separation surfaces, pure material fractions and consistent cycle times.
Maintenance, logistics and deployment planning
Regular inspection of hydraulic lines, couplings and tool mounts ensures readiness for operation. For splitting technology, hydraulic power packs and rock wedge splitters must be checked for tightness and performance. Well-planned logistics—access routes, intermediate storage, removal—reduces downtime. Switching between bucket and tool is scheduled into the cycle to avoid idle time.