Tracked vs wheeled excavators: matching earthmoving equipment to tough conditions in Africa

“Selecting the appropriate excavator for a construction or mining project is a critical decision for equipment owners in Africa. With diverse working environments that extend from congested urban grids to arduous conditions in mining, choosing between tracked (or crawler) and wheeled excavators, has a direct impact on operational efficiency, cost management, safety and project timelines,” says Johann Viljoen – National Sales Manager, Develon SA – a global leader in earthmoving equipment. “The Develon team works closely with our broad customer base to ensure the correct excavator is selected to suit the geographic and technical factors of each project. We stress the importance of aligning equipment procurement strategies with specific site performance demands, project deadlines and budget restraints.

“Total cost of ownership (TCO) is becoming increasingly important across the industry. When deciding between tracked and wheeled excavators, businesses should consider more factors other than the purchase price. Fuel efficiency, operating hours, wear components, service intervals and dealer support all contribute to lifecycle costs.

“Long linear projects, like road expansions and rail construction, may benefit from a mixed fleet of equipment, where tracked excavators have been developed to handle remote, heavy-duty work and wheeled units efficiently manage accessible segments and urban projects.”

Tracked excavators

Tracked excavators – known for stability and traction – are designed for high performance and greater safety in remote or rugged conditions. The continuous track design of these machines provides enhanced grip and greater balance on uneven surfaces, making them particularly well-suited for challenging applications, including mining operations, bulk earthworks and construction in rural or undeveloped areas.

The robust hydraulic system and low centre of gravity allow tracked models to deliver greater digging force and lifting capacity, especially when handling heavy materials or operating on difficult slopes.

Tracked excavators require frequent inspections of track tension, rollers and the undercarriage, particularly in sandy and abrasive environments.

In making important decisions about the investment in capital equipment, decision makers need to appreciate that tracked excavators are slower to relocate between sites, often requiring flatbed transport. Despite higher initial and operating costs, the durability and power of these machines make them a valuable investment in challenging high-impact, off-road applications.

Wheeled excavators

In contrast, wheeled excavators – equipped with stabilisers and specialised buckets – offer mobility and flexibility, making them suitable for urban infrastructure projects. These machines are able to move independently between jobs, without the need for transport vehicles, which reduces downtime and improves scheduling efficiency. With lower ground pressure, they are less likely to damage paved surfaces and are therefore recommended for tasks like road maintenance, utility trenching and municipal upgrades.

Equipment owners need to give special attention to tyres, brakes and hydraulic systems of wheeled excavators, especially when operating on rough surfaces or changing elevations.

Although wheeled excavators are less stable on uneven or loose surfaces and have a lower digging force than tracked models, they offer cost advantages in metropolitan settings, with lower maintenance requirements and more predictable fuel consumption.

A walk around Develon tracked and wheeled excavators

Develon tracked and wheeled excavators offer important features that contribute to each machine’s operational reliability in tough conditions in Africa, where uneven terrain, extreme heat, dust and humidity are challenging.

Notable features of Develon tracked excavators include higher traction force, greater bucket digging forces and increased swing torque, to ensure improved performance and faster cycle times.

A Develon wheeled excavator offers superior agility, with the ability to move faster from one position to another over longer distances. The machine’s outriggers and dozer blade provide enhanced stability when operating the work tool, ensuring safe and efficient performance.

These durable machines are built with eco-friendly, high-powered, fuel-efficient engines, a robust chassis structure and advanced hydraulic systems, to maximise performance and reliability in arduous environments. In addition, these excavators boast important features for precision control, enhanced operator safety and greater comfort.

Easy access to all components, including the engine oil filter, radiators and grease inlets, ensures quick maintenance procedures and prevents contamination to the surrounding environment. Develon Connect Telematics enable users to monitor equipment to manage maintenance requirements and reduce operating costs.

Develon excavators can be adapted for special applications by adding attachments for unusually long digging reaches; orange grapples and clamshell buckets for material handlers; rotating crushers and multi-processors for high-reach demolition tasks and straight or V-shape shovel buckets for front shovels tasks.

The company is the official distributor of Develon excavators, articulated dump trucks (ADT’s) and wheel loaders in Southern Africa. The company also supplies and supports a wide range of Tonly and Everdigm mining and construction equipment and attachments.

Develon SA’s extensive branch network offers technical support, easy access to quality branded spare parts, a reliable repair and maintenance, as well as operator training services.