Construction Specifications

Every spec that matters on the job site - standardised, verified and comparable.

A real 20-tonne-class excavator comparison, in the same terms our own engineers use - what breakout force actually means, how tractive force differs from ground bearing pressure, and a first look at the real numbers behind seven manufacturers.

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The Dataset

Real depth, not a marketing number.

One machine class, fully normalised - here's what that actually looks like in practice, before you see a single value.

13
Spec categories tracked
150+
Individual fields per machine
7
Manufacturers compared
2
Unit systems - metric & imperial
A Real Comparison

20-tonne-class excavators, seven manufacturers, real numbers.

A sample of the real data behind this class, pulled from across the full spec sheet - not just the flattering rows. Manufacturers are anonymised here as A–G; every value is real.

Field Manufacturer A Manufacturer B Manufacturer C Manufacturer D Manufacturer E Manufacturer F Manufacturer G
Description
Machine
Operating Weightkg [lb] 21657 [47745] 21900 [48300] 21700 [47840] 22037 [48583] 22000 [48501] 21700 [47840] 22000 [48501]
Number Of Boom Options 2311222
Mono Boom
Boom Sizem [ft] 5.7 [18ft 8in] 5.7 [18ft 8in] – 5.7 [18ft 8in] – 5.6 [18ft 4in] 5.65 [18ft 6in]
Max Dipper Lengthmm [ft] 2900 [9ft 6in] 2900 [9ft 6in] 2900 [9ft 6in] 3000 [9ft 10in] 2910 [9ft 6in] 2900 [9ft 6in] 3500 [11ft 6in]
Driveline
Power Source → Engine
Net OutputkW [hp] 115 [156] 128.5 [172] 90 [121] 129 [173] 122 [163.6] 121 [162] 122 [164]
DisplacementL [in³] 4 [244] 4.4 [268] 4.46 [272] 4.8 [292] 5.19 [316.9] 5.89 [359] 4.57 [279]
Axles & Tracks → Track Plates
Track Shoes Per Side 49495149494549
Dimensions
Transport Dimensions → Height
Max Heightmm [ft] 3083 [10ft 1in] 3160 [10ft 4in] 3130 [10ft 3in] 3200 [10ft 5in] 3030 [9ft 11in] 3139 [10ft 4in] 3210 [10ft 6in]
Static Dimensions → Length
Tailswing Radiusmm [ft] 2850 [9ft 4in] 2830 [9ft 3in] 2545 [8ft 4in] 2846 [9ft 4in] 2910 [9ft 6in] 2815 [9ft 3in] 2910 [9ft 7in]
Ground Engaging Tools
Bucket
Reference Capacitym³ [yd³] 0.92 [1.2] 1.19 [1.56] 0.6 [0.78] 1.1 [1.44] 0.8 [1.05] 0.92 [1.2] 0.8 [1.05]
Performance Dimensions
Dig Dimensions – Mono Boom
Dig Depthmm [ft] 6781 [22ft 3in] 6720 [22ft] 5960 [19ft 7in] 6096 [20ft] 6670 [21ft 10in] 6270 [20ft 7in] 6700 [22ft]
Digging Reachmm [ft] 9993 [32ft 9in] – 8960 [29ft 5in] 9361 [30ft 8in] 9920 [32ft 6in] 9535 [31ft 3in] 9900 [32ft 6in]
Capacities
Fluids
Fuel TankL [gal US] 330 [87] 345 [91] 300 [79] 387 [102] 300 [79.2] 339 [90] 321 [84.8]
Performance
Loadings → Machine
Ground Bearing PressurekPa [psi] 45.1 [6.5] 45.6 [6.6] 19.61 [2.8] 51.97 [7.54] 55 [7.98] 48 [7] 46 [6.67]
Dynamic → Machine
Tractive ForcekN [lbf] – 205 [45996] 151 [33946] 207.5 [46647] 203 [45636] 290 [65195] 228 [51256]
Dipper TearoutkN [lbf] 110 [24729] 115 [25960] 86.2 [19379] 126.6 [28460] 114 [25628] 111.8 [25134] 112 [25178]
Gradeability% 70707070707070
Weights
Static → Transport Weight
Mono Boomkg [lb] 21577 [47569] 21900 [48300] 21620 [47664] 22037 [48583] 22000 [48501] 21700 [47840] 22000 [48501]
The Terminology

The numbers, defined in plain English.

Spec sheets use precise engineering terms without explaining them. Here's what the ones that actually matter for comparing machines really mean.

Breakout Force
The maximum digging force a bucket or dipper can exert, tested at a single point. Higher isn't always better if it comes at the cost of controllability.
Bucket Breakout vs. Dipper Tearout
Breakout force measured two ways: curling the bucket (bucket breakout) versus extending the dipper arm (dipper tearout). A machine can lead on one and trail on the other.
Boost Pressure (on breakout figures)
Some machines quote a higher breakout number using a temporary hydraulic pressure boost, available only in short bursts. Whether a figure relies on boost changes what it's actually telling you.
Tractive Force
How much pulling and pushing force the tracks can put to the ground - what actually gets a machine up a slope or through soft ground.
Ground Bearing Pressure
The machine's operating weight spread across its track contact area. Lower means less ground disturbance on soft or sensitive terrain.
Slew Torque
The rotational force available to turn the upper structure. Matters for digging on a slope or swinging a full bucket quickly.
Gradeability
The steepest slope a machine can climb, expressed as both degrees and a percentage - different scales, not two ways of saying the same number.
Gross vs. Net Output
Gross output is the engine alone, on a test stand. Net output is measured with the cooling fan, alternator and other accessories attached - the number closer to what's actually available to do work.
Dig Depth
Maximum vertical reach below ground level, usually quoted alongside a shallower "flat bottom" figure for a trench with a level base.
Digging Reach / Ground Level Reach
How far from the machine's centreline the bucket can dig, at maximum extension and at ground level respectively.
Zero Tailswing
Whether the rear of the upper structure stays within the width of the tracks when it rotates. Matters for working close to walls or in confined sites.
End Lift vs. Side Lift Capacity
Lift capacity quoted straight ahead (end) and rotated 90° over the side (side). The side figure is usually lower and is the one that matters for most real lifting work.
The Full Picture

150+ fields tracked for every machine in this class.

The sample above shows real values for a curated set of fields. Here's how the rest break down by category - the exact field names, units and tracking order are reserved for subscribers.

15
Description
23
Driveline
17
Dimensions
10
Ground Engaging Tools
19
Performance Dimensions
6
Capacities
37
Performance
2
Weights
1
Telematics
How This Is Verified

Every figure above traces back to the manufacturer's own literature.

The values in this comparison are sourced from published OEM documentation and checked by our own engineers - not scraped and left as-is.

See Exactly How We Verify Every Spec →

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This is a fixed sample. The Corporate Portal has every field, every manufacturer in your subscription, updated monthly.

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