How to Use Excavator Controls

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When operating an excavator, it’s critical to understand which joystick patterns operate the boom, bucket, dipper, and swing. The ISO and SAE operator control patterns are two distinct types. This article offers crucial safety advice for excavators as well as an explanation of how the two vary.

ISO vs. SAE: Excavator Joystick Control Patterns

Regardless of the size of the excavator you are operating, the controls function in the same manner. There are two primary excavator control patterns: ISO, established by the International Organization for Standardization, and SAE, established by the Society of Automotive Engineers.

The ISO pattern, also known as “CAT controls” or “excavator controls,” is the more widely used pattern. The SAE pattern, often referred to as “John Deere Controls” or “backhoe controls,” is a standard primarily used in the United States.

Newer excavator models may have a lever that allows you to switch between control patterns, depending on your machine. This lever is typically located under the floorboard in the cab or behind a panel.

The key difference between the two patterns is that ISO controls utilize the right-hand lever to control the boom and bucket, and the left-hand lever for the dipper (stick) and swing. On the other hand, SAE controls use the right-hand lever for the dipper (stick) and bucket, and the left-hand lever for the boom and swing. Your machine likely has a card or documentation indicating the control pattern it follows.

Here are the control patterns:

ISO Controls

The most common setup for operator controls, the ISO pattern is as follows:

  • Left-hand lever (dipper and swing):
    • Toward you: Bring dipper (stick) toward you
    • Away from you: Extend dipper (stick) away from you
    • Left: Swing left
    • Right: Swing right
  • Right-hand lever(boom and bucket):
    • Toward you: Raise the boom
    • Away from you: Lower the boom
    • Left: Curl bucket in (to close)
    • Right: Curl bucket out (to dump materials)

SAE Controls

The SAE pattern is different from ISO, using the left-hand joystick for the boom and swing, and the right-hand joystick for the dipper and bucket. Both control standards use the left-hand joystick for swing. The SAE pattern is as follows:

  • Left-hand lever (boom and swing):
    • Toward you: Raise the boom
    • Away from you: Lower the boom
    • Left: Swing left
    • Right: Swing right
  • Right-hand lever(dipper and bucket):
    • Toward you: Bring dipper toward you
    • Away from you: Extend dipper away from you
    • Left: Curl bucket in (to close)
    • Right: Curl bucket out (to dump materials)

How to Operate an Excavator

Before entering the excavator, ensure that the door is firmly secured and fastened to the side of the machine to prevent it from closing unexpectedly and to provide a stable handle for safe entry. Maintain three points of contact as you climb into the cab. Once inside, follow these steps:

  1. Begin by fastening your seat belt.
  2. Release the door lock and close the door.
  3. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the controls before commencing operation of the excavator.

Digging and Trenching

For the most stability while digging, line up in a straight line. The following tips will help you learn how to use the excavator bucket to dig:

  1. Extend the dipper/stick and bucket all the way out, then lower it till you’re about a foot off the ground.
  2. Point the bucket teeth down, lower it to pierce the ground, and then curl the bucket in to dig and fill the bucket.
  3. Raise the bucket five to six feet off the ground, then swing left (or right) to dump.
  4. Repeat the action.

As you get more experienced, you can use both levers at the same time to scrape a thin layer off the surface of the ground.

Driving and Parking

Before moving the excavator, follow these steps:

  1. Turn the key to start the excavator.
  2. Check the display for error codes and ensure it has fuel.
  3. Engage the safety lock lever (the controls won’t work while it’s locked).

There are two track pedals, one for each track. These have hand controls and foot pedals, so you can also use your feet to push. Pushing forward moves the track forward while pulling back moves it back. Therefore, you will push forward on both controls to move the excavator forward. Pull back on both to move back. Use a combination of pedals to steer and maneuver the excavator. You may find it easier to drive the excavator if your cab is squared up to the tracks so the orientation is clear.

To park the excavator, lower the bucket to the ground, put the safety lock lever down, and turn the power off using the key.

Backfilling

To backfill, reverse the digging instructions. The main difference is that you don’t need to raise the bucket so high. To fill the hole more quickly, you can scrape and swing at the same time. You may be able to flatten the bucket and use the back or the side of it to push the material into the hole as you swing back or sideways. Don’t do this with a lot of material or heavy substances.

Grading

You can use an excavator to change the grade/slope of a piece of land, either for building on a construction site or to help water flow a certain way. You can do this with either the excavator bucket or a grading attachment, following the steps below:

  1. Point the bucket straight down and rake the ground with the bucket to loosen the dirt.
  2. Pull the bucket straight back along the ground to scrape and gather the material to the area you want to raise. Use the bottom of the bucket to spread it evenly.
  3. Keep the bucket at a consistent angle to achieve a uniform grade.

Do Backhoe and Excavator Controls Operate Similarly?

While some modern backhoes and excavators can be configured to use either SAE or ISO controls, traditionally backhoes followed the SAE pattern, and excavators followed the ISO pattern. However, it’s important to note that while the joystick control pattern may be the same, the overall controls to operate the machines can still differ. Control variations exist between manufacturers and specific machine models. Additionally, due to the presence of a front loader and wheels on a backhoe, the driving pedals and controls will differ from those of an excavator equipped with tracks.

Excavator Safety Tips

Whether you plan to operate a mini-excavator or another type of excavator, you should follow best safety practices to prevent accidents.

  • 1. Conduct a Pre-Operation Safety Check
  • 2. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
  • 3. Maintain Your Equipment