What is the Difference Between a Crawler Excavator and a Wheel Excavator?

In the construction machinery industry, both crawler excavators and wheel excavators play vital roles, but each serves different purposes based on project requirements. As a leading excavator manufacturer and exporter, Sinomach-HI International Equipment Co., Ltd., we provide both types to meet the diverse needs of our global customers. Understanding the differences can help you make the right choice for your business.

Crawler Excavators, also known as track excavators, are equipped with tracks instead of wheels. These machines are ideal for heavy-duty projects and challenging terrains such as muddy, rocky, or uneven ground. Their lower center of gravity provides excellent stability, making them perfect for mining, large-scale excavation, and forestry operations. However, they tend to move more slowly and are best transported via trailers for long-distance relocation.

Wheel Excavators, on the other hand, are equipped with rubber tires, making them highly mobile and suitable for urban construction, road maintenance, and utility work. They can travel between sites on their own, reducing the need for additional transport. While they may not perform as well on rough terrain, they offer increased speed and flexibility on paved surfaces.

At Sinomach-HI International, a proud subsidiary of China National Machinery Industry Group (Sinomach), we offer a full range of both crawler and wheel excavators under our Changlin brand. Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Changzhou National High-Tech Zone, our company covers an area of 500,000 square meters and is backed by several national-level R&D platforms, including a National Enterprise Technology Center and Postdoctoral Research Station.

Recognized as a National High-Tech Enterprise and a Gazelle Enterprise in the Suzhou-South Innovation Zone, Changlin has a long history of innovation—from producing China's first forestry grab machine to leading over 20 national and provincial research projects. Our commitment to quality and technology has made us a trusted name in the global construction machinery market.

Whether you're looking for high-performance crawler excavators for demanding projects or mobile wheel excavators for urban worksites, Sinomach-HI offers the reliable, cutting-edge solutions your business needs.