In the beginning, the excavator was manual. It has been more than 130 years since it was invented in 2013. During this period, it has experienced from the steam-driven bucket rotary excavator to the electric drive and internal combustion excavator. The gradual development process of the technology of fully automatic hydraulic excavators. The first hydraulic excavator was successfully invented by the Poclain factory in France. Due to the application of hydraulic technology, a hydraulic backhoe mounted excavator was installed on the tractor in the 1940s. In 1951, the first full hydraulic backhoe excavator was launched by the Poclain factory in France, which created a new space in the field of excavator technology development. Trailers were developed in the early and mid 1950s. Full-rotation hydraulic excavator and crawler full hydraulic excavator. The initial trial-produced hydraulic excavators used the hydraulic technology of airplanes and machine tools, and lacked hydraulic components suitable for various working conditions of the excavators, the manufacturing quality was not stable enough, and the supporting parts were not complete. Since the 1960s, hydraulic excavators have entered a stage of promotion and vigorous development. Excavator manufacturers and varieties in various countries have increased rapidly, and output has soared. From 1968 to 1970, the output of hydraulic excavators accounted for 83% of the total output of excavators, which was close to 100%.

First generation excavator

With the emergence of electric motors and internal combustion engines, excavators have advanced and suitable electric devices, and various excavator products have been born. In 1899, the first electric excavator appeared. After the First World War, diesel engines were also used on excavators. This diesel engine (or electric motor) driven mechanical excavator was the first generation of excavators.

Second generation excavator

With the widespread use of hydraulic technology, excavators have a more scientific and applicable transmission device, hydraulic transmission instead of mechanical transmission is a great leap in excavator technology. In 1950, Germany's first hydraulic excavator was born. The hydraulic mechanical transmission is the second generation excavator.

The third generation excavator

The wide application of electronic technology, especially computer technology, has enabled the excavator to have an automated control system, and also enabled the excavator to develop in the direction of high performance, automation and intelligence. The germination of mechatronics took place around 1965, and the use of mechatronics technology on mass-produced hydraulic excavators was around 1985, when the main purpose was to save energy. The electronic excavator is the symbol of the third-generation excavator.