Long reach excavators in UAE: when 20 m digging depth makes a difference

Most excavation work does not need a machine that can dig 20 m below ground. Standard excavators already cover roadwork, foundations, utilities, trenching, and general earthmoving well.

The situation changes when the bucket needs to work far below the tracks, across a canal, or from well behind an excavation edge. In those jobs, reach becomes more important than having the fastest digging cycle, and that is where a long reach excavator starts to make sense.

When do you need a long reach excavator instead of a standard excavator?

A long reach excavator is useful when the required depth or working distance goes beyond a standard boom, or when the machine needs to stay farther from the excavation itself.

A useful example is the Komatsu PC850 long boom excavator. Its 16 m boom and 12 m stick give it about 20 m of digging depth and 26 m of maximum reach. For context, a standard Cat 323D3 digs about 6 m deep, so the PC850 can reach work that sits far outside a conventional excavator’s normal digging range. 

That extra reach suits UAE jobs such as:

Canals and drainage: The bucket can remove sediment or reshape banks while the excavator stays farther from the water or channel edge.

Marine and waterfront work: Ports, marinas, coastal infrastructure, and dredging support can require the bucket to work below the machine or away from the available working platform.

Deep excavations: Pits, shafts, drainage structures, and large foundations can extend beyond the digging depth of a conventional excavator.

Slope and embankment work: A long boom can work farther along the face without repositioning the excavator as often.

Difficult material recovery: Material below an edge or across a trench can sometimes be reached while keeping the tracks farther back.

In these situations, the important number is not simply machine size. It is whether the excavator can reach the work from a practical position.

How a longer boom changes digging performance

Extra reach changes the forces acting on the excavator. When the PC850's bucket works close to its 26 m maximum reach, the load sits much farther from the tracks than it would on a standard excavator.

That extra distance increases the overturning force on the machine, so bucket load, working radius, ground conditions, and machine position become more important as the boom extends. Dense material carried at long radius also places more demand on the excavator than lighter sediment closer to the tracks.

This is why long boom excavators suit controlled work such as canal cleaning, dredging support, slope shaping, and deep excavation more than fast truck-loading cycles. Operators still need to work within the machine manufacturer’s permitted working range and lifting limits.

At about 85 tons, the PC850 provides a substantial tracked base for its extended front, while its roughly 2 m³ bucket is sized for long-reach excavation rather than maximum material per cycle.

Buyers looking for the full dimensions can check the Komatsu PC850 technical specifications.

Find long boom excavators for sale on Makana

Makana offers long boom excavators for sale in the UAE, including large machines for deep excavation, marine work, dredging, and other specialized applications.

Depending on the machine, buyers can access 75+ point inspection reports, oil analysis, operational videos, detailed photography, and Ultra-HD 3D and 360° views before purchase. Virtual and in-person inspections in Dubai also help buyers review the actual condition of a specialized excavator before committing.

Makana also provides financing and installment options for eligible machines and a machinery procurement service when the required long boom excavator is not currently available. Buyers can also arrange UAE or international shipping after purchase.

For a specialized machine such as an 85-ton long reach excavator, that gives buyers clearer information about its condition and specifications, plus inspection, financing, sourcing, and delivery support before purchase.

FAQs

What is a long reach excavator?

A long reach excavator uses an extended boom and stick to dig deeper or work farther from the tracks than a standard excavator. It is commonly used for canals, deep excavation, dredging, slopes, and marine work.

How deep can the Komatsu PC850 long boom excavator dig?

The Komatsu PC850 long boom configuration can dig about 20 m deep.

How far can the Komatsu PC850 reach?

Its maximum digging reach is about 26 m, using a 16 m boom and 12 m stick.

How much does the Komatsu PC850 long boom weigh?

The long boom configuration weighs about 85 tons.

Why not use a long boom excavator for normal digging?

A standard excavator usually provides a more compact setup and faster production cycles when additional reach is unnecessary. Long boom machines are better suited to jobs where depth or distance is the main limitation.

What UAE projects use long reach excavators?

Typical applications include canal maintenance, deep drainage work, waterfront construction, dredging support, deep excavations, and slope shaping.

Where can I buy a long reach excavator in the UAE?

Makana offers inspected long boom excavators in the UAE, with condition information, remote or in-person inspections, financing options, machinery sourcing, and shipping support.