Both reduced and zero tailswing excavators can offer a tremendous advantage when maneuvering in tight, confined spaces, such as close to lot lines and foundations in a subdivision, or near traffic during road work.

"With a zero tailswing machine, the housing doesn't hang over the tracks. So you can pull up next to a wall or building and dig and swing without the rear of the machine hitting anything, or doing damage on the construction site," says Bill Gearhart, marketing and product manager, Yanmar.

But the characteristics that give them this ability can also make it a little more challenging when it comes to performing routine maintenance. And major repairs, such as rebuilding pumps, travel motors and hydraulic systems, can be more costly because more labor may be required.

"When a major component goes down, you will likely have to take the counterweight off the excavator," says Jeff Powell, general product manager, Liebherr Earthmoving. "You may not have to do that in a conventional swing model."

Same components, tighter package
The actual maintenance schedule for a reduced or zero tailswing model is essentially the same as its conventional counterpart. Routine preventive maintenance tasks such as checking the engine oil and hydraulic fluid, or changing the oil filter or air cleaner, don't change just because those components are more tightly packaged.