The best replacement for excavator is backhoe.

The best alternatives to excavator are rated as following:
★★★★★  backhoe
★★★  bulldozer
★★  loader
★  nevegal
★  dozer
★  skid steer
  shovel
  digger
  wheel loader
  steamroller
  tractor
  excavator
  trencher

Your alternative for excavator is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about excavator, one probably shouldn't forget about front loader.

Other search terms related to excavator and their ratings are:
★★★★★ front loader
★ jack hammer
You have in mind a companion for excavator and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of excavator in all years. Click on graph for more.
excavator
backhoe
bulldozer