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Heavy construction equipment are used for various purposes in large projects. Selection of different types of heavy equipment depends on the size of the work and economy of the project. These make construction process easier and faster.Heavy construction equipment are used for various purposes in large projects. Selection of different types of heavy equipment depends on the size of the work and economy of the project. These make construction process easier and faster.Different types of heavy equipment commonly used in the construction are as follows:Excavators are important and widely used equipment in construction industry. Their general purpose is to excavation but other than that they are also used for many purposes like heavy lifting, demolition, river dredging, cutting of trees etc. Excavators contains a long arm and a cabinet. At the end of long arm digging bucket is provided and cabinet is the place provided for machine operator. This whole cabin arrangement can be rotatable up to 360which eases the operation. Excavators are available in both wheeled and tracked forms of vehicles.Backhoe is another widely used equipment which is suitable for multiple purposes. The name itself telling that the hoe arrangement is provided on the back side of vehicle while loading bucket is provided in the front. This is well useful for excavating trenches below the machine level and using front bucket loading, unloading and lifting of materials can be done.Dragline excavator is another heavy equipment used in construction which is generally used for larger depth excavations. It consists a long length boom and digging bucket is suspended from the top of the boom using cable. For the construction of ports, for excavations under water, sediment removal in water bodies etc. can be done by dragline excavator.Bulldozers are another type of soil excavating equipment which are used to remove the topsoil layer up to particular depth. The removal of soil is done by the sharp edged wide metal plate provided at its front. This plate can be lowered and raised using hydraulic pistons. These are widely used for the removal of weak soil or rock strata, lifting of soil etc.Graders also called as motor graders are another type of equipment used in construction especially for the construction of roads. It is mainly used to level the soil surface. It contains a horizontal blade in between front and rear wheels and this blade is lowered in to the ground while working. Operating cabin is provided on the top of rear axle arrangement. Motor Graders are also used to remove snow or dirt from the roads, to flatten the surface of soil before laying asphalt layer, to remove unnecessary soil layer from the ground etc.Wheel Tractor Scrapers are earth moving equipment used to provide flatten soil surface through scrapping. Front part contains wheeled tractor vehicle and rear part contain a scrapping arrangement such as horizontal front blade, conveyor belt and soil collecting hopper. When the front blade is lowered onto the ground and vehicle is moved, the blade starts digging the soil above the blade level and the soil excavated is collected in hopper through conveyor belt. When the hopper is full, the rear part is raised from the ground and hopper is unloaded at soil dump yard.Trenchers or Trenching machines are used to excavate trenches in soil. These trenches are generally used for pipeline laying, cable laying, drainage purposes etc. Trenching machines are available in two types namely chain trenchers and wheeled trenchers. Chain trenchers contains a fixed long arm around which digging chain is provided. Wheeled trenchers contains a metal wheel with digging tooth around it. To excavate hard soil layers, wheeled trenchers are more suitable. Both types of trenchers are available in tracked as well as wheeled vehicle forms.Loaders are used in construction site to load the material onto dumpers, trucks etc. The materials may be excavated soil, demolition waste, raw materials, etc. A loader contain large sized bucket at its front with shorter moving arm. Loader may be either tracked or wheeled. Wheeled loaders are widely used in sites while tracked or crawled loaders are used in sites where wheeled vehicles cannot reach.Tower cranes are fixed cranes which are used for hoisting purposes in construction of tall structures. Heavy materials like pre-stressed concrete blocks, steel trusses, frames etc. can be easily lifted to required height using this type of equipment. They consists mast which is the vertical supporting tower, Jib which is operating arm of crane, counter jib which is the other arm carries counter weight on rear side of crane and an operator cabin from which the crane can be operated.Paver or Asphalt paver is pavement laying equipment which is used in road construction. Paver contains a feeding bucket in which asphalt is continuously loaded by the dump truck and paver distributes the asphalt evenly on the road surface with slight compaction. However a roller is required after laying asphalt layer for perfect compaction.Compactors or Rollers are used to compact the material or earth surface. Different types of compactors are available for different compacting purposes. Smooth wheel rollers are used for compacting shallow layers of soil or asphalt etc. sheep-foot rollers are used for deep compaction purposes. Pneumatic tyred rollers are used for compacting fine grained soils, asphalt layers etc.Telehandlers are hoisting equipment used in construction to lift heavy materials up to required height or to provide construction platform for workers at greater heights etc. It contains a long telescopic boom which can be raised or lowered or forwarded. Different types of arrangements like forklifts, buckets, cabin, lifting jibs etc. can be attached to the end of telescopic boom based on the requirement of job.Feller buncher is tree cutting heavy equipment used to remove large trees in the construction field. They cut the tree and grab it without felling, likewise gathers all the cut down trees at one place which makes job easier for loaders and dump trucks.Dump trucks are used in construction sites to carry the material in larger quantities from one site to another site or to the dump yard. Generally, in big construction site, off-road dump trucks are used. These off-road dump trucks contains large wheels with huge space for materials which enables them to carry huge quantity of material in any type of ground conditions.Pile boring equipment is used to make bore holes in the construction site to install precast piles.Another heavy equipment used in construction site is pile driving equipment in case of pile foundation construction. This equipment lifts the pile and holds it in proper position and drives into the ground up to required depth. Different types of pile driving equipment are available namely, piling rigs, piling hammer, hammer guides etc. in any case the pile is driven into the ground by hammering the pile top which is done hydraulically or by dropping.
In 2018, people bought more construction equipment than ever, thanks to a growing number of commercial, residential, and industrial projects that require heavy-duty tools and machinery to get the job done. Whether you’re working hard at a construction site, conducting road maintenance on a busy highway, or searching for the right tool for your large-scale landscaping project, there is a piece of equipment out there to make the work both easier and safer.
In this guide, we’ll discuss some of the most common types of heavy equipment and their applications.
Articulated trucks are a type of heavy-duty dump truck that many praise for their versatility and adaptability. Unlike rigid haulers, articulated trucks consist of both a cab and a narrow trailer, or dump box. The two connect via a pivoting hinge. They are ideal for applications on challenging worksites with little to no paved roads, steep slopes, slippery or sandy surfaces, or low ceiling height.
You’ll find these at many types of job sites, including:
Always match an articulated truck rental or investment to the size and type of load it will be hauling.
Asphalt pavers are usually accompanied by dump trucks carrying asphalt, which moves the material into the paver. Once it’s full, the asphalt paver uses dispersion augers to disperse the asphalt across a leveled surface. Then, it rolls it flat with a hydraulic cylinder, creating a solid, stable place to drive or walk.
You can use these pavers to lay asphalt on places such as:
Asphalt pavers are available in a variety of paving widths and speeds.
A backhoe loader is a single piece of equipment that can function as either a backhoe, a tractor, or a loader. The durable backhoe is located on the back of the machine, while the loading mechanism is in the front. The central operating machine is the tractor.
Because it’s capable of handling so many different jobs, you can use a backhoe loader for things like:
Boom lifts are a type of aerial lift mechanism. You might have also heard of it referred to as a basket crane or cherry picker. These attachments allow workers to reach elevated work areas but are not limited to only industrial or construction projects.
They are versatile and used across a variety of industries, including:
There are several different types of boom lifts, including telescoping and articulating. Boom lifts are suitable for one or more workers at a time, depending on the size of the bucket or platform.
Cold planers are a type of heavy equipment for construction that utilize rotating drums and carbide cutters to mill pavement or asphalt. You can use a cold planer for either minimal or in-depth removal. Because pavement and asphalt milling creates a lot of dust, most cold planers utilize a water system to maintain a clean and safe work environment.
There are many reasons why one might use a cold planer to mill a roadway, such as:
Like most heavy-duty equipment, cold planers are available in various sizes to suit several types of projects. Smaller machines are easily navigable and suitable for minor milling projects, while large machines are more challenging to navigate but can tackle large-scale projects with ease.
Plate compactors use a heavy, vertically vibrating plate to crush and compact a surface into a level, flat area. The force behind the plate and the quick and repetitive movements work to break down and compact debris. In addition to industrial applications, you can also use a plate compactor to flatten an expanse of soil, sand, or gravel.
Depending on your application, choose between a single, reversible, or heavy-duty plate compactor:
You can use both a compact track loader and a multi-terrain loader to transport heavy worksite materials. The two machines look and function similarly, but they are not the same. Compact track loaders are intended for more rugged, heavy-duty use than a multi-terrain loader. However, that’s not to say a multi-terrain loader isn’t powerful or effective — it’s just better suited for terrains that require more care, like sod or turf, while the compact track loader can handle more challenging surfaces like rocks, mud, and sand.
While each offers an unparalleled level of versatility and traction, you must consider job site conditions when choosing a piece of loader equipment.
Bulldozers, also known as track-type tractors and crawlers, are critical pieces of machinery for several types of projects, including:
Dozers use a heavy-duty track to move with blades that can push rocks, building materials, debris, sand, snow, or dirt. There are a few different types of dozer blades, including the flat, edgeless straight blade, curved universal blade, and semi-universal combination blade.
Draglines are a type of large-scale excavator used for reaching extensive depths at surface mining sites, above ground excavation sites, and more. Draglines function using a tall boom arm equipped with wire-based drag and hoist ropes. These ropes work together to move an attached bucket to and from its point of application. Once in place, the dragline operator controls the bucket so it can collect and move debris by dragging it across the surface.
Because they are so tall and heavy, many draglines are assembled on the worksite rather than transported, though there are smaller models available.
Rotary blasthole drills are a type of heavy equipment used for drilling holes at mine sites. Autonomous drills are a growing trend among equipment handlers because they have built-in features that can help you complete projects quickly and safely.
For example, automated drills today might feature:
Non-automated drills offer just as much power, but these features can enhance the comfort and safety of your works as well as the overall productivity of the equipment.
Drum rollers — also known as compact rollers and road rollers — are machines used at worksites to smooth and level building terrain or roadways. They are immensely strong and can flatten surfaces quickly and effectively.
There are two types of rolling drums available:
Electric rope shovels are another piece of heavy equipment used almost explicitly at mining sites due to their ability to withstand rugged work conditions and easily relocate large quantities of overburden and ore. Because they are powered by electricity, there are far fewer moving parts to wear down over time. This means you won’t have to spend as much money or time maintaining or replacing critical areas of your equipment. Modern-day electric rope shovels are energy-efficient and easy to operate.
If you approach any construction site, chances are, you’ll find an excavator. These machines are robust and adaptable, making them a common fixture at large and small-scale projects. The excavator cabin — which you can rotate completely while in operation — is connected to a long arm and bucket, which you can use for excavating, demolishing, hauling, brush removal, and even forestry applications with certain attachments.
Excavators range in size, each suited for different applications:
You can use forklifts to move items short distances around a worksite or warehouse safely. There are several different types of forklifts to it any workplace scenario, including:
When choosing a forklift, always consider the weight and volume of the items you plan to use it with.
Hydraulic mining shovels use powerful hydraulic components for consistent, powerful digging and material moving at even the most challenging mine sites. Similar to electric rope shovels, hydraulic mining shovels are long-lasting and easy to use. Modern updates also make them safer and more ergonomic.
Motor graders, or road graders, have long, narrow blades, also known as moldboards. This moldboard is rotatable, with a cutting edge on the bottom to help cut and move terrain for things like:
Compared to bulldozers, motor graders are usually better suited for heavy roadwork projects that demand versatility. You must understand how to operate a motor grader before using one, as different actors impact performance. For example, the more lean you put on the wheels, the deeper a cut will typically be.
Off-highway trucks are a type of dump truck that offers heavy-duty hauling power for any type of harsh work environment. For this reason, they are a popular choice in mines, quarries, and large-scale construction sites that require efficient transport of bulk materials. Compared to traditional dump trucks, off-highway haulers can transport larger volumes of stone, soil, and other materials. Depending on what your project calls for, you could invest in an off-highway truck with multiple dump buckets to be even more efficient.
An aerial scissor lift is a type of mobile, elevated work platform that acts as a stronger and safer alternative to a standard ladder. Because scissor lifts are comprised of steel and a series of crossed beams and struts, they provide a stable work area for one or more workers.
They are excellent for the following applications:
If you have hard-to-reach areas in your work area, a scissor lift is just what you need.
A skid steer is a type of machine that you can use for anything from small-scale home projects to large-scale land management jobs. They are an asset to any worksite, thanks to the ability to connect different attachments to complete nearly any type of project.
For example, with the right attachments, you can use a skid steer loader for:
Skid steers are available in three different sizes: small, medium, and large.
Telehandlers are similar to forklifts but are better suited for outdoor applications or bulk material moving inside a warehouse. You can connect different boom attachments, such as buckets or lift platforms, making them a versatile piece of machinery to have on the worksite. There are several types of telehandlers to choose from, including different variations of lift height, load capacity, and frame size.
Have you ever had to race against the sun to complete an outdoor project? Towable light towers are the solution to this common occurrence. Light towers consist of a set of powerful lights attached to the top of a vertical beam, which is connected to some type of power generator or solar panel. The tower is easily portable, so you can take it with you from site to site and never worry about working in the dark. This keeps employees safer and increases the amount of available working time you have for a project.
Track loaders are heavy-duty machines intended for large-scale use. They are designed with large, moving tracks rather than wheels. This enables the machine to move effortlessly across rugged terrain, including hard-to-reach areas. You can use a track loader to move or push debris or materials, as well as in excavation and land clearing.
Underground mining loaders are very durable, low profile machines designed to make mining easier and faster. Mining loaders are similar to standard underground mining trucks, but with an attached bucket. They are crucial for any large-scale mining operation, as they allow you to haul and move materials safely. When choosing an underground mining loader, consider the size of your work area and the types of materials you work with.
Utility vehicles — or UTVs — are compact, motorized transportation and hauling solutions. They function similarly to a small truck and look similar to a sport vehicle — but don’t underestimate these machines. They are incredibly useful tools for a variety of purposes, such as:
Because UTVs are an integral part of many jobs and projects, you should focus on finding a machine that is both durable and comfortable to use. Today, UTVs have features like comfortable seating, quiet operation, adjustable steering columns, and spacious cabs.
Wheel excavators are similar to standard excavating machines, but instead of utilizing a track system, they have wheels. Because of this difference, wheel excavators offer less traction on challenging terrain but are still powerful, stable machines. One of the most significant advantages wheel excavators have over tracked excavators is the ability to drive it around the worksite.
Wheel loaders have a front-loading bucket you can use to move dirt and other materials. Compared to track loaders, these loaders are equipped with durable wheels, which makes it easy to navigate and drive across the worksite.
Different wheel loader attachments help this machine adapt to all of your project’s needs, including:
Wheel tractor-scrapers are a type of heavy equipment used in construction projects to scrape, move, and collect dirt, allowing you to grade and level the land.
Here’s how it works:
There are several types of wheel tractor-scrapers, including elevating, open bowl, push-pull, and tandem scrapers.
Are you looking to purchase or rent a piece of heavy construction equipment for your next job or project? Cashman Equipment is a full-service, family-owned and operated equipment provider that offers top-quality equipment and a team of dedicated professionals eager to help you get the most out of your machinery.
Contact us online to learn more about the uses of heavy construction equipment and which machinery is best for your worksite. You can also give us a call at 800-937-2326 or visit a location convenient to you.