Heavy Machines That Are a Must-have for Any Construction Company

By
IntelligentHQ

Different types of heavy construction machinery are available, each with its own set of uses. As a company evaluates the kind of project that they would take on, they can decide that it’s time to add to their fleet. Some pieces of equipment serve one specific role, while there are others whose roles overlap.

Here are the most common types of heavy equipment that every construction must have.

Heavy Machines That Are a Must-have for Any Construction Company

1. Excavators

These are large construction equipment that can be accessed via wheels or tracks. The latter is considered the standard in the construction industry. They can rotate a full 360 degrees. The operator sits in the cab, and she/he can see the site from the cab.

The most common uses of excavators are;

  • Digging of trenches, holes, and foundations
  • Material Handling
  • Demolition
  • Rough grading
  • Heavy lifting and pipe installation
  • Mining

2. A crane

A crane is a powerful machine used in construction to lift, lower, and move heavy materials horizontally. It consists of a hoist, ropes, chains, and a powerful motor, enabling it to handle loads too heavy for manual labor. Cranes are essential on construction sites for transporting steel beams, concrete, and other building materials to different heights and locations. They come in various types, including tower, mobile, and overhead cranes, each suited for specific construction needs. One you learn how to operate a tower crane, you will notice how they can significantly increase efficiency, safety, and productivity in large-scale construction projects.

3. Motor Graders

Motor graders are heavy equipment used to fine-grade and move a small amount of dirt. Their long blades can be adjusted to meet specific angles required to create a flat surface.

It can also have a second blade in front of the front axle and, in some cases, be used for underground mining. Graders are generally used to fine-grade dirt or gravel roads or to prepare the base course before placing asphalt. They can also be used to produce sloped surfaces or drainage stitches with shallow V-shaped cross-sections.

4. Bulldozers

This is one of the strongest and most reliable pieces of equipment used in the construction industry. A bulldozer is a powerful and heavy equipment used to move dirt along large open tracts of land. It has a wide flat blade in front that is operated using two hydraulic pistons, allowing the blade to be moved in limited depths.

There are two different types of dozers: track dozers and wheel dozers. Both provide the same functions, but their navigation is different. The track dozers spread the weight of this machine evenly over the larger tracks, while the wheel dozers have large tyres and can move up to three times faster than the track dozers.

5. Skid-Steer Loaders

This machine is among the most versatile in the construction industry. It is simple to operate and can turn within its own footprint, just like a tank. This makes it ideal in confined spaces or in areas where the construction activities have been finalized.

Skid steer loaders have wheels and can provide increased traction. They are ideal in snow or mud, reduce soil compaction, and prevent damage to finished areas through their tread system.

6. Backhoe Loaders

Backhoe loaders are similar to tractors with a slight difference. They have an adjustable shovel in front of them and a small bucket in the back, which is used for digging. This equipment is considered medium-sized construction equipment for smaller jobs, with limited space to perform the operations. They are mainly used to move dirt, dig trenches, backfill, and place smaller pipes.

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