Using heavy equipment for construction is already a part of many construction jobs, from homes to buildings, commercials and other civil construction. This is because heavy construction equipment is essential in earthwork, demolition, and construction. Before using any heavy construction equipment, there are things you need to know before using heavy equipment for a better and safe construction management.
Types of Heavy Equipment for Construction
There are different types of Heavy Equipment for Construction
1- Excavators
Excavators are usually driven by tracks or wheels and are very versatile in construction management. Excavators are usually used in heavy duty construction, such as huge buildings and commercials. The most common uses of an excavator are the following:
- Material handling
- Excavating holes and deep trenches
- Brush cutting
- Demolition of huge construction buildings and other civil foundations
- Rough grading
- Heavy lifting and pipe installation
- Mining
- River dredging
2- Bulldozers
Considered as one of the strongest and reliable heavy construction equipment to use, Bulldozers are powerful to move dirt along large and open land tracts. Bulldozers are operated using two hydraulic pistons to move its blade in a limited range and depth. This heavy equipment is very helpful in construction management since it pushes piles of the earth also used for rough or fine grading, depending on its size. A bulldozer is also used in crushing large boulders due to its weight.
3- Backhoe Loaders
This heavy equipment, which is quite similar to a farm tractor, are medium-sized heavy equipment which is commonly used in small construction projects. It has an adjustable shovel in front and a small bucket in the back used for digging heaps of dirt. Backhoe Loaders can be used to backfill excavations, dig holes and trenches, place pipes and other materials. Since it’s wheel-driven, this heavy equipment can be used in urban areas. Another feature of a Backhoe Loader is the bucket in the back can be changed to dig trenches, regardless of how wide they are.
4- Motor Graders
This heavy equipment is commonly used for fine grading and for moving small amounts of dirt. Motor Graders have a long blade used to create a flat surface and can be fitted with a second blade in front of the front axle to use it for underground mining. Motor Graders are commonly used in road construction, creating sloped surfaces and fix drainages.
5- Dump Trucks
Dump Trucks are essential when it comes to moving and dumping all kinds of heavy material. This heavy equipment is built to travel on the road, so it can transfer materials inside and outside of any sites and move the heavy materials anywhere. Dump Trucks comes in many sizes and capacity that will fit the constructor needs, from small utility trucks to large trucks which can be used in large construction projects and mining operations.
Things to note before using any Heavy Construction Equipment
- Workers should be trained with first aid and necessary safety measures to avoid accidents.
- Workers should be aware of their surroundings and do a visual inspection first before using any heavy equipment.
- Only use heavy equipment for intended purposes.
- Keep the construction area clear.
Using heavy equipment in construction is not only a skill but also a responsibility. With proper training and knowledge of handling heavy equipment, workers are assured with correct and safe construction management.