Construction equipment range from the very heavy equipment to the portable and mobile lighter equipment, some of them with a precise description of their functions are detailed below.
Engineering equipment with a front bucket/shovel and a small backhoe in the rear combined with a tractor is known as backhoe loader. It is mostly used in small construction sites and in urban engineering such as fixing city roads.
A crawler, which is very powerful and attached with a blade, is called a bulldozer. Even though any heavy engineering vehicle is known as bulldozer, it is actually a tractor with a dozer blade.
Combat engineering vehicles are used for engineering work in the battlefield and for transporting sappers. They are mostly armoured vehicles.
A compact excavator is a wheeled or tracked vehicle with a backfill blade and swing boom. It is also known as mini excavator. The functions and movements of the machines are carried out by transferring hydraulic fluid. This makes a compact hydraulic excavator different from other construction equipment.
To compact gravel, dirt, asphalt and concrete in construction work and road laying a road roller which is also known as roller-compactor would be used.
A motorized cultivator with a rotating blade to work in the soil is known as rotary tiller. They are either drawn behind a tractor or self-propelled.
A crane is a derrick or tower equipped with pulleys and cables for lowering and lifting materials. The cranes used in construction industry are mostly temporary structures.
Dragline excavation systems are heavy equipment mostly used in surface mining and civil engineering. The smaller type of dragline excavator is used for port and road construction. The larger type dragline excavator is used in strip-mining operations for coal extraction.In the building industry, to make foundations, a drilling machine is used. It is also used in oil wells and water wells.
An excavator commonly known as a digger is an engineering vehicle, with a cab mounted on a rotating platform or pivot, and a backhoe on top of an undercarriage with wheels or tracks.
In untamed regions which are being reclaimed for construction, a feller buncher, a machine having an attachment, which fells trees, is used.
A forklift, lift truck or forklift truck is an industrial truck used to pick up and transport heavy material using steel forks under the material to be lifted. The most common usage of a forklift is to move materials stored on pallets.
A loader also known as a bucket loader, front-end loader, scoop loader, shovel, or front loader is a type of tractor using buckets, which can be tilted to lift and move material.
In the 1950s, Caterpillar added many new product lines aimed specifically at the construction side of its business interests.Rubber-tired self-propelled scrapers were introduced, along with track-type loaders in the early 1950s.By 1959, the company released its first rubber-tired front-end loader, the model 944A Traxcavator. The loader was first unveiled to the companys board of directors as the T101, at a special demonstration at its Phoenix Proving Ground in February 1956.
Though not a large machine, its standard bucket capacity of 2 cubic yards put it right in contention with a host of similar-sized machines from other construction equipment manufacturers.The unit’s four- wheel-drive drivetrain, rigid frame and rear steering wheels were design features well accepted in the industry.Caterpillar was looking for the perfect sized wheel loader design to get its latest product line off to a good sales start, and found it in the 944A.
But the model 944A was just the tip of the iceberg as far as Caterpillar was concerned. In 1960, the company introduced two more rigid frame wheel loaders to keep the 944A company.The model 922A was slightly smaller, carrying a 1 1/4-cubic-yard bucket. The other model, the 966A was larger than the 944A. It was equipped with a 2 3/4-cubic-yard bucket. All three of these loaders were sized for general contracting work. Big quarry and mining wheel loaders they were not.But Caterpillar was taking a cautious approach to this new market. The limited number of model types fielded in the first few years allowed the company time to gain market share.
Hiring a construction company to do a job for you is a very important decision. Hiring an inexperienced construction company might save you a few dollars, but when their shoddy workmanship comes apart a few years later and needs repairs it will end up costing you more in the long run, plus they probably didn’t give you any guarantee on their work for any number of years past the date they did the work. On the other hand, hiring a professional company usually costs a whole lot more. Here is a great guide that will help you to choose the best construction company for your next project.
1. Experience
It doesn’t matter if it’s a big company or a small one, if they have highly trained and veteran workers, they will probably be able to get the job done faster anyways and will less mistakes. If the construction company that you hire does not have experience, how will you ever know that they are doing the job right? The easiest way to determine if they have the knowledge and experience necessary is by asking for referrals or examples of projects that they have completed in the past. If a construction company can not provide you with these details, you may want to consider looking into another option.
2. Price
Price is also an important factor to consider when you are hiring a construction company. Just like any other service that is available, each construction company has a different set of fees that they work off of. After narrowing down your choice of companies based on your criteria, you will then want to determine that one offers the best price to go along with quality. Just remember that price is not the end all when it comes to hiring a construction company. You get what you pay for, and this can definitely ring true when it comes to the construction industry.
3. Deadlines
Many construction companies can be very busy, doing several projects at the same time. Make sure that the company you chooses has the resources and time to do the job right. You want to make sure that you hire a construction company that is not so overloaded with work that they cannot complete your job on time. You can ensure yourself of timely completion by simply outlining this in the contract. When you are interviewing prospective companies, make sure to ask them if they have the time necessary to complete your job. Give them your target completion date, and ask them if they can meet the deadline. The contract should clearly state what happens if they don’t manage to meet the deadline, for example, that they will at no additional charge complete the project as soon as possible.
Operating costs—the costs you incur once you turn the key and put the machine to work—include things such as fuel, tires or tracks, ground-engaging tools, preventive maintenance, and repair parts and labor. Sound decisions must be made on a day-to-day basis if operating costs are to be kept in line.high or increasing operating costs are entirely due to the age of the machine. True, older machines will break down more often and be more expensive. But how much of this increase in cost is due to age and how much is due to abuse, poor maintenance, and repairs that have not been as thorough as they could have been? Age is too often and too easily blamed for high operating costs. We need to look further.Most equipment managers break total operating costs into five major categories and develop budgets by unit, group or fleet for each category. Estimating and controlling operating costs is a complex operation that relies heavily on cost and machine history data. But the data is of little value for accurate decision-making without considering application and operation, and without breaking it down into at least the following main categories.
Fuel clearly comes first. It is surprising how many companies do not record the actual cost of fuel for individual machines despite the amount of money involved and the potential for loss. Others reconcile total fuel purchased on a job-by-job basis and allocate fuel cost to machines using a standard consumption formula, regardless of the fact that consumption will vary with different applications and operating conditions.
Companies that do collect accurate fuel usage data know that this reduces losses and provides an undeniable double check on the hours worked by the machine.
The effect of harsh application is more apparent on components such as ripper tips, cutting edges and buckets that are close to the work than it is on components such as turbochargers and hydraulic pumps that are insulated by being far up the power train. A harsh operating environment affects booms, sticks, frames and other structural components but failures in these areas are, in most cases, a sign of over-application.
Preventive maintenance is an investment rather than a cost. Preventive maintenance personnel are the equipment manager’s eyes and ears in the field, and the success of their operation is simply not negotiable. Systems must be in place to ensure that preventive maintenance is done to the required quality standards on time, every time. Preventive maintenance technicians and good operators form the first line of defense in the war against operating costs.
The first categories—fuel, wear parts, tires or undercarriage and preventive maintenance—share a common characteristic: They do not, by and large, increase with machine age. This is not true for repair parts and labor. Here, the increase in cost as the machine ages is the single most important factor in determining how long to keep the machine.
It is not uncommon to see a situation where the amount of money spent in the 4,000-hour period from 8,000 to 12,000 hours exceeds the entire expenditure for the first 8,000 hours. Believing that expenditure in this category can be managed by averaging costs over the life of the machine is a dangerous thing to do. Managers must focus on the rate at which repair and maintenance costs increase with age. This will give them important information regarding the economic life of a machine and will ensure that good money is not thrown after bad in an ongoing and ever more expensive attempt to keep the machine working.
The company of Case has done it again, by introducing yet another spectacular excavator, the CX700, which weighs in at 70 metric tons and represents a new size for Case, fitting perfectly between the CX460 and CX800 models. Case has also taken advantage of Tier 3 technologies and upgraded the CX330, increasing the power and improving fuel economy, all while adding features that will enhance comfort for the operator and simplify maintenance.
The CX700 is a powered by a high performance, fuel efficient Isuzu engine that is completely Tier 3 certified. With an operating weight of 153,400 lbs. and over 400 HP, the CX700 is capable of digging to 31 feet 11 inches with reaches up to 46 feet 11 inches. The frame for the CX700 is based on the larger CX800 to ensure optimum durability and reliability, especially given the powerful performance specs the machine calls for. New to the Case CX700 is a switch that will allow you to give priority to either the boom or the swing functions. The CX700 also offers retractable side frames and an optional counterweight removal device, which makes transporting easier than ever before.
The Isuzu engine that powers the CX700 is fully electronic and uses a high pressure rail system that provides a 5% increase in HP and also gives the excavator 10% better fuel economy. Several enhancements have been made to the CX330 upon releasing the CX700, including the overall reliability and durability of the machine, which includes the strength of the front idlers by beefing up the thickness and design of the center hub and improving the track seal design for increased life.
Several of the features that come standard with the CX700 are upgrades for the CX330 that will also be applied to other large Case excavator models that move forward. The key upgrades include ease of maintenance and servicing. Both the CX330 and CX700 models feature an easy maintenance system, lubricated bushings throughout the boom and arm, which provides extended lube periods of up to 1,000 hours. The engine oil filters are now mounted vertically in the pump house access area, which allows for easier access and servicing. The addition of a modified oil drain plug with a check valve will make it easier than ever to change oil. Both the CX330 and CX700 both offer finer fuel filtration, up to four microns, which provides increased uptime and improved fuel performance. The upgraded cooling system features a design that reduces the stacking of coolers for better cooling efficiency and also improves access to ease the removal of debris. In addition to this, the Case CX700 also features a hydraulically driven, thermostat controlled reversible fan for improving the cooling of the engine and easy clean out of the materials.
The construction business is booming and for many men and women it’s a perfect place to begin a career. There are many different job choices available in this industry and one is operating the large earth movers that pave the way for new homes and buildings to be built. If this is of interest to you, consider taking a course in heavy equipment training.
Most major cities are home to several companies that offer these types of courses. In fact, if you are interested in a position with a particular organization they may offer heavy equipment training as a bonus when you sign on for employment. They view this as not only a means to help their new recruits gain the knowledge they need to do an effective job, but the heavy equipment training is also a great way to avoid any future accidents that may occur.
Many incidents and accidents that do occur on the job site are caused by inexperience. When a person is responsible for operating a piece of heavy equipment and they lack the necessary knowledge, a problem can occur. This can lead to injury of the worker and their colleagues. Inexperience can also result in damage to expensive equipment.
A typical class that focuses on introducing individuals to the equipment and the operation of it will stretch over the course of several days or weeks. Although the equipment itself seems easy to operate, a big part of keeping everyone safe is dealing with any problems that may arise. Heavy equipment training includes instruction on any potential difficulties and how to best deal with them.
Part of the time spent in instruction will be practical and you’ll be able to operate the equipment with the instructor present. The other percentage of time is devoted to classroom instruction. They are both essential to understanding all of the mechanics of heavy equipment training. You’ll have the opportunity to ask the instructor any questions you have before you start working with the equipment at your place of employment. Many companies do still have a training period where a seasoned equipment operator works with new hires. This is helpful as well as it gives you time to understand your job responsibilities while at the same time having an experienced person nearby offering guidance.
Upon completion of the instruction you’ll receive a certificate. This is important as you can present it to any future employers to demonstrate that you have the fundamental skills needed to safely and effectively operate equipment in the construction industry. Heavy equipment training is essential if you are interested in a long and prosperous career in building.
Construction machinery performs multi various tasks mostly using hydraulic power. Some of the recent innovations in the construction machinery industry carry fully computerized hydraulic control systems, energy-saving measures and features needed for comfortable and efficient operation. With the current focus on environment, most of the construction machinery is geared to perform with less noise, less vibration and low emissions.
Mini excavators are meant for use in urban areas with a dense population. They are designed for efficient functioning in narrow jobsites with safety features such as tip-over protection, falling object protection to avoid the dangers involved in urban construction.
Large Excavators are mostly used in mining. In the mining industry, heavy loads are carried continuously, the large excavators are geared for non-stop performance with durability.
Cost-efficiency is one important factor in the mining industry, hence only an excavator that provides lowest cost per ton for material movement is ideal. To get significant savings, these large excavators need very low maintenance cost and a longer life.
Where mobility of operation is the important factor, wheeled excavators are the ideal construction equipment. They can work on any terrain and can be easily controlled in different terrains.
Wheel loaders come with various options which are designed for operational ease. The levers and pedals can be operated with minimum force to achieve better control. Visibility is the important factor for wheel loaders for comfortable operations. In construction sites, the hydraulic pump motor in the wheel loaders provides easy mobility.
Articulated dump trucks are mostly used in construction sites located in hilly terrains. Because of the sloping terrain, the operator in the cabin is provided with more visibility of the surrounding area. The truck comes with diagnostic display controls and warnings for malfunctions to provide safety.
Rubber crawler carriers are good for uneven and muddy construction locations. Even when carrying heavy loads, on soft ground conditions, these carriers should run smoothly to prevent accidents. At the same time when used on a paved road, they should not damage the surface of the road. Another factor to be noted is that the rubber crawler carrier should be able to pull out of hindrances and ditches in the construction site.
The backhoe loader is one of the most common pieces of heavy equipment on any size job site. The fact that it features two useful tools in one machine makes the backhoe loader a must-have for all kinds of construction and repair projects.
The standard backhoe consists of a diesel-powered, four-wheeled vehicle with the operator’s cab in the middle and a tool on each end. On the front, it has a loader: a wide bucket on dual arms that is used to either pick up loose piles of material or to push dirt back into a hole when a job is finished. The rear end has a backhoe — a hydraulic-powered digging scoop on a three-jointed arm, designed to dig through hard earth. The operator needs only to turn around in his seat to switch from digging a hole to filling it back up.
Digging and refilling holes and trenches is commonly required for all kinds of construction, utility work, and landscaping. The ability to exchange the backhoe or loader bucket for a different attachment gives you even more flexibility: crushers, retractable-bottom buckets, grinders, and other tools can handle a variety of other tasks. The combination of power, relatively small size, two common tools, and flexibility makes backhoe loaders extremely useful for contractors and construction firms of many types.
Considerations to Sale of Backhoe Loader
Part of backhoe loaders’ popularity is based on the fact that they fall in the middle of a range of digging and loading equipment, bringing more power than compact machines without the expense of full-sized excavators. You should consider whether a backhoe loader is the right choice for the bulk of your digging and earthmoving needs.
For smaller jobs and increased flexibility, the combination of a skid steer loader with a standard bucket and a mini excavator can sometimes work faster than a backhoe loader. It can be cheaper to buy the two smaller machines than one backhoe loader, but you’ll need an operator for each one and you’ll have more transportation and maintenance hassles. These mini machines are most valuable in very crowded conditions, and recent trends have many contractors replacing at least one backhoe with a mini excavator.
For high-end digging power, full sized excavators are the best choice. These massive tracked machines are only worthwhile if your application calls for ongoing digging: building foundations, for example. However, their size makes them less useful on cramped construction sites.
Backhoe loaders fill a very important middle ground, where having an excavator and loading bucket on one relatively compact machine is essential. They’re also much better at moving around large job sites or between sites — you can drive a backhoe on the road if need be, while excavators and skid steers have to be moved on trailers.
Choosing a backhoe loader
The first consideration when choosing a backhoe loader is how deep you’ll need it to dig. Full-sized backhoes can usually reach down 14 to 16 feet; compact backhoes can typically dig around eight to 10 feet deep. For full size machines, 14′ depths are by far the most common. Compact backhoe loaders are great if most of your work is less than 10′ deep — they’re less expensive, easier to maneuver, and easier to transport than full-sized backhoes.
On the other end, reach can be important: if you need to load dump trucks of a certain size, make sure the loader has an appropriate lift height to do the job. Lift capacity is similarly important: you’ll need to know how much weight your machine can handle. Keep in mind that capacity varies for the two tools — loaders typically have much greater capacities than backhoes.
One spec that you shouldn’t put too much emphasis on is horsepower. Engine horsepower doesn’t directly impact the capabilities of the attachments: digging and lifting are powered by the backhoe’s hydraulic systems, not the engine. You should be aware of horsepower ratings when comparing different models, but don’t let them drive your decision.
Bobcat
Bobcat skid steers provide enhanced visibility from a deluxe, enclosed cab with high-tech instrument panel. Two-speed travel provides speeds up to 7 mph in low or up to 12 mph in high range. An advanced control system provides a choice between hand or feet controls. You can also choose between ISO or H pattern joystick controls. Other features include ride control and the Power Bob-Tach mounting system that allows easy utilization of more than 60 job-matched attachments.
Volvo Construction
Volvo skid steers incorporate a one-piece mainframe and heavy-duty endless drive chains for added durability. They provide greater breakout force, standard auxiliary hydraulics and added visibility. Additional features include a wider cab with adjustable seat, long service intervals and easy access to service points.
Thomas Equipment
Thomas Equipment manufactures a complete line of skid steers, as well as mini-skid and track loaders. The units incorporate heavy, rugged construction and are built to take the daily abuse of heavy-duty work cycles without complaint. All models feature Kubota diesel power, as well as high ground speeds and breakout forces.
Case Construction Equipment
The new Case 400 Series skid steers come in five radial- and three vertical-lift models featuring an extra heavy-duty design, Tier II-certified engines, improved reliability and efficiency and ease of service. Models 430 and above have a two-speed option for quicker travel around the jobsite. An easy-tilt ROPS/cab facilitates serviceability. Other features include low-effort controls, improvements in auxiliary hydraulics and improved instrumentation.
Komatsu America
Komatsu skid steers are equipped with the patented Automatic Power Control (APC), HydrauMind hydraulics and standard two-speed transmission. APC allows the operator to work at full power during any phase of the job without concern for engine stall-out. The HydrauMind hydraulic system allows simultaneous machine functions without sacrificing speed, engine power or performance. Various options and features are also available.
Excavators, backhoe loaders, motor graders, and even compact equipment like skid steer loaders or mini excavators– it’s
easy to get buried in an avalanche of specs. Engine HP, hydraulic HP, dump heights, ground clearance, dig or dump depths – they can get to be overwhelming. It’s important to keep in mind that the performance of your heavy equipment depends quite a bit on the operator.Heavy equipment controls and ergonomics
One of the most important considerations when buying heavy equipment is visibility. It’s a safety concern, as well as important to efficient operation: the operator can’t avoid what he can’t see. During your test drive, pay attention to any areas of low visibility – particularly when using scoops or digging arms.
The control system is another central point to evaluate. Most new heavy equipment uses twin joystick controls, one that 
controls the overall movement of the vehicle and one that operates the hydraulics for the arm, scoop, or blade. These electronic or electro hydraulic controls require much less force to operate than mechanical controls of old – but if they’re too sensitive, smooth operation can be a real challenge.
That’s why heavy equipment manufacturers have introduced adjustable controls. These allow each operator to adjust the sensitivity and control pattern to match their own preferences. As part of the test drive, try different settings to gauge how effective the adjustments are.
Visibility and controls are two components of the overall ergonomics of the operator cab. Ergonomics refers to everything that goes into ease of operation and comfort for the operator. Even small extras like adjustable seats and good
lumbar support can make your operators more efficient in the long run.
Operator comfort is also greatly increased with enclosed cabs. Standard on some vehicles and an option on others, enclosed cabs let your operators concentrate on getting the job done – not the weather. For working in the chilly Northeastern winter or the sweltering Southern summer, an enclosed cab with heat and air conditioning is a huge boost to efficiency and operator efficiency.
One last tip on judging these operator-focused features: make sure you have an operator on hand to do the evaluation! While the CFO or equipment manager makes the purchasing decision, they’re not the ones who’ll actually be in the machine. Have one of your equipment operators come along to do the test drive – and get the real feedback from them afterwards.
Specs do count
Lastly, don’t think for a minute that those performance specs are completely irrelevant. If the excavator doesn’t dig deep enough, or if the wheel loader doesn’t reach high enough to fill your dump trucks, they’re simply not going to get the job done. Making sure the vehicle meets the basics specs required to handle your applications is always part of the heavy equipment buying process.
Chances are, you already know the importance of putting together a list of performance requirements before you purchase construction equipment. Don’t forget the external dimensions, too. If your equipment needs to fit on a trailer or in a garage, the overall width and height are important considerations. Gross weight of heavy equipment can also be a concern on trailers or small bridges.