Types of Earthmoving Equipment and Their Areas of Application
Earthmoving equipment refers to specially designed heavy duty vehicles used to move piles of dirt, rocks, lumber or heavy boulders in construction and mining sites. There are different types of earthmoving equipment that serve different purposes. They also have different operating principles, making each one unique for a particular use. The main types of earthmovers you are likely to spot on construction sites these days are:
Backhoe Loaders
A backhoe loader resembles a conventional tractor. Back loaders have an adjustable shovel mounted on the front and a small bucket fixed on a movable arm fitted in the rear. The shovel is used to move soil over long tracks while the shovel helps in digging. Backhoe loaders are ideal for small construction jobs, especially in small areas with limited or restrained spaces. They can move soil, dig and backfill trenches. One of the greatest advantages backhoe loaders have is they run on rubber tyres. They can move freely within a commercial or residential area without damaging roads, pavements and patios.
Excavators
The name excavator is usually the first thing that comes to mind when talking about earthmoving equipment. An excavator is a heavy-duty construction equipment. It has a long hydraulic arm, which usually has a bucket attached to it. An excavator can have either rubber wheels or tracks. It has a unique cabin intelligently pivoted to rotate in any desired direction. You can find excavators mounted on tracks or wheels. Typical uses include digging and lifting heavy prefabricated items. You can also diversify its use by installing different utilities on its arm-like hydraulic hammers, which you can use for breaking rocks and various mining applications.
Bulldozers
Bulldozers, commonly referred to as crawlers, are heavy-duty vehicles fitted with large metal plates on the front. Bulldozers use the large fitted plates to push large heavy piles of rubble, dirt, rocks and other materials along open tracks of land. They are a common feature in heavy-duty construction sites. They clear sites, spread out piles of rubble or clear obstructions. Bulldozers have a low centre of gravity and balanced weight distribution, making them appropriate for leveling uneven sites.
Dump Trucks
These are heavy-duty trucks fitted with wide, high-traction tires and are used to move piles of rubble, rocks and dirt over distances more efficiently. Once all the required digging has been done, excavators load the dirt onto dump trucks, which then carry off the dirt to the appropriate dumping site. A dump truck has a hydraulic component for tipping off its rear-mounted container and emptying its load upon reaching its destination.
