Heavy construction equipment is vital to any civil, commercial, industrial, or residential project. It is used for a variety of tasks in large projects. The selection of different kinds of heavy equipment depends on the scope of the project and its economy. These make construction procedures simple and faster.
We’ve gathered the five most common types of heavy construction equipment and a brief explanation of their primary uses, which can be obtained through heavy equipment rental services.
Tower Cranes
Tower cranes are stationary cranes that are used for lifting purposes in the construction of tall buildings. This kind of equipment makes it simple to raise heavy objects to the necessary height, like frames, steel trusses, pre-stressed concrete blocks, etc.
The components of the crane include:
- Mast, which is the vertical tower for support
- Jib, which is the operational arm of the crane
- Counter jib, which is the other arm responsible for supporting the weight on the rear side of the crane
- A cabin where operators can control the crane.
Dragline Excavator
The dragline excavator is an essential equipment for big building projects in the construction industry. This heavy machinery, known for its long boom and versatile digging bucket, is commonly used for deep excavations due to its cable suspension.
These excavators help construct ports and perform challenging responsibilities like clearing silt from waterways or excavating underwater. Their design makes them essential for job sites since it allows for precision operations in uneven terrain and effective handling of heavy objects.
Large-scale construction projects benefit significantly from the precision and power these excavators bring to the site, increasing operational efficiency.
The dragline excavator plays a crucial role in shaping the infrastructure of cities and industries, ranging from river dredging to building foundations.
Compactors
Plate compactors condense a surface into a flat, smooth area by vibrating a heavy, vertical plate. The force behind the plate and the rapid and repetitive actions work to break down and compress debris. In addition to industrial applications, you can use a plate compactor to level a large dirt, sand, or gravel area.
Select a single, reversible, or heavy-duty plate compactor based on your application.
Single plate:
Single plate compactors are appropriate for small-scale asphalt or construction projects, like home renovations or installing sidewalks and driveways.
Reversible plate:
For projects that need more adaptability, reversible plates function in multiple orientations.
Heavy-duty plate:
Heavy-duty plate compactors are the ideal choice for large-scale industrial or roadway projects.
Loaders
There are two diverse kinds of loaders: track loaders and wheel loaders. A track loader would be an extra-large skid steer loader if such a thing existed. This construction equipment performs the same functions as a skid steer loader but on a larger scale and with a higher capacity. Their tracks distribute their weight evenly across the surface, reducing the probability of sinking into soft ground.
Wheel loaders are capable of doing the same jobs with wheels. This makes them similar to a backhoe loader, just deprived of the backhoe. Wheel-driven machines can lift and move faster than track loaders but can leave a mark on job sites due to their weight distribution.
Drills
Rotary blast hole drills are a form of heavy machinery used for drilling holes at mine sites. Autonomous drills are gaining popularity among equipment handlers due to their built-in features, enabling quick and safe project completion.
For example, automatic drills today may have:
- Depth tracking
- Built-in cameras
- Automatic leveling, retracting, and drilling
- HVAC systems to cool while reducing dust exposure
Non-automated drills provide the same power as automated drills but offer enhanced comfort, safety, and equipment productivity.
