What is considered heavy equipment in construction? Generally, heavy equipment refers to heavy-duty vehicles specifically designed for executing construction tasks, most frequently ones involving earthwork operations. They are also known as heavy machines, heavy trucks, construction equipment, engineering equipment, heavy vehicles, or heavy hydraulics. Each machine has a specific purpose and is integral to projects with diverse requirements that vary from excavating, grading, loading, lifting, digging, and drilling. Let’s explore different types of heavy construction equipment and how to choose the right heavy machinery construction equipment for your job site.
Boom Lift
A boom lift, also known as a cherry picker or man lift, is a type of aerial work platform that provides temporary access to inaccessible areas, usually at height. It features a platform or bucket at the end of a hydraulic lifting system. Boom lifts are often used in construction, window cleaning, painting, or maintenance tasks. They can also be equipped with additional attachments for different tasks, such as lifting heavy items.
Backhoe Loader
The backhoe loader, often simply called a backhoe, is one of the most common heavy equipment in construction settings worldwide.This machine comprises a tractor-like unit fitted with a loader-style shovel/bucket on the front and a backhoe on the back. It’s versatile, as it combines two powerful tools in one machine, making it ideal for digging trenches, lifting heavy materials, drilling holes, or even paving roads.
Pile Driver
The pile driver is used in foundation work at construction projects. Its primary function is to drive piles (poles) into soil to provide foundation support for buildings or other structures. The piles are forced into the ground by vertical pressure, either from weight and gravity, hydraulic systems, or even steam.
Crawler Dozers
Crawler dozers, often simply referred to as bulldozers, are highly versatile and indispensable pieces of heavy equipment in the construction industry. When evaluating a bulldozer vs digger (excavator), dozers are uniquely built for pushing large quantities of soil, sand, rubble, or other heavy material used in construction. They are characterized by a large, flat blade in front, which can be operated using hydraulic systems to push substantial amounts of debris around a construction site.
Crawler Loaders
Crawler loaders combine the capabilities of an excavator and a wheel loader into one versatile machine. Like crawler dozers, they move on tracks instead of wheels which gives them excellent stability and mobility in soft, uneven terrain. Equipped with a large bucket at the front, crawler loaders can excavate, move, and load material onto trucks or other machines.
Scraper Systems
Scraper systems, also known as scrapers, are large pieces of heavy machinery designed for earthmoving in construction and mining projects. They are ideal for digging, hauling, and leveling large quantities of soil. The scraper is a dual-purpose machine. It can load, haul, dump, and spread earth all in one pass, making it a highly efficient piece of heavy equipment.
A scraper system is made up of two main parts – a tractor and a wagon. The tractor moves the system, while the wagon (or the bowl) is where the dirt or material is stored. A horizontal front edge (the blade) cuts into the soil as the machine moves, filling the wagon.
Crusher
One of the biggest of heavy equipment, a crusher is a machine designed to reduce large rocks into smaller rocks, gravel, sand, or rock dust. Crushers may be used to reduce the size, or change the form, of waste materials so they can be more easily disposed of or recycled, or to reduce the size of a solid mix of raw materials so that pieces of different composition can be differentiated.
Trencher
A trencher is a type of construction equipment used to dig trenches, primarily for the installation of underground utilities. Trenchers can use different digging implements depending on the depth and hardness of the surface to be cut. Some trenchers are simple manual tools, while others are complex pieces of heavy equipment that can cut into asphalt, concrete, and hard soil.
Wheel Loaders
Also called front loaders or bucket loaders, these are large pieces of machinery used in construction. They can move large amounts of material over short distances, dig, and load trucks or conveyors. Wheel loaders are incredibly versatile thanks to their ability to accept various attachments, making them a staple in many construction projects.
Drum Roller
Also known as road rollers, drum rollers are used in the construction industry to compact soil, gravel, concrete, or asphalt in the construction of roads and foundations. They use the weight of the vehicle to compress the surface, and the force can be further increased by adding water or sand ballast to the drums. Some are also equipped with vibrating mechanisms to increase their effectiveness.
Articulated Dump Trucks
Articulated dump trucks are highly adaptable vehicles used in construction for hauling earth and rock. They have a two-piece design with a hinge between the cab and the dump box, allowing for excellent maneuverability. This design also enables them to operate efficiently on rough terrain, slopes, and in poor weather conditions.
Asphalt Paver
An asphalt paver is a piece of construction equipment used to lay asphalt on roads, bridges, parking lots, and other such places. It lays the asphalt flat and provides minor compaction before it is further compacted by a roller. Asphalt pavers are an essential tool for road construction and maintenance.
Telehandler
Telehandlers, or telescopic handlers, are multi-purpose machines that provide lift height and forward reach capabilities that exceed those of traditional forklifts. They feature an extendable boom and can be equipped with attachments for different tasks, such as a bucket, lift table, or muck grab. Telehandlers are often used in agriculture and industry for tasks that require high lift, such as material handling, and when used with a pallet fork, they can also serve as a forklift.
Wheel Tractor Scraper
A wheel tractor-scraper is a piece of heavy equipment used for earthmoving. The rear part has a vertically moveable hopper with a sharp horizontal front edge that can cut into the soil. The hopper can be hydraulically lowered and raised. When full, it is raised, closed, and the scraper can transport its load to the fill area where it is dumped.
Excavator
Excavators are large construction equipment that can be available over wheels or tracks; the latter is more common in challenging terrains. An excavator’s main work is to dig trenches, foundations, or holes. But with its many attachments, it can also handle material, perform demolition, landscaping, and even river dredging. Excavators come in various sizes, from mini-excavators suitable for residential work to massive machines used in large-scale civil or mining projects.
Tower Crane
Tower cranes are a common fixture at any major construction site. They’re pretty hard to miss they often rise hundreds of feet into the air and can reach out just as far. This type of crane is ideal for building tall buildings as it can lift and carry heavy objects, up to approximately 20 tons. The top part of the crane can rotate, providing a wide radius of action. The tower crane is fixed to the ground during construction and is often attached to the side of the structure being built.
Motor Grader
Motor graders, also known as road graders, are used for fine grading and for moving small amounts of dirt. They have a long blade that can be adjusted to meet certain angles to create a flat surface. This equipment can occasionally be used for certain types of mining, but it’s mainly used in road construction. It’s designed to flatten surfaces, such as roads and dirt.
Hydraulic Mining Shovels
Hydraulic mining shovels are massive pieces of equipment used to dig and load earth and minerals in large-scale mining operations. These shovels have powerful hydraulic systems that enable the machinery to lift large amounts of material and load it onto trucks or conveyors in a single scoop. They are designed to work in challenging conditions and can handle heavy-duty tasks with ease.
Concrete Mixer
These are best when amounts of concrete are needed. These mixers are used to mix cement, sand, and gravel into a workable, pourable mix. They can be stationary, powered by electric or fuel motors, or they can be mobile for on-site locations. Mixers often feature a revolving drum to mix the components and a chute to facilitate pouring the mixture.
Forklift
A forklift is a powered industrial truck used to lift and move materials over short distances. Forklifts are essential in warehouses and distribution centers, but they are also commonly found on construction sites, particularly for building large structures. These machines can move large and heavy objects with ease, making them indispensable for tasks that require moving materials around a job site or storing them in different locations.
Feller Buncher
A feller buncher is a type of harvester used in logging. This piece of equipment is a motorized vehicle with an attachment that can rapidly cut and gather several trees in the process of felling. There are two types of feller bunchers: single-grip and dual-grip. This type of machinery is often used in clearcutting and shelterwood logging operations.
Choosing the Right Construction Equipment The Benefits of a Professional Dealer
Dependability
By choosing a reputable dealer, you can trust that the heavy equipment you purchase has been thoroughly inspected and maintained to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
Wide Selection
Professional equipment dealers offer a broad range of machinery, allowing you to choose the perfect equipment for your specific project needs. Whether you need excavators, wheel loaders, or compact track loaders, a professional dealer will have a wide variety to choose from.
Expert Advice
Professional dealers have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field. They can provide invaluable advice on the best type of machinery for your projects, how to maintain the equipment, and even offer operator training services.
After-Sales Support
One of the main advantages of buying from a professional dealer is the after-sales support. This includes parts availability, servicing, and repairs. This support ensures your heavy equipment remains in the best possible condition, maximizing uptime and productivity.
Financing Options
Professional dealers often offer flexible financing options, allowing you to manage your budget and cash flow effectively. This can make the difference between being able to take on a new project and having to pass it up.
Contact Five Star Equipment to Find the Best Used Construction Equipment for Your Project
At Five Star Equipment, we are committed to providing the best used construction equipment that suits a wide range of needs. Our team is dedicated to helping you choose the best machinery for your specific requirements.
Whether you are embarking on a small residential project or a large-scale commercial construction, we have the equipment you need. Our range includes backhoe loaders, dump trucks, compact track loaders, trenchers, wheel loaders, and much more.
Our used construction equipment is thoroughly inspected and maintained to ensure its reliability and performance. We also provide extensive after-sales support, including parts and servicing. We also understand the importance of minimizing downtime, and our team is always on hand to provide fast, efficient support. Use this construction equipment buying guide to shop our selection, or get in touch with us to learn more about our used heavy equipment.
