Earthmoving is not an easy job, and contractors need to use the right equipment to get the job done correctly. Thankfully, there is a wide variety of heavy earthmoving machinery that contractors can choose from, depending on the needs of your job.
Here's a breakdown at some common types of earthmoving equipment that can be found on the construction market, and the kind of jobs they are suitable for.
- Excavators: When it comes to earthmoving jobs, excavators are a standard choice because they come in different sizes, making it easy for contractors to find a suitable machine for each job, be it small, medium or large. The smallest excavators, which are called compact or mini excavators, are ideal for use in small spaces where larger machines cannot be easily manouevred; large excavators are favoured for large jobs to be performed in big, open spaces; finally, mid-sized excavators are used for jobs that fall in between.
- Crawlers: Commonly referred to as bulldozers, crawlers are revered for their tremendous power. As a matter of fact, they are considered to be one of the most powerful and reliable earthmoving machines available in the construction world. Crawlers have a large, flat plate or blade at the front end that can be used to push dirt or large amounts of debris along open stretches of land. The sheer weight of the machines can be used to crush larger rocks at construction sites.
- Scrapers: Just like crawlers, these earthmoving machines are extremely powerful, are built for large jobs and are used in open spaces, but they adapt much better to challenging site conditions. They work well in wet and rocky soils, which may prove to be difficult to move on using crawlers and other types of earthmoving equipment. Additionally, scrapers can be powered by multiple engines to improve operating performance to levels that may not be achievable with alternative machines.
- Trenchers: As the name implies, these earthmoving machines are used for digging trenches at the construction site. Like excavators, trenchers are available in different sizes and models, including walk-behinds, ride-ons and trailer-pulled versions. Contractors can choose a machine that suits the needs of their jobs from the available options. A variety of digging implements can be attached to trenchers based on the desired trench depth and the hardness of the material to be cut.
There are other types of heavy construction equipment that can be used for earthmoving jobs. These are just but a few that are available for construction contractors to use. All types of earthmoving equipment must be operated by trained and experienced operators because the equipment can cause serious safety hazards if not handled well.
