Earthmoving equipment, also known as excavators, are used to move the soil, earth, or rocks from one place to another. These heavy machinery can be custom-made to fit specific purposes such as material handling, mining, demolition, construction, or other needs.
According to Dobson, a leading excavation company, earthmoving equipment offers many benefits. In this article, we dive into the types of earthmoving benefits as well as their uses.
Types of Earthmoving Equipment
There are many types of earthmoving equipment. However, the commonest four are:
- Excavators
- Backhoe loaders
- Bulldozers
- Dump Trucks
Excavators
Excavators, as the name suggests, are a more efficient replacement for manual earth-digging practices. They are economical, mechanical and are driven by heavy-duty trucks with fitted wheels for unstable terrains.
Excavators are equipped with long arms and large buckets, which makes it easier to collect earth and scoop it out from its collection point. The machinery also has a full 360 swing capacity, allowing for improved visibility as the operator works on the desired land area.
Excavators are also equipped with hinges allowing buckets to be swapped for other tool heads like drills, rakes, and more.
Backhoe Loader
Backhoe loaders, commonly called backhoes, are much more versatile than excavators. The medium-sized, tractor-like equipment comes with an adjustable shovel in the front and a bucket at the back.
This earthmoving equipment is designed and optimized for effective digging and earth collection. It is also equipped with a wheel that allows for more precise maneuvering, thus perfect for use in open expanses of land as well as in crowded urban areas.
Bulldozers
Bulldozers are among the commonest earthmoving equipment because they are a common part of many construction projects. They are often used in demolition projects to remove structures and level buildings. They can also be used to move and grade soil across an expanse of land.
Bulldozers are equipped with a large blade in front that can be adjusted by mechanical or electrical responses to achieve desired tasks. The extreme size and weight can also be leveraged to crush large earth and boulders.
Dump Trucks
Dump trucks are an add-on to the excavation process, especially because they do not participate directly in the excavation. However, they are essential for moving earth or soil from the excavation site to specific disposal sites.
Dump trucks make clearing excavated sites easier because they can carry tons of the excavated land in one trip (depending on the truck’s size).
Uses of Earthmoving Equipment
Earthmoving equipment can be used for many tasks, including construction and non-construction-related projects. Below are some uses.
Excavation:
Earthmoving equipment, such as excavators and backhoes, are used to dig and remove soil and rock from construction sites, creating foundations for buildings, roads, bridges, and other structures.
Grading and Leveling:
Equipment like graders can be used for ground leveling to ensure a smooth and even surface for construction projects, roads, and sports fields. This can also be used for preparing land for landscaping projects like lawns, retaining walls, etc.
Landscaping:
Earthmoving equipment is often used for landscaping tasks like pond construction, digging of trenches, and terracing or land reshaping for gardening and agricultural purposes.
Mining:
Large-scale mining operations rely heavily on earthmoving equipment, like bulldozers, loaders, and haul trucks, to extract valuable minerals and ores from the earth.
Demolition:
Demolitions are a major part of construction works, especially remodels and building repurposing. Earthmoving equipment can play a major role in removing old and unwanted structures to create a plain canvas upon which new structures are erected. The equipment can also be used for removing debris and clearing the site for new construction.
Material Handling:
Equipment like loaders and dump trucks are used to transport materials within construction sites or mining operations, making the process more efficient.
Road Construction:
Earthmoving equipment plays a crucial role in building roads and highways, from initial ground preparation to the final layers of asphalt or concrete.
Trenching:
Earthmoving equipment are great for installing utilities that need to be buried deep within the earth. Trenching jobs like laying utility lines for water pipes, sewer pipes, or electrical cables can be done quickly and accurately with earthmoving equipment.
Dredging:
Earthmoving equipment like dredgers is used to remove sediment and debris from bodies of water, keeping harbors, rivers, and channels navigable.
Erosion Control:
In areas prone to erosion, earthmoving equipment can be used to build retaining walls, terraces, and other structures to prevent soil erosion.
Snow Removal:
In regions with heavy snowfall, specialized earthmoving equipment like snowplows and snow blowers are used to clear roads and highways.
Waste Management:
Landfills use earthmoving equipment to manage and compact waste, ensuring efficient use of available space and minimizing environmental impact.