Heavy Equipment Basics
The use of heavy equipment is an important part of residential, commercial, and roadway construction and maintenance operations.
This piece of heavy equipment would be classified as excavating equipment.
A variety of heavy equipment are used in construction and maintenance.
Types of Heavy Equipment
Heavy equipment can be grouped into several categories based on the type of work they are used for. Each type has a specific purpose on construction sites, road projects, and other heavy-duty operations.
- Excavating Equipment: Used to dig and remove soil, rocks, or debris. Common machines include backhoes, excavators, and trenchers.
- Lifting Equipment: Designed to raise and move heavy materials. Examples include cranes, hoists, and forklifts.
- Loading and Hauling Equipment: Used to transport large amounts of material around a job site. This includes wheel loaders, dump trucks, and skid steers.
- Compaction Equipment: Used to compress soil, gravel, or asphalt to increase stability. Common machines are rollers and compactors.
- Grading and Finishing Equipment: Helps level surfaces and shape terrain for construction. Motor graders and finishers are included in this category.
- Paving and Surface Treatment Equipment: Used to apply asphalt, concrete, or surface coatings for roads and pathways. This includes pavers, asphalt distributors, and surface finishers.
Depending upon their versatility, heavy equipment may be used for multiple purposes. For example, backhoes are normally used for excavating but they can also load the excavated materials into trucks.
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1-1. What is the main purpose of excavating equipment on a construction site?
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