Earth Moving Equipment – Further Information
The carrying capacity of a single human is limited, and throughout history the need for ever larger earth moving equipment has increased due to constant growth and development across the planet. From small landscaping companies who may use a mini digger, to large mining organisations and their need for immense dump trucks, earth moving is an immensely diverse industry. Companies such as Caterpillar attempt to offer a wide range of versatile equipment that can be used for many different tasks.
Bulldozers
The bulldozer is an common sight in any earth moving operation, from a small tractor size which can aid in landscaping, to the large military capacity bulldozers which are used to clear minefields, demolish buildings and remove rubble. They are manufactured by a wide variety of companies, the most notable being Caterpillar, Komatsu, Fiat-Allis, Case, Terex, Liedbherr and JCB. The bulldozer is a resourceful machine that continues to be one of the most prominent features of any earth moving operation.
Bulldozers have the alternative movement methods of tracks which have increased traction and offer better balance, or wheels which promote mobility and allow for greater speeds. They also come with a variety of different blades of differing shapes and sizes for different jobs. A Standard S blade is shorter and flatter with no wings on the edges, whereas a U blade is curved and taller with side wings, more useful in moving rubble as opposed to cutting through rock and soil to level an area. An S-U Blade is a combination of the two.
Dump Trucks
A vast number of manufacturers such as Volvo and Mitsubishi produce dump trucks. Although their primary function is the transportation of large amounts of material, dumper trucks come in a variety of sizes and shapes for specific operations. An increased number of trailers, articulated steering, bottom, side and rear dumping, and a variety of sizes means that the dump truck is easily the best method to transport rubble, ore, gravel and sand amongst other materials.
Excavators
Excavators are quickly becoming the most popular form of earth moving machinery. Due to the development of advanced hydraulics and interchangeable shovel attachments they can be used to dig drainage ditches and foundations as well as pick up and transport rubble or other materials to a dump or load it into dump trucks.
Scrapers and Graders
Scrapers and graders have similar uses although a scraper is capable of removing layers of earth and storing the soil to be dumped later. A grader on the other hand cannot store the earth, however they are more mobile and have a greater range of movement in the blade which allows them to grade slopes and even v-shaped ditches.
Track Loaders and Wheel Loaders
The collection and movement of rubble, in the absence of an excavator is done with track or wheel loaders. These are merely bulldozers with a scoop as opposed to a blade attachment which allows them to collect and move rubble to a dump truck or other location. The use of tracks or wheels is the main differentiation between the two types.