The Most Common Types of Construction Equipment and Their Uses

The different types of construction equipment are categorized depending on the type of task they are used for. Commonly used machines for excavation and earth moving include bulldozers, skid steer loaders, backhoe loaders, trenchers, scrapers, graders and excavators. These pieces of heavy machinery are typically used to move large quantities of soil or other materials around a site.

Cranes and hoists can be used in lifting and transporting bulky items such as steel girders or pre-cast concrete elements onto a building site. Cranes can also be used to unload material from trucks or even lift workers into hard-to-reach areas. Boom lifts and scissor lifts provide vertical access for workers to complete tasks such as painting, cleaning or maintenance.

Concrete-related machines include concrete pumps, mixers and compactors, which are used for transferring, mixing and compressing large amounts of concrete. Smaller machines such as vibrators and trowels are also used in the application of finishing touches to a newly laid surface area.

Drilling machines are commonly known as pneumatic drills or rotary hammer drills. These pieces of equipment can be used to bore holes into walls or even excavate entire areas in order to lay foundations for buildings.

Finally, hauling vehicles such as dump trucks, flatbed trucks and trailers are necessary for transporting materials around a site from one place to another. This type of construction equipment also includes cranes which are used to lift and move heavy objects.

It is clear that different types of construction equipment play an integral role in the success of any building project. Without the use of these machines, it would be difficult to complete a structure in a reasonable amount of time. From excavating and hauling materials, to drilling, mixing and finishing concrete surfaces, there is no doubt that construction equipment has become a vital part of the industry.